Kalle Rovanperä
{{Short description|Finnish rally driver (born 2000)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox racing driver
| name = Kalle Rovanperä
| image = 2023 Central European Rally - Rovanperä 01 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Rovanperä at the 2023 Central European Rally
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|10|01|df=y}}
| birth_place = Jyväskylä, Finland
| related to = Harri Rovanperä (father)
| career template1 =
{{Infobox WRC driver
| subbox = yes
| Years = {{WRC|2017}}–present
| Co-driver = Jonne Halttunen
| Teams = Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
| Races = 75
| Championships = 2 ({{WRC|2022}}, {{WRC|2023}})
| Wins = 15
| Podiums = 25
| Stagewins = 223
| Points = 894
| First race = 2017 Wales Rally GB
| First win = 2021 Rally Estonia
| Last win = 2024 Rally Chile
| Last race = 2025 Safari Rally
}}
}}
Kalle Rovanperä ({{IPA|fi|ˈkɑlːe ˈroʋɑnˌperæ|lang}}; born 1 October 2000) is a Finnish professional rally driver who competes in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen. He is a double World Champion, having won the 2022 and 2023 World Championships back to back. As the son of former WRC driver Harri Rovanperä, he garnered international attention by starting rallying at an exceptionally young age.
Rovanperä won two titles in Latvia, before making his WRC debut in {{WRC|2017}}. He won the World Rally Championship-2 Pro in 2019, and was promoted to the top tier by Toyota as their works driver in {{WRC|2020}}. In {{WRC|2021}}, Rovanperä became the youngest driver to win a World Rally Championship event by winning the 2021 Rally Estonia. In {{WRC|2022}}, he became the youngest ever World Champion after winning the 2022 Rally New Zealand a day after his 22nd birthday.
Early life and background
Rovanperä was born in Jyväskylä, Central Finland.{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/athlete/kalle-rovanpera|title=Kalle Rovanperä|work=Red Bull GmbH|access-date=29 October 2022}} He is the son of former WRC driver Harri Rovanperä, who was a factory driver for several teams and won a WRC round in Sweden in {{WRC|2001}}.{{cite news|title=Rovanpera hits big time in Sweden|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_rally_2001/1163662.stm|work=BBC|date=11 February 2001|access-date=23 January 2008}} He garnered international attention at the age of eight, when footage of him driving a rally car was uploaded to the Internet, and participated his first rally at just ten years old.{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/athlete/kalle-rovanpera|title=Kalle Rovanperä|work=Red Bull|access-date=6 January 2023}} Prior to his participation in the professional championships, he was coached by many compatriots, including Esapekka Lappi, who commented that a young Rovanperä already knew as much as him.{{cite news|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/we-are-f-in-the-future-lappi-on-a-young-rovanpera/|title='We are f***** in the future' – Lappi on a young Rovanperä|first=Alasdair|last=Lindsay|website=dirtfish.com|date=6 October 2022|access-date=29 October 2022}}
Rally Career
=2015–2017: Success in Latvia, two other national series, ERC and WRC debut=
In 2015, at the age of 14, Rovanperä competed in Latvia where having a driver's license is not a requirement to take part in rallying.{{cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/2014101718755514|title=Tässä tulee toisen polven rallivirtuoosi! – katso video|language=fi-FI|date=17 October 2014|access-date=26 October 2017}}{{cite news|title=Oliver Solberg: Rally Liepāja almost feels like home rally|url=https://www.autorally.lv/?l=6&r=175&m=1&no=1463|website=autorally.lv|date=29 May 2019|access-date=29 October 2022}} He won the Latvian rally championship with his Citroën C2 R2 Max car in the R2 class.{{cite news|url=https://www.is.fi/ralli/art-2000001021115.html|title=Suomalainen Kalle, 15, näytti kokeneille kuskeille mallia – voitti rallimestaruuden ja ällistytti legendaarisen isänsä|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Mika|last=Räty|date=18 October 2015|access-date=26 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/motorsport/watch-13-year-old-rallyist-scare-someone-stupid|title=Watch a 13-year-old rallyist scare someone stupid|website=Top Gear|date=29 July 2014|access-date=26 October 2017}}
