This year, Rovanperä took things a bit easier. The two-time world champion wanted to reduce his rally commitments and ended up competing in seven WRC events during the season.
In addition to his rally activities, Rovanperä spent time on the track, participating in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux series and testing an older Red Bull F1 car in the autumn. He also competed in a couple of smaller rallies purely for enjoyment.
Now, Rovanperä’s focus is once again fully on the WRC, and he began preparations for the upcoming season last weekend. Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen competed in France’s Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy with Toyota’s Rally1 car, using the event as a test rally for Monte Carlo.
Rovanperä was beaten by Hyundai’s new driver Adrien Fourmaux in the event, but the goal was not to focus on results. Instead, the aim was to test and get a feel for the demanding Monte Carlo conditions. Next season, Rally1 cars will no longer feature hybrid units, and Hankook will take over as the tyre supplier – changes Rovanperä used the weekend to adapt to.
“We were just talking yesterday that it feels like it’s not the end of the season. It’s the start of the new one already,” Rovanperä joked cheerfully during the rally.
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Rovanperä’s goal during his reduced season was to recharge. According to the Finn, this goal was achieved.
“This has been a really, really good year. I’ve been enjoying all the different things a lot. Now it’s definitely time to get back to full-time focus on this, even though it will take much more effort,” Rovanperä stated.
“But we’re ready for it,” Rovanperä added with encouraging words.
The season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo takes place from 23–26 January.
