Kalle Rovanperä’s pace at the Monte Carlo Rally has been, at best, perplexing. As the reigning two-time World Rally champion, expectations were high, but so far, his GR Yaris Rally1 has looked far from its menacing best on dry Tarmac. While he’s managed one stage win, the Finnish prodigy has spent much of the rally scratching his head, particularly with the unfamiliar Hankook tires on dry surfaces.
Bringing Saturday to a close with a middling fifth-fastest time, Rovanperä’s self-assessment was as blunt as ever:
“I found myself again, quite slow. I have no answer,” he admitted.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
The issue lies in preparation—or the lack of it. Limited running on dry Tarmac during testing left Rovanperä and his Toyota team playing catch-up from the start. Unlike his rivals, he’s had to contend with adapting on the fly, which hasn’t been his strong suit this weekend.
“It depends a lot on what the weather is doing,” Rovanperä told reporters. “But, of course, how the pace has been today, I don’t think we have much to do. It depends on what kind of pace we have tomorrow.”
Despite his measured words, there’s no disguising his frustration. Yet, it’s a testament to Rovanperä’s maturity that he hasn’t appeared lost. He hasn’t forgotten how to drive fast—his two world titles attest to that. Instead, it’s a case of finding the balance and extracting performance from unfamiliar conditions.
“I just need to drive quicker,” he quipped with a wry smile, underlining his calm confidence even amidst struggles.
Is This a Weakness?
Unsurprisingly, the service park has been abuzz with speculation. Is Rovanperä’s lukewarm performance a sign of vulnerability? Has the 24-year-old slipped into complacency after back-to-back titles?
Enter teammate Elfyn Evans with a knowing grin.
“I wouldn’t be putting any money on that lasting too long, knowing Kalle,” said the Welshman.
Evans’ cautionary words carry weight. Rovanperä has a habit of bouncing back when least expected. His ability to analyze, adapt, and respond is unparalleled among his peers. It’s what separates champions from mere competitors.
Playing the Long Game
Sunday’s final stages may not bring a miraculous turnaround for Rovanperä, but that might not matter. A less-than-stellar Monte could set him up perfectly for Rally Sweden, where road position will be crucial. Starting further back on snowy stages offers a significant advantage, and Rovanperä knows it.
The true test of his mettle will come in Sweden, three weeks from now. By then, he’ll have had time to digest and recalibrate. The icy roads of Bygdsiljum, north of Umeå, will provide a clearer picture of whether Rovanperä’s Monte Carlo dip was merely an outlier or a sign of deeper challenges.
Conclusion: Beware the Silent Finn
Kalle Rovanperä’s Monte Carlo performance may have raised eyebrows, but writing him off would be a mistake. His calm demeanor and strategic thinking suggest he’s already looking beyond Monte Carlo. As Evans hinted, it’s not a question of if Rovanperä will bounce back, but when.
Rally fans and rivals alike should heed the warning: a quiet Rovanperä is often the most dangerous. Come Sweden, the world may once again witness why he’s the reigning king of rallying.