WRC Rally Monte Carlo
Rovanpera: Difficult WRC Monte Carlo opener “not a total disaster"
The two-time world champion found it challenging adjusting to the new Hankook tyres in Monte Carlo
Tom Howard
Edited: Jan 27, 2025, 11:00 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Kalle Rovanpera described his recovery to fourth in Monte Carlo as “not a total disaster” for the start of his pursuit of a third World Rally Championship title.
Rovanpera has openly admitted that Monte Carlo is not among the events that suit him, but last weekend he struggled to perform to his own high standards on Hankook's slick tyre.
The Finn found himself sitting in sixth on Friday, admitting that he needed to change his driving style to adapt to the new-for-2025 rubber.
Rovanpera did find some improvements on Sunday and was helped by an inspired tyre call in changeable weather to finish second in the Super Sunday standings, also stealing fourth away from Hyundai’s Ott Tanak.
Although Rovanpera finished the rally 54.3s adrift of eventual winner and Toyota team-mate Sebastien Ogier, the two-time world champion felt his weekend wasn’t as bad as first feared.
Considering Ogier is contesting a partial season, Rovanpera leaves Monte Carlo eight points behind effective championship leader and Monte runner-up Elfyn Evans (Toyota).
“At the end, at least I managed to get some okay points,” Rovanpera told Motorsport.com. “A good tyre choice and a good Sunday saved us some good points, so at the end it is not a total disaster.
“For sure, we learned a lot and today [Sunday] we did some small changes on the car.
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“It was the first time trying the slick with these new things, and I think we could have been better through the weekend with this, but at least it was good to find it.
“I tried of course [to adapt my driving style to the tyres], but during the race it is not so easy.
“Usually you need some help from the car side as well, something to support you as you drive a bit differently.”
Read Also:
Rovanpera will soon begin preparations for Rally Sweden next month, a rally where he is expected to be among the favourites for victory.
The 24-year-old has previously tasted victory on the Swedish snow in 2022, which prompted the start of a dominant run to his maiden WRC title.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Solberg handed penalty for drifting on Monaco GP circuit during WRC opener
Next article The five big takeaways from the WRC Rally Monte Carlo
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Tom Howard
M-Sport’s 2027 WRC Fiesta Kit car breaks cover
WRC
WRC 17 h
M-Sport’s 2027 WRC Fiesta Kit car breaks cover
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
WRC
WRC
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
More from
Kalle Rovanperä
Kalle Rovanpera "open" on 2027 motorsport future ahead of talks with Toyota
WRC
WRC
Rally Finland
Kalle Rovanpera "open" on 2027 motorsport future ahead of talks with Toyota
Kalle Rovanpera to conduct demo run at WRC Rally Finland
WRC
WRC
Rally Finland
Kalle Rovanpera to conduct demo run at WRC Rally Finland
Kalle Rovanpera provides comeback update during Rally Estonia visit
WRC
WRC
Rally Estonia
Kalle Rovanpera provides comeback update during Rally Estonia visit
More from
Toyota Racing
Toyota: BMW has advantage in Barcelona WEC after private test
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
Toyota: BMW has advantage in Barcelona WEC after private test
Where Sami Pajari can improve after WRC title near miss
WRC
WRC
Rally Italy
Where Sami Pajari can improve after WRC title near miss
Latest news
Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
1 h
Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
5 h
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 6 h
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
7 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe