06/11/2025

Kalle Rovanpera grabs early lead, promises full attack for title

Kalle Rovanpera has claimed the early lead at Rally Japan as he plans to not hold anything back in his pursuit of a third World Rally Championship title at the penultimate round of the season.

The Toyota driver posted the fastest time in the opening stage at the asphalt event, with only a second separating the top eight after the 2.75km Kuragaike Park super special stage.

Rovanpera pipped Hyundai’s Ott Tanak by 0.1s, with Toyota’s home hero Takamoto Katsuta third fastest [+0.3s]. Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier, who like Rovanpera, trails championship leader and Toyota stablemate Elfyn Evans by 13 points, was fourth quickest and 0.4s adrift.

After hauling himself back into the title race following victory at the Central European Rally last month, Rovanpera says he is planning a full attack in Japan to reel in Evans and take the title fight to the final round in Saudi Arabia.

The 25-year-old has openly admitted that Japan’s narrow asphalt roads are not among his favourites, with his best result being a run to third in 2023. Rovanpera’s build up to the event has been somewhat unusual having tested Formula 2 machinery in Spain last week to prepare for his switch to single seater racing next year.

“It is always a tricky rally, it is not really in my comfort zone with the style of stages we have here. It doesn’t matter much as we still need to try and do a strong result. We really need good points, and the first plan is to get more than Elfyn and Seb so let’s see how it goes,” Rovanpera told Motorsport.com.

“Obviously, there are only two more rounds to go so there is no reason to hold back with anything.

“It was nice to get a proper test to get real seat time [in an F2 car] and push on those cars and it went pretty well, so that was good. Obviously, it has not been the easiest schedule for this year changing cars and going back to the rally car. It was not optimal. The neck is fine, it is still there.”

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota

Rovanpera’s team-mate Ogier also has his sights set on leaving Japan having scored more points than championship leader Evans after losing grip on the points lead at the Central European Rally.

“Now it has become clear again that we need to perform again and there is no management in play. We need to catch back some points,» Ogier told Motorsport.com.

“There is not a single rally in the season where you come out of the recce and say this one will be an easy one. I think the biggest difficulties are the new sections and the weather changes that can be expected during the weekend, which for sure spice it up.

“To win, we often say you need to have the luck of the champion and I have expected that many times in my career. But, I also know that this sport can bite really hard when you feel you are doing a good job. I just don’t think too much about it and will give my best.”

Championship leader Evans trailed his title rivals on the opening stage, posting a time 0.8s away from Rovanpera’s pace to sit behind Toyota’s Sami Pajari in tied sixth with Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux.

The two-time Rally Japan winner will have the advantage of opening the road but is conscious that he will have to push given his slender 13-pint championship lead.

“The feeling is ok, like always it is technical here and quite twisty. It is the same story as usual but let’s see how the weekend will play out,” Evans told Motorsport.com.

“We have to try our best to not make a mistake obviously and also to drive quickly, and try to be as accurate as we can. It is not easy here to get the balance right. It is the same for everyone.

“You have to take as many points as you can. It is simple.”