Kalle Rovanpera eyeing WRC fightback at Safari Rally Kenya

Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera is hopeful he can deliver a good result he “really needs” at this week’s Safari Rally Kenya to ignite his World Rally Championship title bid.

The Toyota driver has admitted his start to the season “has not been the easiest” having so far struggled to adapt to the WRC’s new Hankook new-for-2025 control tyres.

Tipped as the favourite to snare a third world title this year, Rovanpera is yet to trouble the podium after finishing fourth on asphalt at the Monte Carlo season opener in January, followed by a fifth on Sweden’s snow stages last month.

On each occasion the Finn has openly stated that his driving style doesn’t suit the new rubber, and has had to adapt his natural approach to unlock the potential from the new tyres. In Kenya, Rovanpera will compete utilising Hankook’s gravel tyres on the first loose surface event of the season.

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team

Despite the struggles, Rovanpera heads to the toughest rally on the WRC calendar sitting third in the championship, but is already 30 points adrift of team-mate and championship leader Elfyn Evans, and eager to close the gap.

“Now we go on gravel a new tyre again and something new to learn,” said Rovanpera, who has won two of the last four editions of the Safari Rally.

“It has not been the easiest start to our season, but we’re not too far from the fight and now we move onto gravel, it’s a new chance to to start to push harder and try to get back in the fight.

“The team has been really strong so far, and we just need to put all the pieces together on our end and then of course we can be really strong also and hopefully we can continue with the same pace of as the whole team.”

Rovanpera has since offered some positive feedback regarding the gravel tyres following an pre-event test in southern Europe.

“The test last week was really important to try some different things and to find a good feeling with the car and tyres on gravel,” he said.

“The Safari is definitely one of the most special rallies in the season. It’s always really cool to go there and we’ll try to do another good result, as we really need that this year. It’s a hard rally to predict but we’ll try to push really hard and do our best.”

Speaking following Rally Sweden, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala was confident the gravel tyres will be more to his star driver’s liking.

“I understand that the gravel [tyre] will maybe be more suitable for Kalle. I think on gravel he will be okay,” said Latvala.

Latvala however won’t be on the ground in Kenya due to clashing commitments, meaning four-time (1986-87, 1991,1993) world rally champion and deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen will take over the former’s duties for the first time this season.

“It is really cool to have Juha at the Safari Rally. I’m really good friends with him and of course he has a crazy amount of experience,” added Rovanpera.

“It is cool to see him there and I think he always brings really positive feeling and I think we can work together with him really well.”

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