Rovanperä competed in select events during the 2024 season but will chase his third WRC title full-time in 2025. The points system underwent significant changes this year, awarding conditional points after Saturday and additional points on Sunday for the best drivers and Power Stage performances.
However, the system was criticised for disadvantaging rally winners, as there were instances where the overall winner scored fewer points than the second or third-place drivers. In 2025, the winner will receive 25 points, the second-place finisher 17 points, and the third 15 points, with points continuing down the order. The emphasis on Sunday results has been reduced, with the fastest driver on the day earning five points, the same as the Power Stage winner.
“At least this new one looks better already in the beginning than the old one. This year was just bad. Let’s hope that the points system is working for us. For sure, it looks better than this year,” Rovanperä said.
Rovanperä has a strong reputation for excelling in Power Stage runs. With fewer points available for Sunday results compared to 2024, the Finnish driver believes the system will suit him better.
“I never really liked so much pushing the whole Sunday if you have a nice gap. It always depends where you are,” Rovanperä explained.
“But the Power Stage is different. They’re always good. There I always like to push.”
The 2025 season also brings major changes to the cars. Hybrid units were scrapped at the end of last season, and the air restrictor size was reduced. While the overall weight of the cars has dropped, so has engine power.
“It’s pretty good feeling for sure. You feel that it’s less weight, which is positive. And then you don’t feel so much of the power missing. That’s pretty okay,” Rovanperä concluded.
