The World Rally Championship is entering a crucial phase of the title race, starting with Rally Portugal this weekend and a series of seven consecutive gravel rallies following. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans currently holds a 43-point lead over teammate Kalle Rovanpera, with Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville in third, 50 points behind, setting the stage for a competitive battle for the championship. The upcoming gravel events will play a significant role in determining the outcome of this year’s title fight.
Kalle Rovanpera’s recent impressive performance in the Rally Islas Canarias, showcasing his asphalt prowess, has raised questions about his potential on gravel. Despite struggling with the new-for-2025 Hankook tyres initially, Rovanpera’s dominant victory in the Canary Islands marked a turning point in his season, propelling him to second in the standings after a lackluster start. With a new-spec gravel tyre from Hankook set to debut in Portugal, Rovanpera and other drivers face the challenge of adapting to the different rubber compounds.
While Rovanpera has shown flashes of brilliance on gravel, he faces obstacles such as road cleaning and the need to find his comfort zone on the rough terrain. The 24-year-old driver, who has already won Rally Portugal twice, aims to build on his recent success and challenge for more victories in the upcoming events. As Rovanpera and his team continue to fine-tune their setup and strategy during testing, the focus shifts to whether he can maintain his momentum and competitiveness on the demanding gravel stages ahead.