For the first three rallies of the 2016 Latvian rally series, Rovanperä drove a {{cvt|300|hp|disp=flip}} four-wheel-drive Škoda Fabia S2000, which was a completely new WRC-2 class rally car with a two-litre naturally aspirated engine.{{cite news|url=https://www.is.fi/ralli/art-2000001051313.html|title=15-vuotiaan suomalaisen rallisensaation jatko selvillä: "keskoskaappi" vaihtuu uuteen 300-hevosvoimaiseen tykkiin|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Mika|last=Räty|date=14 December 2015|access-date=26 October 2017}} He won the first rally, setting the fastest time at every stage.{{cite news|title=Kalle Rovanperä, 15, ylivoimaiseen rallivoittoon – tyrmäsi muut kuskit!|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/2016011720972313|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Joonas|last=Partanen|date=17 January 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} He finished as the runner-up the second rally despite a power steering issue.{{cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/2016012421009539|title=Kalle Rovanperältä, 15, aivan uskomaton nousu! Ajoi taas voittoon|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Lauri|last=Markkanen|date=26 January 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} Rovanperä switched to a new Škoda Fabia R5 following another second-place finish in the Kurzeme rally.{{cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/2016082922237178|title=Suomalainen 15-vuotias superlupaus ylivoimaiseen rallivoittoon – "Auto kulki kevyesti"|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Mikko|last=Hyytiä|date=29 August 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} He scored four more podiums, including two victories for the rest of the season.{{cite web|title=Kalle Rovanperä Latvia|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/45827-kalle-rovanpera/56|website=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}} Rovanperä eventually won the championship and became the youngest driver ever to win a national open class rally championship in any country at the age of 16.{{cite news|title=Kalle Rovanperällä, 16, uskomaton vuosi – kausi päättyi mestaruuteen!|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/2016102322507824|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Harri|last=Hepojärvi|date=23 October 2016|access-date=26 October 2017}}
In January 2017, the Finnish motorsport association AKK-Motorsport granted a 16-year-old Rovanperä special permission to take part in Finnish rally races and the Ralli SM national championship series.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-9433272|title=AKK myönsi poikkeusluvan – alaikäinen Kalle Rovanperä saa osallistua Suomen rallikilpailuihin|language=fi-FI|website=yle.fi|first=Sanna|last=Savela|date=31 January 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} In addition to entering the rallies in the Finnish Rally Championship, he also participated in two other national championships: Latvia and Italy.{{cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/201706012200174262|title=Kalle Rovanperällä, 16, kova haaste – vastustajat eivät tarvitse ollenkaan nuotteja|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Vesa|last=Parviainen|date=2 June 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} Rovanperä also made his European Rally Championship debut in 2017 by entering the Rally Liepāja, where he finished second overall.{{cite web|title=Kalle Rovanperä|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/45827-kalle-rovanpera/6|website=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}} He also successfully defended his title in Latvia by finishing every rally on the podium.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-9872165|title=Rovanperä porhalsi kakkoseksi EM-rallissa|language=fi-FI|website=yle.fi|first=Matti|last=Lehtisaari|date=8 October 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}}
Having acquired his driving licence, Rovanperä made his WRC debut at the 2017 Wales Rally GB, driving an M-Sport-entered Ford Fiesta R5,{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc-2/wrc-2--rovanperae-makes-his-debut/|title=WRC 2: Rovanperä makes his debut|website=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=25 October 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} as well as competing at the 2017 Rally Australia.{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-9871187|title=Kalle Rovanperä hurjassa lyönnissä EM-rallissa! Voittotaistossa tekniikkaongelmista huolimatta|language=fi-FI|website=yle.fi|first=Roope|last=Visuri|date=7 October 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} He won the event in the WRC-2 category, becoming the youngest winner of a WRC-2 round, though he was the only contestant in the class.{{cite news|url=https://clubs1.net/2017/11/20/kalle-rovanpera-makes-history-australia/|title=Kalle Rovanperä makes history in Australia|website=clubs1.net|first=Morrigan|last=Quinn|date=20 October 2022|access-date=11 October 2022}}
=2018–2019: Steady improvement and WRC-2 Pro crown=
