Rovanpera Opens Up: Circuit Racing Priority, WRC Not an Option

Kalle Rovanpera has finally spoken out about his future. The Finn, who sensationally stepped away from the World Rally Championship at the end of last season to pursue a new dream in circuit racing, has made it clear he still wants to race on asphalt, not return to WRC.

Rovanpera, fully supported by Toyota, was due to compete in Japan's Super Formula series this year, but health issues forced him to miss the entire campaign. Now, after recovering, he is back behind the wheel and recently performed a demonstration run on the Harju stage at Rally Finland with his long-time co-driver Jonne Halttunen.

The "Flying Finn" admitted all options are still open, but he will talk to Toyota first to decide his next step. "Right now, everything is open and we'll see where things lead. Next I'll speak with Toyota to understand what they want and see whether that matches my own ideas," he told Motorsport aktuell.

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According to Rovanpera, single-seater racing remains his primary goal. "I don't like giving up, so that's naturally still high on my list. I'm not getting any younger either," he said. "Things came together quite quickly for me in the junior single-seater categories. The other question is whether Toyota wants us to give it another try together."

On the other hand, he does not see a return to WRC as an attractive option. The long season, endless preparation, and intensive rally weekends do not particularly appeal to him, even though he still loves driving rally cars. Another tempting option is endurance or GT racing. In 2024, Rovanpera enjoyed success in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux with a Porsche 911 GT3.

Veteran rally journalist Reiner Kuhn asked Rovanpera whether he would be interested in racing a GT3 or GT4 car on the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife. "Definitely. That would be right up my street," Rovanpera replied. "GT4 is more for drivers coming up through the ranks, so it's not really my thing. I drive much more serious machinery in drifting. But GT3 and the Nordschleife – now that would be something. Like many others, I've already driven a few laps there during the public sessions."

Interestingly, this year's Nurburgring 24 Hours featured F1 superstar Max Verstappen behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, while Rovanpera's former Toyota team-mate Sebastien Ogier attended as a spectator. Ogier also has a strong interest in circuit racing. The pair could one day form their own team to compete at the Nurburgring in a GT3 car. "It would be a great idea, but the decision isn't mine to make. A GT3 car is probably the closest thing to a Rally1 car on asphalt. I'd be in – and I think Seb would too," Rovanpera said.