World champion Kalle Rovanperä returns to the WRC at the Rally Sweden: The Toyota driver prepared for his comeback last weekend
Reigning world champion Kalle Rovanperä returns to the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the Rally Sweden: The Toyota driver, who is only competing in selected rounds this season, is confident that he can challenge for overall victory – despite the failure of the dress rehearsal last weekend.
Rovanperä took part in the Arctic Lapland Rally in Finland to prepare for the snow stages in Sweden. The Finn led the classification in his Toyota GR Yaris by more than a minute and had a good chance of victory, but was thwarted by a technical defect shortly before the end. His Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans inherited the victory.
Nevertheless, the Finn feels well prepared for his world championship debut this year. “Yes, I’m ready,” says Rovanperä. “The expectations for Sweden are pretty good. It’s nice to be able to take part in a WRC race again after a short break.”
“Hopefully the starting position will be good and we can enjoy the rally,” smiles the reigning world champion, who will not be defending his title this year. “Of course, we will try to fight for victory and take home points for the team. “
Rovanperä has “improved the car and set-up “
The dress rehearsal in Finland was very important despite the technical difficulties, explains Rovanperä. “We have improved the car and the set-up, so I think the test was important and hopefully we will have a better feeling before Sweden. “
“There is only one event a year on snow, so we have to nail the set-up in just a few tests. We don’t have that much experience with the car on snow, so we have to be sure that the car is fast when we go to Sweden,” the Toyota driver reminds us.
“We always try to find the fastest car. In Sweden you have to push all the time because it’s a fast rally and you normally have to save the tires in the second run, so you have to compromise and have a fast and comfortable car. “
