Kalle Rovanperä on the way to the double in Estonia?

Last year, the success of Kalle Rovanperä, born in Jyväskylä in 2000, was not a huge surprise. Almost programmed to play a major role in the WRC, Kalle had already demonstrated his ability to drive fast during his previous performances at the wheel of the Toyota. In the lead from SS4, he was no longer caught, setting a new record in terms of precocity. Returning to this event which will forever remain special for him, the Finn presents himself with even more arguments. Since the start of the season, the crew of the Yaris No. 69 has won 4 of the 6 races (Sweden, Croatia, Portugal, Kenya) contested.

At only 21 years old, the current leader of the WRC already has 6 successes to his name, but above all he has managed to win on all surfaces, from asphalt to snow and including several types of ground. In addition to this impressive background and the confidence accumulated since January, Kalle knows that he will be able to have an even more competitive car. Indeed, after having insisted on reliability to get through the start of the calendar and especially the terrible Portugal/Sardinia/Safari sequence, Tom Fowler, the technical director of the TGR and his staff, placed the emphasis on the search for performance.

Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen on their way to their first WRC success in 2021 (Nikos Katikis / DPPI)

With such arguments, to which is added a position on the road which should not be too penalizing, Rovanperä seems to be on the right path to having two successes in the same event. He is not at all accustomed to doing this, but could excess confidence lead him to make a mistake? Thierry Neuville and especially Ott Tänak who have nothing left to lose, will they have in their hands a Hyundai i20 which will allow them to come and bother the favorite? In Sébastien's absence Loeb, which crew will be able to make the Puma Rally1 shine? If the 1,66 km super special on Thursday evening will undoubtedly be anecdotal, the first times on Friday morning should provide rich lessons.

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