FIA rally director Andrew Wheatley doesn’t believe Kalle Rovanperä’s decision not to contest a full season in the World Series this year will have much impact.
The Finn together with card reader Jonne Halttunen became world champion in both 2022 and 2023. After two seasons, he won a total of nine stages. At the end of last November it was revealed that in 2024 Rovanperä will only participate in selected stages. “We will be involved for half a season,” says Dirtfish Rovanperä.
“There are a few reasons for this, but the main thing is that I have been racing rallies for a long time and I felt that now is the right time to take a break and recharge my batteries. I want to take some time off to focus on the future and gather energy so we can compete again in the coming years.”
This means that this year only three drivers among the real title contenders will participate in the entire season: Elfyn Evans (Toyota), Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Ott Tänak (Hyundai). Wheatley sees no problem with the Finn’s decision.
“I fully support Kalle’s decision to take a break from the World Series full-time,” he told Rallyplus.net. “He’s only 23, but he’s already won two World Cup titles and is at the age where most of us can drive.”
“He was already competing before the age of 20. He put in the effort from a young age and produced results for so long, so he must have spent a lot of energy. In the future he hopes to win the World Cup title with Jonne again.”
“I have no doubt he can do it,” Wheatley said. “We can expect another exciting and memorable World Rally Championship season in 2024, and I don’t think Kalle’s decision will affect this in any way.”
This year, 13 stages are planned in the World Rally Championship series, the first of which will take place from 25 to 28 January in Monte Carlo.
2024-01-02 18:43:00
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