Kalle Rovanpera tested a Toyota Corolla GT AE86 rally car during Rally Finland, marking his return to competitive rallying after a one-year absence. The two-time world rally champion has not ruled out any motorsport options for 2027 as he continues to assess his future. Rovanpera, who stepped away from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2025, recently took part in demonstration runs on the Harju stage with his former co-driver Jonne Halttunen, the man who helped him win world titles. This outing represented his first time back in rally machinery, and he described the experience as fun and a chance to reconnect with old friends. While he was behind the wheel, Rovanpera also took time to explore the rally's service park and enjoy time with his teammates, something he hadn't had in quite some time.
Return to Rally Finland
Rovanpera and Halttunen, who are close collaborators, joined forces for the special event at Rally Finland. The Harju stage was chosen as the location for the demonstration, and it provided Rovanpera with an opportunity to experience rally conditions once again. This was his first time behind the wheel of a competitive rally car since his retirement from the WRC. Rovanpera expressed that he felt a mix of nostalgia and excitement during the drive. He noted that being around familiar faces and revisiting the rally environment was a highlight of the event. For Rovanpera, it was more than just a test drive—it was a way to reconnect with the sport and the people who had supported him throughout his championship-winning career.
Rovanpera took a step back from motorsport in 2026 after facing health concerns that prevented him from transitioning to circuit racing in Super Formula as initially planned. Instead, he took a year away from the sport to focus on his well-being and personal life. During that time, he spent more time in the garage with friends, enjoyed casual events, and prioritized his recovery. Rovanpera described this period as a necessary break that allowed him to step back from the high-stress world of motorsport and reconnect with the simpler things in life. Now, he says he feels fully healthy and is ready to consider his next steps in the sport.
Rovanpera is preparing to have discussions with Toyota about his potential return to competitive racing in the coming year. While he is open to various possibilities, he has not yet decided on the specific racing discipline he might pursue. He described the process as something he wants to approach carefully, allowing himself time to consider what the best path forward might be. Rovanpera said that both he and Toyota will need to align their goals and expectations before any commitments are made.
Rovanpera has maintained communication with his former Toyota WRC teammate Takamoto Katsuta during his time away. Katsuta has enjoyed a strong 2026 campaign, including a notable WRC victory at the Safari Rally in Kenya. Rovanpera acknowledged that he has given Katsuta advice and support from afar, but he downplayed his role as a coach, saying he simply wanted to help where possible. He admitted it was bittersweet not to be present for Katsuta's first win of the year, especially since the pair had previously worked together. Rovanpera said he felt pride in Katsuta's progress but also a personal sadness for missing such a significant moment.
Rovanpera also expressed interest in the future direction of the World Rally Championship, particularly as the sport moves under the stewardship of a new commercial rights holder. He described the upcoming changes as potentially exciting but acknowledged the challenges involved. Rovanpera expressed hope that the new rights holder would implement positive changes that benefit the sport. He emphasized that it will take time to see the full impact of these developments but remains optimistic about the potential for WRC to evolve in a meaningful way.
Circuit Racing Future
Despite his focus on rallying in recent years, Rovanpera said that circuit racing remains an important part of his long-term plans. He admitted he has enjoyed past experiences in circuit racing and still sees it as a potential path forward. However, he clarified that the details of how that might happen and what specific racing series he might pursue are still unclear. Rovanpera said that after spending time away from the sport, he now views rallying in a different light. He described it as feeling more distant and said it might take time to readjust to the pace and intensity required for competitive racing.
Rovanpera emphasized that he is not limiting his options and is open to returning to either rallying or circuit racing, depending on what opportunities present themselves. He said the break has given him a fresh perspective, and he wants to approach his comeback with realistic expectations. While the sport has changed in his absence, Rovanpera remains committed to finding a role that allows him to compete at the highest level. For now, he is focusing on remaining healthy and taking the time to evaluate what comes next in his career.
