Rovanperä showed impressive speed during the free practice sessions of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux series on Friday. The two-time world rally champion is competing on the circuit for only the second time.
In the first practice session of the morning, Rovanperä clocked the second-fastest lap time (1:44.682). He was just 0.072 seconds behind Paul Meijer, who set the fastest time. Robin Knutsson was the third fastest (+0.131), and Sacha Norden was the fourth fastest (+0.293). Rovanperä managed to lap the Imola track 13 times during the opening practice session.
In the afternoon’s second free practice session, Rovanperä’s speed earned him the top time. His best lap was achieved on his final run, just as the session ended. He edged out Paque by a narrow margin of 0.025 seconds. Meijer was also close behind, trailing by 0.072 seconds. Norden was fourth in the second practice session (+0.236).
The Imola track is new to the drivers in the Porsche Cup, giving Rovanperä a more level playing field compared to last month at the Zandvoort circuit. Qualifying will take place on Saturday morning, followed by the first race. The second race is scheduled for Sunday.
In his main role in the WRC, Rovanperä’s next outing is the World Rally Championship round in Latvia from 18th to 21st July. Before that, the Finnish star will be testing in his home region of Central Finland.
Rovanperä has a busy schedule, as shortly after the Latvian rally, the Rally Finland takes place, for which testing is also planned.
