Kalle Rovanperä in the WEC in the future? "Nothing is impossible," according to Nakajima.

A two-time world rally champion, the 25-year-old Finn has decided to leave his lifelong sport at the end of the 2025 season to definitively pursue a career in motorsport. carAfter some tests in Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, he will begin a full-time Super Formula program in 2026, with the long-term goal of a place in Formula 1Supported by Red Bull et ToyotaRovanperä should be able to find an opportunity on the grid if he performs well.

In an interview with L'ÉquipeThe Jyväskylä native explains that single-seater racing was not his first choice. At the beginning of the year, when I started discussing the renewal of my contract, I made it clear that I wanted to do more circuit racing than... rally, he told our colleagues. They told me they were ready to support me in this endeavor and do things properly. In my mind, I was imagining GT racing or a Hypercar program, but it was they who suggested the single-seater option. »

Interviewed by AUTOhebdo on the sidelines of the 8 Hours of Bahrain, Kazuki Nakajima, vice-president of Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, mentioned the possibility of seeing Rovanperä one day in WEC. " Nothing is impossible. the Japanese man believes. It's an interesting adventure, and everyone—myself included—is curious to discover his new challenge and see what will come of it. With his experience, age, and qualities, he still has great potential. »

Regarding a possible test in the Japanese Hypercar, Nakajima adds: If he wants to, why not! I'd love to see him try the car, but it will also depend on him. He's already had a first look at it in the simulator. »

Interview by Valentin Glo, in Bahrain.

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