File:Kalle Rovanperä Rally Finland 2018 Ruuhimäki.JPG]]
Rovanperä joined Škoda Motorsport for the 2018 season.{{cite news|url=https://us.motorsport.com/wrc/news/rovanpera-joins-skoda-for-2018-wrc2-campaign-988100/1383167/|title=Rovanpera joins Skoda for 2018 WRC2 campaign|first=David|last=Evans|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=13 December 2017|access-date=29 October 2022}} He recorded two victories at the 2018 Wales Rally GB and the 2018 Rally Catalunya,{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2018/october-2018/wrc-2-spain-sunday/page/5853--51-51-.html|title=WRC 2 in Britain: Rovanperä takes comfortablw win|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=7 October 2018|access-date=5 June 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2018/october-2018/wrc-2-spain-sunday/page/5853--51-51-.html|title=WRC 2 in Spanin: Rovanperä Nets Masterful win|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=28 October 2018|access-date=29 October 2018}} completing the championship third.{{cite web|title=WRC-2 Season 2018|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2018/222-wrc2/|website=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}} Rovanperä also contested some events in the Asia Pacific Championship series.{{cite news|url=http://urheiluuutiset.com/rovanperan-kausi-kaynnistyy-monte-carlosta-gardemeisterin-tallin-kalustolla/|title=Rovanperän kausi käynnistyy Monte Carlosta – Gardemeisterin tallin kalustolla!|language=fi-FI|website=urheiluuutiset.com|first=Jari|last=Hotti|date=12 December 2017|access-date=29 October 2022}}
Rovanperä was retained by the team for the 2019 season.{{cite news|title=Skoda Motorsport scales back for 2019 WRC2 season, Tidemand exits|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140394/skoda-slims-to-twocar-wrc2-entry-in-2019|first=David|last=Evans|work=Autosport|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=28 November 2018|access-date=9 December 2018}} He took his first victory of the season at the 2019 Rally Chile,{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/may-2019/rally-chile-wrc-2-day-3/page/6340--51-51-.html|title=WRC 2 in Chile: Rovanperä seals Pro win|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=12 May 2019|accessdate=13 May 2019 |archivedate=13 May 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513133458/https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/may-2019/rally-chile-wrc-2-day-3/page/6340--51-51-.html}} and took over the championship a round later at the 2019 Rally de Portugal.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/june-2019/portugal-wrc2-day-3/page/6405--51-51-.html|title=WR2 in Portugal: Kalle takes Pro lead|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=2 June 2019|access-date=3 June 2019 |archive-date=3 June 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603020327/https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/june-2019/portugal-wrc2-day-3/page/6405--51-51-.html }} He would go on to win three more rallies during the rest of the season and eventually sealed the title at the 2019 Wales Rally GB.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/october-2019/wrc-2-wales-day-3/page/6728--51-51-.html|title=WRC 2 in Britain: Kalle claims Pro title|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=6 October 2019|accessdate=7 October 2019 |archivedate=7 October 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007031602/https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/october-2019/wrc-2-wales-day-3/page/6728--51-51-.html}} His only retirement of the season was at the 2019 Tour de Corse, where he crashed out during the ninth special stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/march-2019/corsica-saturday-wrap-/page/6234--51-51-.html|title=Saturday in WRC 2: Andolfi leads after carnage in Corsica|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=31 March 2019|accessdate=31 March 2019 |archivedate=31 March 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331031312/https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/2019/march-2019/corsica-saturday-wrap-/page/6234--51-51-.html}}
In November 2019, Toyota announced that Rovanperä would drive for the Japanese manufacturer in {{WRC|2020}}, alongside world champion Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november-2019/toyota-2020/page/6855--12-12-.html|title=Toyota reveals 2020 line-up|website=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=27 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128064108/https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november-2019/toyota-2020/page/6855--12-12-.html }}
=2020–2021: Top tier debut and youngest WRC event winner=
File:KalleRallySweden2020(2).jpg.]]
