Some of the wildest speculations suggest that Rovanperä might put his rally career on hold after this season. These claims are peculiar, as Rovanperä signed an extension with Toyota last year. The agreement stated that Rovanperä would compete part-time in the 2024 season and return as a full-time Rally1 driver in 2025.
Contracts can, of course, be terminated, as has been seen before in the WRC.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala told RallyJournal.com last week that the team’s primary goal is to secure Rovanperä’s continuation. We asked Latvala for further clarification on this comment ahead of the Rally Finland: is there a risk that Rovanperä might not stay with the team?
“I don’t see why Kalle wouldn’t drive. But we must remember that Kalle is a two-time world champion and he has shown that he is still the fastest driver. You never want to let fast drivers go,” Latvala said.
“The top priority is to keep the driver in the team. I’m not particularly worried, but it’s a good reminder.”
When asked about the rumours of Rovanperä quitting, Latvala chose his words carefully.
“Kalle has been racing on track and drifting this year, and we thought we would give him the opportunity to do that. But when we made this idea, we were looking further ahead. We do hope that Kalle will be driving a full season next year,” Latvala said.
“No room for crazy risks”
Latvala himself is competing in the WRC2 class in Jyväskylä with a Toyota Rally2 car. He already showed in the shakedown stage that he still has the speed.
However, Latvala does not intend to take any wild risks on the special stages.
“If we are in the top five, then we have done very well. Everyone wants to do well, but there is no room for crazy risks. Oliver Solberg is very tough and has a good chance of winning this competition.”
“But he is building his career and wants to get back into a Rally1 car. In that sense, we are in different positions. Of course, I want to drive a race that shows if my driving is still at the right level,” Latvala explained.
