Toyota was utterly dominant compared to Hyundai in the debut WRC round in the Canary Islands. Kalle Rovanperä put on a stunning performance, claiming his first win of the season in convincing fashion. Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta backed up the result by securing the next three places.
Four-time world champion as a driver, Kankkunen could hardly hold back a smile at the finish in Las Palmas.
“It’s an incredible feeling. These kinds of results don’t happen every decade,” the legend grinned.
While Toyota’s drivers were on fire through the twisty asphalt roads of the Canaries, Hyundai was plagued by problems. Kankkunen offered an explanation for Toyota’s weekend-long dominance.
“Our car worked really well with the Hankook tyres, which were the biggest question mark. Hyundai can’t be that weak, that’s for sure.”
“Just three weeks ago in Kenya, Tänak was second and Neuville third. Their driving skills haven’t gone anywhere. This time it was all about the car. Of course, the boys also drove brilliantly, no doubt about that,” Kankkunen praised.
Rovanperä’s performance was so impressive that even his rivals were running out of superlatives. He clocked no less than 15 fastest times and took the win along with maximum points, finishing nearly a minute ahead of Ogier.
That kind of dominance is rarely seen in the WRC.
“A perfect ten from Kalle. I’ve always said that when Kalle finds fifth gear, the others will be in trouble,” Kankkunen quipped.
After a lacklustre start to the season, the flawless performance came just at the right time for Rovanperä. He climbed to second in the championship standings.
“Let’s not forget that last year he only drove a part-season – seven rallies, four wins, and three retirements. When everything clicks, the results come,” Kankkunen reminded.
The WRC season continues in just under three weeks in Portugal – one of Rovanperä’s favourite gravel rallies. He’s already taken two wins around the Porto region.
“I think Portugal will be much tighter. Hyundai will come back strong, and our guys (Evans and Rovanperä) will be opening the road from the first and second positions. In Portugal, being the road-sweeper is never easy. I think the results will be all over the place,” Kankkunen predicted.
“But right now, everyone’s in high spirits. We’re not going there to do anything other than win.”
