Kalle Rovanpera, the Finnish rally driver, has accrued several “youngest ever” accolades in the World Rally Championship, including finishing on the podium, rally winner and world champion — a crown he has worn twice, in 2022, 2023 and is in contention for a third this year.
He has been driving since he could reach the pedals, entering the W.R.C. when he was 17. But at the age of 25, Rovanpera is retiring from rallying. Instead, he has a new ambition, which is to compete in circuit competition and aim for Formula 1.
“The transition to circuit racing, and especially formula cars, is going to be quite tough,” Rovanpera said in an interview last month. “I’m 25, which is not old, but also not super young anymore. I wanted to do it now, when I still have the real chance to do the thing properly and have a good go at it, and in a serious way.”
He was referring to competing on a track, wheel to wheel with other racecars, instead of racing solo against the clock as in the W.R.C. Rovanpera is not the first W.R.C. driver to move to circuit racing, but he is making that move while at the peak of his powers.
Rovanpera reduced his W.R.C. program in 2024, completing only a partial campaign for Toyota Gazoo Racing, during which he made his circuit racing debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, where he won three races and finished fourth.
“I just had a lot of fun there,” he said. “That was the biggest reason why I started to think I wanted to do more circuit racing, and this year when we started to think about the next steps we came up with this plan with Toyota, and they also realized I’m really serious about it and want to do it properly.”
Rovanpera is sponsored by the Red Bull brand, which led to a private test of its 2012-spec Formula 1 car last November.
“I had a few fast laps at the end of the day with a new set of tires, and it was something that felt amazing to see the potential of the cars,” he said. “Obviously, not being on the limit, but that really gave the idea to see where it is and how well I could drive these cars.”
Supported by Toyota, Rovanpera will race in the Japanese Super Formula Championship in 2026. It is a high-level category.
“It’s kind of in-between Formula 1 and Formula 2 in terms of the speed,” said Ayumu Iwasa, a test driver in Formula 1 for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, who has won races in Formula 2 and Super Formula. “It is a really good championship to prepare the driver for Formula 1 because the way we work as a team is really close to Formula 1. We have a lot of engineers and mechanics.”
The 2026 season will feature 12 races across seven events at five circuits, a relatively light schedule compared with Formula 1’s 24 races on 24 tracks. Rovanpera will undertake a large-scale testing program in open-wheel cars, have regular simulator sessions and a program to train his muscles — particularly the neck — to cope with high corner speeds. He has already tested an older Formula 2 car.
“It’s a super-fast car, it’s a big step, but we thought whatever I do it will be a jump to the deep end,” he said. “The Super Formula is a really good car to learn the racecraft, driving with a high aero car and physically getting used to a high aero car, and training myself physically.”
Heikki Kovalainen, a veteran of 111 Grands Prix, who raced in Japan late in his career, said there would be other challenges.
“I’ve always felt Super Formula is a series where the drivers have already learned the basics and know how to guide the team and be successful,” Kovalainen said. “Kalle, obviously being a rookie, will need some guidance and support at the beginning.”
Kovalainen has every expectation that Rovanpera “can be fast and drive the car fast given enough tires and time on a given circuit,” but pointed to the peculiarities of different categories.
“I’ve no doubt about his skill,” Kovalainen said. “But that’s not the only thing you need to do to progress in single-seaters. You usually have one lap in practice and one lap in qualifying, and then the tires are gone, so you have to be able to do that, then in the race you’re racing other cars.”
Iwasa, the test driver, said Rovanpera would be helped because he would be entering 2026 with a clean slate, rather than adapting from other circuit-based categories.
“Everything will be new for him,” Iwasa said. Having competed against the clock in the W.E.C., Rovanpera is excited to directly battle other drivers.
“When you drive your whole life just yourself against the clock it’s quite refreshing to look in mirrors or play with the car in front of you, so it’s really interesting,” he said.
Rovanpera’s plan is to move to Formula 2 in 2027 and ultimately step up to Formula 1.
“Obviously it’s a big goal,” Rovanpera said. “We know for Formula 1 you need to do many things right, not only drive well, but be in the right place at the right time to get there. But when we started this program the idea was to do it so well that at least we have all the chances — if everything goes right — to reach the highest level, which would be Formula 1.”
The Formula 1 veteran Valtteri Bottas, who will race for the new Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026, said he believed the pathway was possible for his fellow Finn.
“It’s extremely difficult, but it is realistic,” Bottas said. “That’s up to him, we’ll see how the next two or three years go, but if he does well, with his name and connections, you never say never.”
Bottas added, “If he works hard I’m sure he can catch up. He’s definitely got the talent for driving.”
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