Kalle Rovanperä Dominates Rally Islas Canarias with Nine Consecutive Stage Wins
Rally Islas Canarias has become the stage for Kalle Rovanperä’s undeniable supremacy, as he extends his lead with an impressive streak of nine consecutive stage wins. The Toyota prodigy is showcasing unmatched skill and speed, leaving his teammates in the dust and widening the gap between them on Saturday morning.
Despite a valiant effort from Toyota teammate Sébastien Ogier, Rovanperä remains untouchable, with a lead of 36.9 seconds. Ogier showed glimpses of competitiveness on the morning stages, matching Rovanperä’s pace at times, but ultimately falling short as the young Finnish driver surged ahead in the final kilometers.
Rovanperä’s dominance was on full display during the Tejeda test, where he blazed through the course a staggering 8.4 seconds faster than his rivals. Confident in his performance, Rovanperä emphasized the importance of a smooth and controlled driving style on such challenging roads, highlighting the synergy between himself and his car.
Championship leader Elfyn Evans trails behind Ogier in third place, acknowledging his own shortcomings rather than blaming his vehicle for the lag in performance. Meanwhile, Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta hold the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, with Adrien Fourmaux leading the charge for Hyundai in sixth place.
The Hyundai team, however, faces an uphill battle as they struggle to match the pace set by the dominant Toyota lineup. Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak find themselves unable to bridge the gap, with Neuville expressing frustration at the limits of adjustments available to improve their performance.
M-Sport’s Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean continue to push forward, albeit facing challenges with grip and handling in their Ford Pumas. McErlean’s difficulties are evident, with both teammates acknowledging the struggles faced during the rally.
As the competition heats up and the drivers push their limits, Rovanperä’s exceptional performance sets the stage for an intense battle for supremacy on the demanding roads of Rally Islas Canarias. With each stage win, he solidifies his status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of rallying, leaving his competitors scrambling to keep up.