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
Toyota doesn't feel disadvantaged relying on private WRC tests
WRC Rally Croatia: Neuville leads from Ogier after Rovanpera crashes
How Tanak turned the tables to deliver Hyundai a timely WRC triumph
The 2019 champion has been a bit-part player recently, but Ott Tanak ended a 15-month drought in fine style with a dominant win in Sardinia. On a weekend when championship leader Kalle Rovanpera struggled with cleaning the road, his Hyundai rival has made his belated arrival into the title race and given cause for those predicting a walkover from the Toyota star to pause
How Rovanpera overcame rallying royalty in Portugal to extend his WRC lead
Although the Rally Portugal entry list featured World Rally Championship royalty in Sebastiens Loeb and Ogier, victory was secured by rallying's rising star in Kalle Rovanpera. Here's the story of his 2022 hat-trick, as his key rivals faltered among the gravel and asphalt ahead of them
The former WRC star playing the unsung hero role for Rovanpera
Kalle Rovanpera’s 2022 World Rally Championship displays have been spectacular, with the Toyota driver benefitting from a secret weapon in his crew to win two of the opening three rallies. But while the former challenger to Sebastien Loeb won’t take credit for his fellow Finn's performances, a key bond has been formed which could prove key to Rovanpera’s title charge
How Rovanpera's Croatia turnaround sent a message to his WRC rivals
After a dominating Rally Croatia, a wrong tyre choice on the final day looked to have undone all Kalle Rovanpera's hard work and left him with a mountain to climb heading into the power stage. That he emerged the winner all the same has surely quelled any lingering doubts that the Finn is the man to beat in the 2022 WRC
How M-Sport's faith in Loubet led to a WRC reprieve after a dismal 2021
It's fair to say 2021 was a year to forget for Pierre-Louis Loubet. A maiden full World Rally Championship season offered hope but soon turned into a nightmare that ended in hospital, after being hit by a car in a road traffic accident. Now handed a lifeline by M-Sport, the Frenchman is desperate to rebuild his career
Why WRC mechanics deserve more respect
The drivers get the glare of attention, but it’s the mechanics who are key to the operation of any World Rally Championship car. Autosport donned a set of overalls and joined M-Sport on a Belgian national rally event to get an inside look into the trials and tribulations of a rally mechanic
The African McRae aiming to become a WRC pioneer
Taking his first step into the Junior World Rally Championship category, McRae Kimathi - named after 1995 world champion Colin - found himself in the unfamiliar climes of Sweden's snow and ice. Having impressed, Kimathi hopes to blaze a trail to the top level of WRC and help other African drivers to step onto the ladder
How Rovanpera grabbed the Rally Sweden spotlight after the Loeb vs Ogier show
After a blockbuster opening act to the new era of the World Rally Championship with the battle of the Sebastiens at Monte Carlo, Rally Sweden would be the first chance to assess the next superstar of rallying. While teething issues with the new hybrid power thwarted some of the cast, Kalle Rovanpera’s display gave him headline billing