Kalle Rovanperä, who drove a huge victory, trumped the others especially with one of his trump cards – direct words from an expert about Esapekka Lapi’s situation

The World Rally Championship in Portugal was Kalle Rovanperän party. The first victory this season brought the Finnish World Championship to the top and was a great relief for the driver himself. He topped off his great weekend by being fastest on the Power Stage that ended the race.

Hyundai’s Dani Sordo lost over 50 seconds and was second. Esapekka Lappi was third in the second race in a row.

– I’ve been missing this feeling. We are back. I want to thank Jonny (map reader Possessed) and team. They have pushed forward well the whole time, Rovanperä stated at the finish line of the rally.

The Portuguese rally is one of the most challenging in the World Series. Gravel roads are really slippery and on special tests a lot of really big rocks get on the road. This year’s rally was not without flat tires or crashes.

Rovanperä was able to be clearly faster than the others, but also save his tires and drive the most challenging sections accurately. Sports expert Henri Haapamäki specifically considers Rovanperä’s combination of certainty and speed to be the 22-year-old Finn’s biggest trump card.

– Driving at the risk limit in such a way that it is not exceeded. Kalle’s speed is not a momentary over-attempt, but it is his basic speed, which he can drive with reasonable certainty and bring the equipment to the finish line intact, the expert describes Rovanperä’s strength.

Saturday’s knockout blow was unfathomable

Rovanperä finally decided the Portuguese rally on Saturday. He increased his lead from ten seconds to almost a minute during the day, and forged the five special stages. Rovanperä was also able to regulate his tire consumption throughout the rally.

– These have been seen, that you drive hard for a while and then the rear corner hits something or the tire goes flat. Sharp stones and places are rounded with millimeter-precise moves. Kalle is absolutely phenomenal at it at the moment, Haapamäki describes.

Haapamäki says that in the current World Series, different drivers are able to drive record times and be fast. In addition to skill and certainty, Haapamäki reminds us that luck plays its own role in success.

– In Portugal, the alternator from another Toyota broke, and yes, cars have the same parts. So, of course, success requires luck to be on your side, he states.

The reigning world champion himself stated after the World Cup rally in Croatia that the car’s settings must be in better condition before the rally, in order not to lose too much on the first day of driving. In Portugal, Rovanperä was the fastest on the opening day.

– They certainly prepared for this competition with a hard work ethic. However, there are many other things than the fact that the car feels good. It is the culmination of the cooperation between the fleet and the driver, when the good adjustments can be measured out of the car, Haapamäki opens up the whole.

Toyota team manager Jari-Matti Latvala was satisfied with his protégé’s dominance and how Kalle prepared for the rally after last year’s more challenging early season.

– He was really hungry for victory and determined even before the rally, Latvala fumed.

According to Haapamäki, there was an indication of Rovanperä’s will to win when the Finn started to attack the Power Stage, even though he had practically secured the victory of the rally. Many would have been satisfied with just winning the rally.

– If before the season there was talk about how hungry you are when you have won the championship. “Are you interested in other things?” Those speeches can be forgotten, Haapamäki uploads and praises Rovanperä’s work ethic outside of competitions.

Esapekka Lappi can challenge Thierry Neuville

Esapekka Lappi was particularly fast on Friday and in the shorter sections on Saturday. Lapland’s pace was disconcertingly slow on two occasions during the longest special stage of the rally, which made the rally crowd doubt Hyundai’s team order by Thierry Neuville for. That’s how the situation looked to Haapamäki as well.

The expert was satisfied with Lapland’s performance in the rally. According to him, it must be taken into account that the team and the car are still quite new to Lapland, and Hyundai’s Rally1 car does not have too much driving experience.

– This was a good rally for Lapland. It is right in Napsu’s head that he would drive to win rallies. We can expect strong results when they get the pieces to fall into place, Haapamäki estimates.

Neuville seems to be Hyundai’s clear number one driver. The experienced rally man believes that Lap has a chance to challenge Neuville in Hyundai’s hierarchy. According to Haapamäki, it is not good for the driver’s motivation if he is faster than his teammate and the team slows down his speed.

– Hyundai certainly thinks about the overall picture and how Lappi can manage to work, describes Haapamäki.

– If the other is always faster, and they have to be told to take off from the front, it won’t last long, the expert adds.

If Neuville’s difficulties and thin points pot continue, Lapland has a chance to strike.

– They watch a few rallies, see what Neuville’s level is and whether he is in the championship fight or not, Haapamäki estimates.