Kalle Rovanperä’s first championship ball – an expert explains what the Chilean rally is like: “I expect a strong front from the Finns”

Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä can secure his second consecutive world rally championship at the weekend in Chile.

Kalle Rovanperä gets to the fast gravel roads that suit him best, when the World Rally Championship points are being fought for in Chile. Rovanperä’s second consecutive world championship can already be sealed in South America.

Toyota driver Rovanperä has run away to a 33-point lead over his teammate to Elfyn Evans. There are still three races left in the World Championship, so even if Rovanperä wins, securing the championship would require bad luck for Evans. Evans would have to stay far from the top.

– Let’s start a normal race. Of course, you shouldn’t do anything stupid. You have to drive smart, Rovanperä said.

Right now the situation looks very good, but in a rally situations can change quickly.

– We got an important victory in Greece, and the World Cup situation looks good now. However, you have to maintain your concentration, because the rally will certainly be difficult. The conditions can be difficult and the grip can vary a lot, Rovanperä points out.

Sports expert Henri Haapamäki stresses that Rovanperä should not think at all about the fact that the championship is already on hold.

– I think that Kalle will go to any other competition. Of course, the championship is now possible to decide, but it requires real bad luck for team mate Evans, Haapamäki pointed out.

“The rally is certainly suitable for Finns”

Only once before, in 2019, did Rovanperä compete in the Rally2 classification with a Skoda.

– Even though I’ve already raced there once, the competition is kind of new for all of us. The clips have changed a lot, Rovanperä stated.

Haapamäki expects heavy artillery from the Finns.

– The rally is certainly suitable for Finns. A really fast gravel race, the roads are durable and well-surfaced. So there is no need to fear the car breaking down in the same way as in many other races, Haapamäki estimates.

Even Evans is sure to have fun on the fast gravel in Chile.

– Chilean roads have even been compared to Welsh roads. I think Evans has cleared his head. He will fight for every kilometer and every second. He practically has nothing to lose, Haapamäki thought.

No less than two Finns will be seen in the colors of the Korean team Hyundai, when Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen aiming for prize positions.

– I expect a tough front from the Finns. Lappi will get a good starting position, so I think he will be in a really strong position at Friday’s special tests, Haapamäki anticipates.

The Finns in the WRC2 class are competing with Skoda Emil Lindholm and Sami Pajari.