What Toyota expects from Rovanpera on his full-time WRC return

Toyota expects Kalle Rovanpera to be preventing for the World Rally Championship title on his full-time return this yr because the Finn ramped up his Monte Carlo preparations this week.

The 2-time world champion will contest the total 14-round season this yr after conducting a partial marketing campaign final yr, which nonetheless yielded 4 wins and helped Toyota safe a fourth consecutive producers’ crown.

Rovanpera was again behind the wheel of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 automotive earlier this week because the reigning world champion squad kicked off its Monte Carlo Rally (23-26 January) pre-event take a look at. The operating noticed Rovanpera deal with snow and ice coated French roads as he gathered priceless mileage driving the new-for-2025 hybrid-less automotive operating on Hankook tyres.

Workforce-mates Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and new signing Sami Pajari can even obtain time within the automotive.

Toyota staff principal Jari-Matti Latvala totally expects Rovanpera to be totally dedicated and preventing for a 3rd world title this yr. He additionally believes Rovanpera’s circuit racing exploits final yr, which can proceed with an endurance racing debut at this weekend’s Dubai 24 Hours, might enhance his abilities on asphalt rallies.

“I count on him to be preventing for the title, he’s going to be quick for positive,” stated Latvala.

“When he comes he needs to win however let’s see. We additionally know that Kalle has been experimenting in 2024 and I’m undecided he’ll drive a few years in rally however when he does he shall be totally dedicated.

“Doing what he did [in 2024] can hold his momentum up and we noticed it with Sebastien Loeb when he was doing all types of issues [in motorsport] after which he got here to Monte Carlo in 2022 and received. Perhaps for the clear tarmac driving there’s something he can deliver.”

Talking forward of the take a look at, Rovanpera expects his full-time WRC return will rewrite him to be “working arduous” however is focussed on stealing the title away from Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.

“In fact, I’ll attempt to work arduous and have good motivation from 2024 for 2025,” Rovanpera informed Autosport.

“There is only one purpose to try to win once more and be preventing for the championship so in fact I want to return again working arduous.”

Following the take a look at, he added: “Monte is at all times a brilliant troublesome begin and this yr we have now new tyres for everyone and I feel that’s really going to be fairly an enormous factor as everybody has to study a brand new tyre in all circumstances.

“However in fact after final yr Thierry needs to be one of many prime guys to beat and all people is after him now. We’re after him and let’s see the way it goes.”