Rovanperä chose 69 as his car number.{{cite news|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-wrc-2020-doesnt-have-a-no-1/|title=Why WRC 2020 doesn't have a NO.1|publisher=DirtFish|date=23 January 2020|access-date=29 October 2022}} He scored his first podium at his second outing in the top class at the 2020 Rally Sweden by finishing third.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/season-2020/wrc/sunday-rally-sweden/|title=Evans completes masterful Rally Sweden win |work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=16 February 2020|access-date=17 February 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217045657/https://www.wrc.com/en/news/season-2020/wrc/sunday-rally-sweden/ }} At 19 years, 4 months and 16 days, Rovanperä became the youngest WRC podium finisher.{{cite news|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-top-10-youngest-wrc-podium-finishers/|title=The top 10 youngest WRC podium finishers|first=Stephen|last=Brunsdon|publisher=DirtFish|date=25 September 2021|access-date=29 October 2022}} Rovanperä eventually finished fifth at the end of season.{{cite web|url=https://us.motorsport.com/wrc/standings/2020/|title=WRC 2020 driver's standings|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=29 October 2022}}
Rovanperä's 2021 campaign started with a fourth at the 2021 Monte Carlo Rally and a second at the 2021 Arctic Rally Finland, which was enough to lead the WRC championship for the first time in his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/breaking-news-sublime-tanak-wins-arctic-rally/|title=Tänak wins in the Arctic, Rovanperä grabs WRC lead|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=28 February 2021|access-date=1 March 2021}} Following a series of troublesome events, Rovanperä took his first WRC career victory at the 2021 Rally Estonia.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/breaking-news-record-breaking-rovanpera-triumphs-in-estonia/|title=Record-breaking Rovanperä triumphs in Estonia|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=18 July 2021|accessdate=18 July 2021 |archivedate=18 July 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718122854/https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/breaking-news-record-breaking-rovanpera-triumphs-in-estonia/ }} The victory saw him become the youngest driver to win a World Rally Championship event at 21 years and 289 days, breaking the previous record of 22 years and 313 days held by his team boss Jari-Matti Latvala.{{cite news|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-10-youngest-wrc-winners/|title=The 10 youngest WRC winners|first=Luke|last=Barry|publisher=DirtFish|date=19 July 2021|access-date=24 July 2021}} Later in 2021, he also won the 2021 Acropolis Rally.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/masterful-rovanpera-bags-greece-win/|title=Masterful Rovanperä bags Greece win|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=12 September 2021|accessdate=13 September 2021}} Rovanperä eventually finished fourth at the conclusion of the championship.{{cite web|url=https://us.motorsport.com/wrc/standings/2021/|title=WRC 2021 driver's standings|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=29 October 2022}}
=2022–2023: Youngest World Rally Champion=
Rovanperä started {{WRC|2022}} with a fourth place at the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally, before he went on to win a hat-trick events.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/breaking-news-rovanpera-storms-to-hat-trick/|title=Hat-trick hero Rovanperä supreme in Portugal|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=22 May 2022|accessdate=22 May 2022}} Following a fifth place at the 2022 Rally Italia Sardegna, he secured back-to-back victories to build a commanding lead in the championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/breaking-news-rovanpera-storms-to-safari-success/|title=Rovanperä tightens title hold with skilled Safari win|work=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=26 June 2022|accessdate=22 July 2022}} Despite a number of eventful rallies, he returned to form to claim his sixth rally of the season at the 2022 Rally New Zealand.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/63108926|title=World Rally Championship: 'Superhero' Kalle Rovanpera becomes youngest ever champion|work=BBC Sport|date=2 October 2022|access-date=2 October 2022}} The performance was enough to secure the first world title of his career.