Does Rovanperä handle the pressure as reigning champion? SVT’s expert to Yle Sporten: “More pressure and attention now – he has the head to handle it”

Kalle Rovanperä is a hunted wild boar when the rally season starts. Can he handle the pressure placed on a reigning world champion? SVT’s expert Jonas Kruse singles out a newly minted Ott Tänak as the big threat.

For the first time since 2003, the WC rally series starts with a defending title holder from Finland. Then it was Marcus Grönholm, now it’s Kalle Rovanperä.

In an interview with Ilta-Sanomat says Grönholm about the tough year after his first WC title in 2000.

– It started to feel like you had to win all the time. Everyone expected victories and I began to expect it from myself as well. And you got quite tired when you were torn in all directions. There was almost too much rallying.

Grönholm is keeping his fingers crossed that Rovanperä will start 2023 strong. When Yle Sporten talks to SVT’s rally voice Jonas Kruse, he is on the same track.

– Last year, Kalle showed his mental strength. Now he says he will drive as usual, but that is not the case. It’s more pressure and attention. A good start would ensure that he does not start thinking too much and that the pressure does not become too great. If he can withstand this, it is entirely possible that he will defend the title.

A crux in the equation of a good start is that Monte Carlo has never been Rovanperä’s favourite. He has not stood on the podium in the classic premiere competition.

– This is one of the least pleasant races of the year for me and my driving style. I’m not usually scared in a rally, but this is perhaps the only competition where the tension can almost turn into fear, says Rovanperä to Yle Sports.

“His 2022 was magical”

After the podium miss in the premiere, Rovanperä went like a train in 2022. He won the Swedish WC rally and filled up with four more victories halfway into the season.

Despite a minor setback, the Finn held on easily and became by far the youngest world rally champion of all time.

– His 2022 was magical. He lined up victories on all surfaces and the mental strength seems to be enormous. He got out of a slump and it shows that he has his head with him, says Kruse.

– Actually, it shouldn’t be possible to become world champion so early, but he has a unique background. Toyota has also looked after Kalle in a very good way. But he also takes care of his conditions.

Who do you see as the early favorite this year?

– Toyota still looks the strongest, but it feels pretty even between Rovanperä and Ott Tänak. He has changed stables and is doing better.

Tänak needed a change of environment

The preliminary tips lean towards a more uncertain title battle with Rovanperä in Toyota, Tänak in M-Sport and Thierry Neuville in Hyundai as the three strongest cards from three different stables. Last year, Toyota was at the forefront early on with the development of the hybrid car, but now the situation has equalized.

– It is a tougher competition and it is good for the sport that there are winning drivers in all stables, says Rovanperä.

Tänak broke with Hyundai after last season in high profile fashion. The Estonian, who won the World Cup title in 2019, seems to be much more satisfied with life in his new stable.

– There had been wear and tear in Hyundai for a long time. It didn’t work internally and they were late with the development of the car for last season. Tänak needed a new environment and now he is becoming a distinct first driver, says Kruse.

– Now M-Sport is investing heavily in their Ford, they are testing a lot more and they are getting lots of routine with Tänak. It’s a deadly combination if they get the settings in order.

During Thursday, the drivers tested the car on a shorter test track in Monte Carlo and Rovanperä got along well. On Thursday, the first two special stages of the season are run in the evening darkness, and on Friday the first WC rally of the year continues.