P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kalle Rovanpera’s always been called the ‘Verstappen of the WRC’. Now he’s quitting rallying and aiming for F1 – but does he have a hope?
Double World Rally champion Kalle Rovanpera is making a surprising transition from rallying to Formula 1 at the age of 25, starting off with Super Formula in Japan next year. Rovanpera, known as “the WRC’s Max Verstappen,” has a strong background in rally racing, being the youngest ever podium finisher, winner, and world champion in WRC.
The move to Formula 1 poses challenges for Rovanpera as he is relatively inexperienced in circuit racing and single-seaters. His plan to spend two years in Super Formula before moving to Formula 2 is ambitious and will require significant adaptation and skill development.
Despite the uncertainties, if Rovanpera can showcase his speed and potential in circuit racing, he may have promising F1 options, particularly with Red Bull’s F1 teams or Toyota, given his ties to the Toyota Gazoo Racing family.
The fading relevance of rallying compared to the allure of Formula 1 makes Rovanpera’s decision more understandable, as the sport faces challenges in terms of attendance and future direction. While the transition from rallying to F1 is a long shot, it will be exciting to see how Rovanpera’s career unfolds in the coming years.