{{cite news|title=Breaking: Rovanperä seals WRC crown with historic victory down under|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/rovanpera-seals-wrc-crown/|website=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=2 October 2022|access-date=2 October 2022}} At the age of 22 years and 1 day, Rovanperä became the youngest World Rally Champion, breaking the previous record set by Colin McRae at the age of 27 years and 89 days in {{WRC|1995}}.{{cite news|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/the-10-youngest-world-champions-in-wrc-history/|title=The top 10 youngest world champions in WRC history|first=Luke|last=Barry|publisher=DirtFish|date=25 September 2021|access-date=29 October 2022}} He also became the first Finnish World Rally Champion since Marcus Grönholm in {{WRC|2002}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/rovanpera-becomes-youngest-champion-with-rally-new-zealand-win-2022-10-02/|title=Rovanpera becomes youngest champion with New Zealand victory|work=Reuters|date=2 October 2022|access-date=2 October 2022}}
File:Kalle Rovanperä Rally Finland 2023 Rannankylä.jpg]]
File:Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen, SS17, Orlen 80th Rally Poland.jpg]]
Rovanperä did not win a rally until the fifth round of the championship, the 2023 Rally de Portugal, which helped him to lead the championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-portugal-rovanpera-kickstarts-title-defence-with-dominant-win/10469308/|title=WRC Portugal: Rovanpera kickstarts title defence with dominant win|first=Tom|last=Howard|work=autosport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=14 May 2023|access-date=14 May 2023}} He won two more events later in the year, consolidating his championship lead.{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-estonia-relentless-rovanpera-seals-dominant-victory-in-style/10499137/|title=WRC Estonia: Relentless Rovanpera seals dominant victory in style|first=Tom|last=Howard|work=autosport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=23 July 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-greece-rovanpera-closing-on-victory-evans-steals-second-/10518497/|title=WRC Greece: Rovanpera closing on victory, Evans steals second|first=Tom|last=Howard|work=autosport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=10 September 2023|access-date=10 September 2023}} At the 2023 Central European Rally, major title rival Elfyn Evans was out of contention, whist Rovanperä finished second, which was enough to seal a back-to-back world title.{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-central-europe-rovanpera-clinches-second-world-title-neuville-wins-rally/10539939/|title=WRC Central Europe: Rovanpera clinches second world title, Neuville wins rally|first=Tom|last=Howard|work=autosport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=29 October 2023|access-date=29 October 2023}}
Rovanperä signed a multi-year contract with Toyota following the end of 2023 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.wrc.com/a/news/w26992_All-starToyotaGazooRacingline-upbreakscoverfor2024|title=All-star Toyota Gazoo Racing line-up breaks cover for 2024|website=wrc.com|publisher=WRC Promoter GmbH|date=20 November 2023|access-date=20 November 2023}} However, it was announced that Rovanperä would only contest a partial season in {{WRC|2024}} before returning full time in 2025.{{cite news|first=David|last=Evans|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovanpera-steps-down-to-part-wrc-program-in-2024/|title=Rovanperä steps down to part WRC program in 2024|website=dirtfish.com|date=20 November 2023|access-date=20 November 2023}}
Other activities
In 2022, Rovanperä competed at the Mondello Park round of the Drift Masters European Championship with a Toyota Supra, where he reached the round of 16.{{cite web |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-latvala-thinks-rovanpera-excelled-in-the-mud/ |website=DirtFish|title=Why Latvala thinks Rovanperä excelled in the mud |author=Alasdair Lindsay |date=25 June 2022}} In 2023, he entered two rounds of the Formula Drift Japan with a Toyota GR Corolla, claiming a win at Ebisu and a second place at Okayama.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedweek.com/wrc/news/208271/Rovanperae-gewinnt-nach-Portugal-auch-Drift-Debuet.html |title=Rovanperä gewinnt nach Portugal auch Drift-Debüt |author=Toni Hoffmann |website=Speedweek |date=21 May 2023 |lang=de}}{{cite web |url=https://rally-japan.jp/en/news/topics/wrc-drivers-leave-fans-breathless-at-formula-drift-japan/ |title=WRC drivers leave fans breathless at Formula Drift Japan |date=11 October 2023}} He also entered three rounds of the Drift Masters European Championship with a Toyota Supra.
