Rovanperä’s season has so far included many different phases, but the Finn remains firmly in the fight for the world title.
With only three rounds remaining in the season, Rovanperä sits third in the drivers’ standings, 21 points behind his teammate Sébastien Ogier. The Finn’s third world title is therefore still very much within reach.
“We’re heading back to asphalt for the next two rallies, and at least the last tarmac event went really well for us,” Rovanperä’s co-driver Jonne Halttunen told Rallyjournal.com, referring to the Rally Islas Canarias earlier this year, which Rovanperä won in dominant fashion.
“The tests for Central Europe left us with a good feeling. If you’ve got a bad feeling in the tests, that usually carries over into the rally as well. A good feeling doesn’t always guarantee success, but it’s certainly a positive sign,” Halttunen continued.
Rovanperä and Halttunen have a clear plan for the asphalt stages of the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria.
“We’re going there to deliver the maximum performance. The weather will probably play a big part. If Friday is dry, the starting position shouldn’t cause too much trouble. But if it’s wet, like it was in 2023, we’ll have a big advantage running first on the road. I think we gained around twenty seconds just driving normally, as the road surface deteriorates so much,” Halttunen recalled.
“If it’s dry, then I definitely see good chances for us. It will certainly be a close fight, as four drivers are still battling for the world title,” Halttunen added.
Rovanperä is currently competing in what is expected to be the final season of his WRC career. Of course, the best possible ending would be to finish as world champion.
“Kalle and I have agreed between ourselves that we’ll give absolutely everything,” Halttunen revealed.
“The risk threshold is quite high for everyone. I assume that at some point the leading group will start to run into various problems,” Halttunen predicted.
So far, Rovanperä has had the most misfortune among the front-runners. Ogier and Elfyn Evans, on the other hand, have managed to get through with far fewer issues.
“In South America, both rallies were ruined by punctures for us. One of them was our own fault. But unfortunately, from our point of view, nothing much has happened to our main rivals. Ott (Tänak) has had his share of trouble, but Ogier and Elfyn have gone quite a while with dry feet. But we can’t afford for anything to happen anymore. Otherwise, it’s game over,” Halttunen emphasised firmly.
