Young Rally sensation Kalle Rovanperä is on the brink of WRC perfection after an astounding performance at Rally Islas Canarias, where he conquered a remarkable 12 consecutive stages. The Finnish driver’s dominance on the smooth asphalt roads of the Canary Islands has left his competitors in awe and trailing behind.
Rovanperä’s exceptional driving has propelled him to a substantial 45.2-second lead over his Toyota teammate, Sébastien Ogier, with championship leader Elfyn Evans settling for third place, over a minute adrift. The Finn’s exceptional display saw him clinch the fastest times on 12 out of the 13 stages so far, showcasing his unparalleled skill and speed behind the wheel.
Despite facing challenges earlier in the season with the new Hankook tires, Rovanperä seems to have cracked the code in the Canary Islands, adapting swiftly to the new rubber and unleashing his full potential. The young driver admitted to finding some crucial “ideas” to maximize his performance on the unfamiliar terrain.
What sets Rovanperä apart is not just his speed but his composure and calculated approach to each stage. In his own words, he doesn’t need to push to the limit or take unnecessary risks to achieve outstanding times, demonstrating maturity beyond his years and a deep understanding of rally dynamics.
Even the seasoned veteran Sébastien Ogier had to acknowledge Rovanperä’s brilliance, hailing his teammate’s performance as “pretty impressive” and acknowledging the challenge of keeping up with the young prodigy on the asphalt tracks. With five more stages to go, Rovanperä is poised to secure a memorable victory and make a statement in the 2025 season.
The Toyota team’s dominance was nearly flawless until Sami Pajari’s misfortune on stage 12, opening the door for Takamoto Katsuta to claim fourth place. The Hyundai trio of Adrien Fourmaux, Thierry Neuville, and Ott Tanak struggled to match the pace set by the Toyota drivers, highlighting the Japanese brand’s supremacy in the Rally Islas Canarias.
As Rovanperä gears up for the final stages of the rally, all eyes are on the young sensation to see if he can maintain his exceptional form and clinch a well-deserved victory. Stay tuned as the Finnish driver aims to etch his name in WRC history with a flawless performance in the Canary Islands.