File:Carrera Cup Benelux 2024 Spielberg Nr. 69 Rovanperä.jpg in 2024]]
The Finn announced to enter four rounds of the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux.{{cite web |url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-champion-rovanpera-announces-circuit-racing-plans/10574054/ |title= WRC champion Rovanpera announces circuit racing plans |author=Tom Howard |website=Autosport |date=9 February 2024}} He finished his first race weekend in Zandvoort in 4th and 5th place, and afterwards took his first circuit victory in Imola, finishing 2nd and 1st.{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=Tom |date=July 7, 2024 |title=WRC champion Rovanpera overcomes penalty to claim maiden circuit race win |url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/rovanpera-overcomes-penalty-to-claim-maiden-circuit-race-win/10632529/ |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=Autosport}}
In November 2024, Rovanperä was able to test an F1 car with Red Bull Racing at the Austrian Red Bull Ring.
Rovanperä said on Instagram on Christmas Eve that he will be seen in the Dubai 24 Hour race from 10 to 12. January 2025.
Personal life
In June 2017, the Finnish transport safety agency Trafi granted Rovanperä special permission to apply for a driver's license when he turned 17.{{cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/a/201706092200198313|title=Nyt se on varmaa: Ihmekuski Kalle Rovanperä saa ajokortin alaikäisenä!|language=fi-FI|work=Ilta-Sanomat|first=Solmu|last=Salminen|date=6 September 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}} On 2 October 2017, a day after his 17th birthday, Rovanperä successfully completed the mandatory driving test after having completed the theory part beforehand.{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-9862051|title=17-vuotias ralliteini jännitti inssiajoa – loppukuusta Rovanperä tekee historiaa Walesin MM-rallissa|language=fi-FI|website=yle.fi|first=Sakari|last=Lund|date=2 October 2017|access-date=26 October 2017}}
In 2020, Rovanperä moved to Estonia.{{cite news|url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/wrc-huippulupaus-kalle-rovanpera-19-muutti-pois-suomesta-helpottaa-todella-paljon/7834236|title=WRC-huippulupaus Kalle Rovanperä, 19, muutti pois Suomesta – "Helpottaa todella paljon"|first1=Ilari|last1=Savonen|first2=Pekka|last2=Mäntylä|website=MTV Uutiset|language=fi|date=30 May 2020|access-date=20 July 2023}} He has lived in Monaco since 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.is.fi/ralli/art-2000008983394.html|title=Kalle Rovanperä muutti Monacoon – näin nuori rallitähti kommentoi uutta asuinpaikkaansa|first=Tuomas|last=Arkimies|website=Ilta-Sanomat|language=fi|date=3 August 2022|access-date=29 October 2023}}
Awards and honours
- Autosport Awards International Rally Driver of the Year: 2022–2023{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/rovanpera-named-autosports-international-rally-driver-of-the-year/10407727/|title=Rovanpera named Autosport's International Rally Driver of the Year|first=Kevin|last=Turner|work=autosport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=5 December 2022|access-date=5 December 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/autosport-awards/news/rovanpera-named-autosports-international-rally-driver-of-the-year-10554669/10554669/|title=Rovanpera named Autosport's International Rally Driver of the Year|first=Kevin|last=Turner|work=autosport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=4 December 2023|access-date=9 December 2023}}
Rally victories
=WRC victories=
=WRC-2 victories=
=WRC-2 Pro victories=
Career results
=WRC results=
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;"
! Year ! Entrant ! Car ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Points |
| {{WRC|2017}}
!nowrap| Kalle Rovanperä !nowrap| Ford Fiesta R5 | MON | SWE | MEX | FRA | ARG | POR | ITA | POL | FIN | GER | ESP |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| GBR |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| AUS | ! 25th ! 1 |
| rowspan="3"| {{WRC|2018}}
!nowrap| Kalle Rovanperä !rowspan="3"nowrap| Škoda Fabia R5 |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MON | SWE |colspan=12| !rowspan="3"| 22nd !rowspan="3"| 3 |
| nowrap| Škoda Motorsport
|colspan=2| |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MEX | FRA |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ARG | POR | ITA |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| FIN |colspan=6| |
|---|
| nowrap| Škoda Motorsport II
|colspan=8| |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| GER | TUR |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| GBR |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| ESP | AUS |
| rowspan="2"| {{WRC|2019}}
!rowspan="2"nowrap| Škoda Motorsport !nowrap| Škoda Fabia R5 |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MON |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| SWE | MEX |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| FRA | ARG |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CHL |colspan=8| !rowspan="2"| 12th !rowspan="2"| 18 |
| nowrap| Skoda Fabia R5 evo
