Kalle Rovanperä’s Acropolis Rally Greece took a dramatic turn as the young driver faced both driver error and mechanical issues, leading to his premature retirement on Saturday. The Finnish driver found himself in eighth place before encountering troubles on SS11, forcing him to park his Toyota for the day.
After overshooting a right-hander and getting stuck with the help of spectators, Rovanperä struggled to find his rally pace. Eventually, he had to stop the car due to a broken driveshaft or differential, admitting to a combination of his mistake in braking and the mechanical failure. The setback adds to a challenging season for the 24-year-old driver, raising questions about his championship aspirations.
Despite the setback, Rovanperä remains unfazed about his championship hopes, expressing confidence and a determination to improve for the upcoming gravel events. As Sunday presents a chance to earn valuable points, the young driver is eager to put this setback behind him and focus on driving faster in the races to come.
