WRC points leader Rovanpera "super annoyed" after Rally Croatia crash
WRC championship leader Kalle Rovanpera says he's “super annoyed” to have exited Rally Croatia on the very first stage.
The young Finn crashed out heavily around three miles into the asphalt event’s ‘Plesivica’ test – the shortest of the weekend at 4.31-miles.
As Rovanpera approached a tightening right hander, his Toyota Yaris ran wide and was sucked off the road.
Both he and co-driver Jonne Halttunen managed to walk away unhurt, although their car sustained considerable panel damage.
Just moments prior to their demise, the pair recorded a split time none of the remaining WRC crews managed to better.
Posting on Twitter, Rovanpera revealed he had been struggling with the car’s handling prior to the off.
The car itself is being recovered and being returned to service where it is hoped mechanics can repair the damage and have it ready in time for tomorrow’s stages.
“I am super annoyed,” said Rovanpera.
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
“The whole opening stage was super slippery and we were struggling with a lot of understeer. I
still tried to push, but on this fast right hander grip just completely disappeared and we understeered off the road into the trees.
“Really sorry for the team; this was my mistake and I will learn from this.
“Mechanics will check the car once we get it back to service to see if the car is fixable for tomorrow.”
Prior to the start of the Zagreb-based rally, the 20-year-old told Autosport that opening the road brought a greater element of risk as opposed to reward, with mud and gravel a common sight this morning.
“On the Friday loop, it looks as though there are not many places you can gain [time by opening the road] because after the recce many stages are already dirty and they’re not going to clean,” he said.
“I don’t know if [first place] is going to help. It is going to be really tricky because it is a new event and you need new pace notes, so there is going to be lots of challenges,” he added.
Rovanpera’s retirement opened the door to Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who leads the third round by 7.3 seconds from Elfyn Evans after four stages. Reigning champion Sebastien Ogier is a further five seconds off the pace in third.
Related video
Previous article
Toyota doesn't feel disadvantaged relying on private WRC tests
Next article
WRC Rally Croatia: Neuville leads from Ogier after Rovanpera crashes
About this article
| Series | WRC |
| Event | Rally Croatia |
| Author | Jason Craig |
Why there's no easy fix for Hyundai's operational Achilles Heel
Hyundai Motorsport boss Andrea Adamo was vocal in his criticism of his team's tyre choices on Rally Croatia and declared that he "had better move my ass and solve it". Doing so will be vital to getting Hyundai's 2021 WRC title hopes back on track, but finding the root of the problem won't be the work of a moment
How Ogier held on after a shock bump in the road to triumph in Croatia
Sebastien Ogier was already in an incredibly tight fight at Rally Croatia before a surprise collision with public road traffic at the start of the final day. But the defending champion held his nerve to take a narrow victory and create further World Rally Championship history
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