|colspan=6| |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| POR |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ITA |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| FIN |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| GER |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| TUR |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| GBR |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| ESP |style="background:#FFFFFF;"| AUS |
| {{WRC|2020}}
!nowrap| Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT !nowrap| Toyota Yaris WRC |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MON |style="background:#FFDF9F;"| SWE |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MEX |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| EST |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| TUR |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ITA |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MNZ |colspan=7| ! 5th ! 80 |
| {{WRC|2021}}
!nowrap| Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT !nowrap| Toyota Yaris WRC |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MON |style="background:#DFDFDF;"| ARC |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CRO |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| POR |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| ITA |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| KEN |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| EST |style="background:#FFDF9F;"| BEL |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| GRE |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| FIN |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ESP |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MNZ |colspan=2| ! 4th ! 142 |
| {{WRC|2022}}
!nowrap| Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT !nowrap| Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MON |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| SWE |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| CRO |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| POR |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ITA |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| KEN |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| EST |style="background:#DFDFDF;"| FIN |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| BEL |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| GRE |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| NZL |style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ESP |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| JPN | !style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 1st !style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 255 |
| {{WRC|2023}}
!nowrap| Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT !nowrap| Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MON |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SWE |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MEX |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CRO |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| POR |style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ITA |style="background:#DFDFDF;"| KEN |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| EST |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| FIN |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| GRE |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CHL |style="background:#DFDFDF;"| EUR |style="background:#FFDF9F;"| JPN | !style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 1st !style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 250 |
| {{WRC|2024}}
!nowrap| Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT !nowrap| Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | MON |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| SWE |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| KEN | CRO |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| POR | ITA |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| POL |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| LAT |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| FIN | GRE |style="background:#FFFFBF;"| CHL | EUR | JPN | ! 7th ! 114 |
| {{WRC|2025}}
!nowrap| Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT !nowrap| Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MON |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SWE |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| KEN |style="background:#;"| ESP |
|style="background:#;"| POR
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| ITA
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| GRE
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| EST
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| FIN
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| PAR
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| CHL
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| EUR
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| JPN
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| SAU
{{small|}}
!style="background:#;"| 6th*
!style="background:#;"| 31*
|-
|colspan="19" style="background-color:#EAECF0;text-align:center"|Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/45827-kalle-rovanpera/1|title=Kalle Rovanperä (WRC)|work=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}}
|}
{{asterisk}} Season still in progress.
=WRC-2 results=
