Kalle Rovanpera Triumphs in Central Europe, Propelling Toyota to Ninth Constructors’ Title!
In a sensational display of skill and determination, Kalle Rovanpera has surged ahead in his quest for a third World Rally Championship title, clinching a stunning victory at the Central European Rally. This exhilarating win not only marks Rovanpera’s third triumph of the year but also secures Toyota’s illustrious ninth constructors’ crown. The stakes were incredibly high as just days prior, the Finnish racing prodigy revealed his intention to leave the WRC at season’s end for an audacious leap into single-seater racing.
The rally unfolded across 17 grueling stages spanning the picturesque landscapes of the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. Rovanpera, alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen, showcased unparalleled prowess, finishing a commanding 43.7 seconds ahead of his closest rival and fellow Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans. Evans has now regained the championship lead, but the tension is palpable as the title race heats up. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Ott Tanak—a dark horse in the championship chase—settled for third place, losing grip on second by a mere 5.6 seconds on the electrifying final Power Stage.
Toyota’s remarkable fifth consecutive WRC manufacturers’ title now brings them tantalizingly close to the all-time record held by Lancia. Rovanpera seized the rally lead after an impressive victory in stage nine on Saturday morning, having been locked in a fierce duel with teammate Sébastien Ogier, who had entered the rally with a narrow two-point lead over Evans.
As the weekend unfolded, Ogier and Rovanpera quickly distanced themselves from the pack, with Ogier extending his lead to 3.9 seconds by the midday tyre fitting zone on Friday. However, a catastrophic twist of fate struck on stage 10 when Ogier suffered a shocking crash, caused by a hidden puncture that sent him careening off the road and into a tree. This marked his first retirement of the season, drastically shaking up the championship landscape and handing Rovanpera a comfortable lead of 36.3 seconds heading into Sunday’s final stages.
Determined not to concede defeat, Ogier rejoined the rally under Super Rally rules, aiming to salvage his points. In a spectacular display of resolve, he topped the Super Sunday Classification and clinched the 26.52km Power Stage, attempting to mitigate the damage from his earlier exit. Yet, Rovanpera remained unfazed, securing a crucial victory and collecting a total of 31 points, including six Super Sunday points, significantly boosting his title aspirations.
Meanwhile, the rally proved challenging for Evans, who struggled to match the blistering pace of his teammates. A five-second penalty for hitting a hay bale on Thursday relegated him to eighth place, but determination saw him claw his way back to third by the end of the day. His battle with Tanak continued into Saturday, with the Estonian briefly overtaking Evans before the latter capitalized on Tanak’s misfortunes to regain second place.
As the dust settled in Central Europe, Evans now leads the championship standings by 13 points over Ogier and Rovanpera, while Tanak trails 50 points behind. In a dramatic turn of events, reigning champion Thierry Neuville faced a harrowing retirement after a catastrophic crash into a bridge on Sunday morning, forcing the cancellation of stage 15. Thankfully, both he and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe emerged from the incident after precautionary checks.
Completing the rally in style, Takamoto Katsuta picked up two stage wins to secure a solid fourth place, while Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, who ran as high as third, encountered difficulties with his 2025-spec i20 N. Sami Pajari rounded out the top six, with Josh McErlean achieving a career-best seventh place finish.
The WRC2 class saw Czech driver Jan Cerny emerge victorious, while newly crowned WRC2 champion Oliver Solberg sped through to clinch eighth overall, although he was ineligible for points. In a thrilling climax, Sweden’s Mille Johansson snatched the Junior WRC title from FIA Rally Star driver Taylor Gill by a mere 1.6 seconds on the final Power Stage.
As the WRC season races towards its thrilling conclusion, all eyes will be on the next leg of the championship, with Rovanpera, Evans, and Ogier locked in a fierce battle for glory. The stage is set for an unforgettable showdown!
