(25.06.2024) Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen will drive Toyota GR Yaris Rally in Polish WRC counter, replacing Sebastien Ogier and Vincent Landais. French duo was forced to withdraw from ORLEN 80th Rally Poland after the minor crash which occurred during the recce on Tuesday.
Rovanpera and Halttunen, two-time World Rally Champions, have been allowed to compete in round seven of 2024 WRC season. Finnish crew already landed at the airport in Szymany and is expected to arrive in Mikolajki on Tuesday evening. They will do the reconnaissance on individual schedule on Wednesday and Thursday.
This is going to be a maiden outing in Poland for 23-year-old driver. Jyvaskyla-born champion did not compete in Poland before. However, he was preparing for tarmac events during test sessions in Lower Silesia.
Rovanpera have 68 WRC outings under his belt, including 48 behind the wheel of top-category rally car (WRC and Rally1). He made his WRC debut on Wales Rally GB in 2017, at the age of just 17 years and 25 days. He concluded 2017 season by clinching the Latvia Rally Champion title. Two year later he won WRC2 Pro category. Rovanpera have won as many as 12 WRC rounds. His first victory came in 2021 season in Estonia. In two following season he sealed World Rally Champion titles.