Kalle Rovanperä, the two-time world rally champion, won’t be going for a third consecutive title in 2024. The 23-year-old Finnish prodigy has decided to take a step back from the World Rally Championship, where he currently holds the title. Instead of defending his championship, he’ll be focusing on a partial program for the upcoming season.
This unexpected announcement has left many fans surprised. Rovanperä, who has been dominating the WRC for the past two years, has opted to reduce his involvement in the championship. Despite his young age, he has made the bold decision to skip the entire 2024 season, as confirmed by Toyota’s announcement on Monday.
In a statement, Rovanperä expressed his excitement about signing a multi-year contract with TGR-WRT and continuing to work with the team. He mentioned that after 15 years of rallying, he felt the need to take a break to recharge both mentally and physically. While the past seasons have been extraordinary, they have also been incredibly demanding. Rovanperä plans to return to full-time rallying after taking a year off, ready to once again compete for the championship with renewed energy.
Despite his reduced schedule, Rovanperä will still fulfill his contract with Toyota in the WRC. He will participate in a limited number of rallies, with the details yet to be announced. The 2024 season will feature 13 events, and Rovanperä will be selective about the rallies he competes in.
As a result of Rovanperä’s decision, the full-time drivers for Toyota will be Elfyn Evans, the 2023 vice-champion, and Takamoto Katsuta, who is still aiming for his first WRC victory. Meanwhile, Sebastien Ogier will continue with a partial program, starting with the Rallye Monte-Carlo, where he holds the record for the most wins.
Rovanperä also expressed his enthusiasm for exploring other motorsports, such as drifting, and participating in exciting events alongside the selected rallies for next year. This decision reflects his love for all forms of motorsport and his eagerness to take on new challenges.
In the world of rallying, unexpected changes are part of the game. While Rovanperä’s absence from the full 2024 season may come as a surprise, it sets the stage for an intriguing year ahead. Fans can look forward to seeing how the championship unfolds with new dynamics and fresh opportunities.
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