Single seat
Kalle Rovanperä withdraws from the season
Kalle Rovanperä will not be driving in Formula 1 this year. © Toyota Gazoo Racing
He wanted to push his limits, but his body said "stop". Two weeks before the start of the 2026 Super Formula season, Kalle Rovanperä has withdrawn from the Japanese championship.
The two-time World Rally Champion (2022 and 2023) posted a lengthy message on his social media. The former rally driver was forced to decline his participation with the KCMG team, supported by the Toyota Gazoo Racing, due to health issues.
"Hello everyone, I have some difficult news to share with you. I will have to withdraw from the upcoming races and suspend my participation in this year's Super Formula season. I have been dealing with health issues for some time now, and these have worsened this year. My current condition no longer allows me to continue racing safely. My absolute priority now is to resolve this issue."
The feedback and progress made this year show that there is real potential in this project. My time on the track is far from over. I am sincerely sorry for everyone who hoped to see me on the track.
I can't wait to see you all again as soon as possible! I am grateful to Morizo (Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of Toyota Motor Corporation), TGR (Toyota Gazoo Racing), and my partners for their kindness and support. I will continue to work hard to come back stronger. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
See this post on Instagram
Since his departure from WRC At the end of 2025, Kalle Rovanperä was facing several health issues. In December, he withdrew from the Super Formula winter tests at Suzuka due to paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This condition is caused by the dislodgement of small crystals in the inner ear. After recovering to compete in the Formula Regional Oceania winter season (finishing 16th), gastroenteritis forced him to withdraw from his Super Formula pre-season tests in early February.
His announced replacement
To compensate for his absence, the KCMG team will rely on Japanese driver Seita Nonaka (3rd in SF Lights in 2024), already named as the team's reserve driver. Nonaka will only compete in the Motegi meeting (April 3-5) before handing his seat over to another driver for the remainder of the SF season.
ALSO READ > Iwasa, Browning… Discover the complete Super Formula 2026 grid
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
21/03/2026 at 01:45 a.m.
That must be... worrying, otherwise he wouldn't announce the end of his season...? Get well soon... 😎👀👍