Kalle Rovanperä Retires from 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, Struggles Continue
Kalle Rovanperä retired from the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya on March 23, finishing fifth due to a mechanical failure. The two-time World Champion struggled throughout the rally, facing issues including punctures and suspension damage. This performance contributes to a challenging season for Rovanperä, who now trails behind key competitors in the championship standings.
Kalle Rovanperä’s participation in the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya concluded unexpectedly on March 23, 2025. The Finnish driver and two-time World Rally Champion retired while in fifth place due to a mechanical failure, marking a disappointing end to his rally campaign. He entered the event hoping to secure valuable points but left without any.
Rovanperä, who drives for Toyota Gazoo Racing, started strong in the rally, getting within 7.7 seconds of the lead at one point. However, his performance deteriorated on Saturday morning after two punctures, which set him back over a minute from teammate Elfyn Evans. Further frustrations arose when he damaged his rear-left suspension, resulting in him limping through stages to finish fifth.
With hopes for victory dashed, Rovanperä aimed to maximize points on Super Sunday. Unfortunately, team efforts to replace an alternator belt on their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 fell short when the vehicle ultimately ran out of battery, forcing their retirement from the rally. Rovanperä reflected on the weekend, stating, “It’s definitely not a good weekend,” highlighting the missed opportunity to close the gap in standings.
This setback contributes to an increasingly challenging season for the 23-year-old champion. Having struggled with the new Hankook tires introduced this year, Rovanperä has yet to reach the podium in the first two rounds at Monte Carlo and Sweden. His latest failure in Kenya significantly impacts his championship aspirations, leaving him trailing behind competitors like Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, who have accumulated substantial points.
Despite Elfyn Evans leading the rally, Toyota Gazoo Racing is heading for its lowest collective result at Safari Rally Kenya since its return in 2021. Rovanperä reflected, “I think the previous years have gone so well for us also that we used our luck there,” suggesting that they are currently experiencing a lack of favorable circumstances.
Looking ahead, Rovanperä and Toyota must quickly regroup, focusing on adapting to the new tire regulations and achieving consistency in upcoming rallies. Their next chance to recover will be in Croatia, where Rovanperä needs a robust performance to improve his standing in the championship.
Kalle Rovanperä’s retirement from the Safari Rally Kenya due to mechanical issues caps a difficult rally and season for the champion. Struggling to adapt to new tires and dealing with setbacks has left him significantly behind in the championship race. Toyota Gazoo Racing’s collective performance also marks a downturn, necessitating a swift regroup as the series continues with the Croatia rally ahead.
Original Source: www.tv47.digital
