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At 25, Kalle Rovanperä has achieved more than many rally drivers could dream of in their entire careers, but smashing WRC records is not the only thing the Finnish driver wants to achieve in motorsport. He sat down with RacingNews365 to explain why.
In late 2025, Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time WRC drivers’ champion, surprised the motorsport world by revealing his departure from rallying to explore a career in circuit racing. At 25 years old, with a successful rallying career so far, the Finnish driver expressed his desire for a new challenge in motorsport. Rooted in a family of racing, including his WRC-winning father Harri Rovanperä, Kalle’s journey in motorsport began early, leading to early recognition for his driving skills. While falling short of a third WRC title in 2025, Rovanperä’s decision to switch disciplines stemmed from his craving to further develop as a racing driver beyond rallying. His shift to circuit racing was preceded by experiences in GT racing, drifting, endurance racing, and even an F1 car test, demonstrating his diverse skills and ambitions in motorsport. Supported by Toyota, his long-standing team, Rovanperä’s move marks a significant stride in his evolving career as a versatile and accomplished racing driver.
