The two-time world champion hasn’t been able to find the confidence he needs in the new tyres, nor has the car’s setup been optimal. Rovanperä sits fourth overall after Saturday morning’s loop, but Hyundai’s Ott Tänak has closed the gap to just one second.
Saturday morning was a snapshot of Rovanperä’s overall difficulties in the event. While he was close to setting the fastest time on the first stage of the day, the next two stages didn’t go as well.
“The first stage this morning looked good, but after that, not so much. As soon as it gets narrow and slow, that’s never been my strength. Especially with these new tyres, I just can’t seem to get anywhere, or carry any speed,” Rovanperä said.
“When it’s slow with lots of cuts, the car understeers quite a lot. It’s hard to find a good flow and have confidence in the driving. I have to fight a bit too much, and on these slow stages, the clock doesn’t like that.”
Rovanperä has particularly struggled on tight, technical sections. Dirty cuts in corners have also been problematic.
“We lost almost all the time on the first section of the last stage. The grip was okay, but the corners were slow and there were a lot of cuts. I just can’t get the car to turn or keep the speed up. Then the latter part was muddy but fast, so that came more easily,” Rovanperä explained.
Monte-Carlo has never been a favourite event for Rovanperä. The Finnish driver emphasised that the main goal is to secure some points in the season opener since a 14-round championship leaves plenty of room for ups and downs.
“It’s been the plan from the start. I knew it could be a tough weekend. That’s the feeling I got with the new tyres. Of course, a top-four finish would be good, but let’s see how we do against Ott.”
Toyota’s other Finnish driver, Sami Pajari, showed better pace on Saturday morning compared to Friday and Thursday. Pajari remains seventh overall, but his stage times have been more competitive.
“I had more confidence because the conditions were easier. I can be quite satisfied. There haven’t been any big moments. It’s been steady, consistent driving. On some sections, it’s going well, but there are still some slower splits,” Pajari reflected.
“We’ve made some small changes to the car, but they’ve been quite minor adjustments.”