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;" |
| Year
! Entrant ! Car ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Points |
|---|
| {{WRC-2|2017}}
!nowrap| Kalle Rovanperä !nowrap| Ford Fiesta R5 | MON | SWE | MEX | FRA | ARG | POR | ITA | POL | FIN | GER | ESP |style="background:#CFCFFF"| GBR |style="background:#FFFFBF"| AUS ! 15th ! 25 |
| rowspan="2"| {{WRC-2|2018}}
!nowrap| Škoda Motorsport !rowspan="2" nowrap| Škoda Fabia R5 | MON | SWE |style="background:#DFFFDF"| MEX | FRA |style="background:#EFCFFF"| ARG | POR | ITA |style="background:#DFFFDF"| FIN |colspan=5| !rowspan="2" style="background:#ffdf9f"| 3rd !rowspan="2" style="background:#ffdf9f"| 90 |
| nowrap| Škoda Motorsport II
|colspan=8| | style="background:#DFDFDF"| GER | TUR |style="background:#FFFFBF"| GBR |style="background:#FFFFBF"| ESP | AUS |
| colspan="18" style="background-color:#EAECF0;text-align:center"|Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/45827-kalle-rovanpera/222|title=Kalle Rovanperä (WRC-2)|work=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}} |
=WRC-2 Pro results=
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;" |
| Year
! Entrant ! Car ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Points |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2019
!rowspan="2" nowrap| Škoda Motorsport !nowrap| Škoda Fabia R5 |style="background:#DFDFDF"| MON |style="background:#DFDFDF"| SWE | MEX |style="background:#EFCFFF"| FRA | ARG |style="background:#FFFFBF"| CHL |colspan=8| !style="background:#FFFFBF" rowspan="2"|1st !style="background:#FFFFBF" rowspan="2"|176 |
| nowrap| Skoda Fabia R5 evo
|colspan=6| |style="background:#FFFFBF"| POR |style="background:#FFFFBF"| ITA |style="background:#FFFFBF"| FIN |style="background:#FFDF9F"| GER |style="background:#FFDF9F"| TUR |style="background:#FFFFBF"| GBR |style="background:#FFDF9F"| ESP |style="background:white"| AUS |
| colspan="19" style="background-color:#EAECF0;text-align:center"|Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/45827-kalle-rovanpera/1415|title=Kalle Rovanperä (WRC-2 Pro)|work=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}} |
=ERC results=
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;" |
| Year
! Entrant ! Car ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Points |
|---|
| 2017
!nowrap| Kalle Rovanperä !nowrap| Ford Fiesta R5 | ACO | ESP | GRC | CYP | POL | CZE | ROM |style="background:#DFDFDF"| LVA ! 12th ! 30 |
| colspan="13" style="background-color:#EAECF0;text-align:center"|Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/45827-kalle-rovanpera/6|title=Kalle Rovanperä (ERC)|work=eWRC-results.com|access-date=29 October 2022}} |
=Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux results=
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;" |
| Year
! Team ! Car ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Points |
|---|
| 2024
!nowrap| RedAnt Racing !nowrap| Porsche 911 GT3 | BEL | BEL |style="background:#DFFFDF"| NED |style="background:#DFFFDF"| NED |style="background:#DFDFDF"| ITA |style="background:#FFFFBF"| ITA | NED | NED |style="background:#FFFFBF"| AUT |style="background:#DFFFDF"| AUT |style="background:#FFDF9F"| BEL |style="background:#FFFFBF"| BEL ! 4th ! 134.5 |
| colspan="17" style="background-color:#EAECF0;text-align:center"|Source: |
=Porsche Carrera Cup Italy results=
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;" |
| Year
! Team ! Car ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Points |
|---|
| 2024
!nowrap| Prima Ghinzani Motorsport !nowrap| Porsche 911 GT3 | MIS | MIS | IMO1 | IMO1 | MUG | MUG | IMO2 | IMO2 | VAL | VAL |style="background:#DFFFDF"| MON |style="background:#DFFFDF"| MON ! 19th ! 18 |
| colspan="17" style="background-color:#EAECF0;text-align:center"|Source: |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- {{official|https://kallerovanpera.com/en/}} {{in lang|en|fi}}
- {{Twitch}}
- {{Sports links}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box|before=Sébastien Ogier|title={{nowrap|Autosport
International Rally Driver Award}}|after=Incumbent|years=2022–2023}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|before=Sébastien Ogier|title=World Rally Champion|years={{WRC|2022}}–{{WRC|2023}}|after=Thierry Neuville}}
{{S-ach|rec}}
{{succession box|before=Jari-Matti Latvala
22 years, 313 days
(2008 Swedish Rally)|title=Youngest rally winner|after=Incumbent|years=20 years, 289 days
(2021 Rally Estonia)}}
{{succession box|title= Youngest World Rally Champion| before = Colin McRae
27 years, 109 days
(1995 season) | after = Incumbent | years =22 years, 1 day
(2022 season)}}
{{s-end}}
{{2025 World Rally Championship season}}
{{World Rally Champions}}
{{Autosport International Rally Driver Award}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rovanperä, Kalle}}
Category:21st-century Finnish sportsmen
Category:Finnish rally drivers
Category:Škoda Motorsport drivers
Category:Sportspeople from Jyväskylä
Category:Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers
Category:World Rally Champions
Category:World Rally Championship drivers
Category:Finnish expatriates in Estonia
Category:Finnish expatriates in Monaco
Category:Finnish racing drivers
Category:Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux drivers
Category:Porsche Carrera Cup Italy drivers