Rovanperä had his first opportunity on Wednesday to test a Super Formula car, but he managed to complete only the morning session in KCMG’s machine before being forced to stop.
He suddenly experienced symptoms of benign positional vertigo, and the Finn had no choice but to end the session. A doctor subsequently issued him a driving ban.
“During the midday break I began to experience symptoms of benign positional vertigo, which affect balance and vision through the inner ear. The doctor gave me a driving ban for this week,” Rovanperä explained at the time.
Rovanperä has now provided an update on his condition in an interview with Motorsport.com.
“I have never had similar symptoms before, so I was quite surprised,” he said.
“But apparently this can happen to anyone at any time, so there was a great deal of bad luck involved that it happened right now,” he added.
The timing of the symptoms could hardly have been worse for the Finn. Wednesday morning’s test session focused mainly on aerodynamic evaluations, meaning Rovanperä did not yet have the chance to properly demonstrate his speed on the legendary Suzuka circuit, well known even from Formula One.
Rovanperä had been scheduled to continue testing today, Thursday, and on Friday, but due to the driving ban he will now miss those sessions.
“On Wednesday afternoon I began having issues with my balance and vision. I went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo. The doctor advised me to stop the test,” Rovanperä said.
He then shared rather worrying information.
“All sudden movements now cause me dizziness. It happens even when I’m lying in bed. So unfortunately I cannot drive at the moment,” Rovanperä lamented.
