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Rovanperä Takes Commanding Lead at Rally Islas Canarias
Kalle Rovanperä appears to have made significant strides in adapting to the new tyres introduced for the 2025 World Rally Championship, showcasing his prowess during Friday morning’s stages of Rally Islas Canarias. After a challenging start to the season that saw him lagging behind in the championship standings, the two-time world champion displayed a dramatic turnaround.
Despite entering the rally without a podium finish this year and facing a hefty 57-point deficit in the championship, Rovanperä excelled on the smooth asphalt, clinching victories in all three stages held in the morning. His performance put him 17.8 seconds ahead of fellow competitor and eight-time world champion, Sébastien Ogier, with championship leader Elfyn Evans in third place, trailing by an additional 2.4 seconds.
“We had a really good morning,” Rovanperä remarked. “The car felt quite normal, which is how it should be on these roads. Achieving a good flow is crucial; you can’t overdrive it, and it seems like the car is really working well for us.”
When asked about the changes that contributed to his newfound speed, Rovanperä noted: “We’ve discovered some strategies and adjustments to the car that suit the new tyres. That’s made a significant difference.” He also acknowledged that the unique stages and fresh notes in the Canary Islands played a role in his comfort level in navigating the challenging twisty roads.
“It’s not about one specific adjustment; it’s really about attaining the balance I need, which was elusive at the start of the season. We’ve made progress through hard work,” he added.
Ogier, credited for his exceptional speed on tarmac, recognized Rovanperä’s dominance, stating, “He’s definitely in a league of his own this morning. I’m struggling to match his pace.” Ogier noted that while his own morning was satisfactory, he remained unsatisfied with his car’s balance and continued to familiarize himself with the new tyre dynamics, optimistic about improvements for the afternoon stages.
Hyundai’s Struggles Create Concerns
In contrast to Toyota’s strong performance, Hyundai faced unexpected difficulties, grappling with a clear lack of speed that left the team puzzled. Adrien Fourmaux secured the best Hyundai finish in fourth place, 34.2 seconds behind, while Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville found themselves distanced in eighth and ninth places, respectively, at 42.9 and 45.4 seconds off the lead.
Neuville, the reigning champion, expressed his frustration, saying, “We’re dealing with understeer, and the car is lacking everything needed to drive quickly and attack the stages.” He remarked on the intensity of the struggle, which he felt had escalated compared to prior events.
Tanak echoed his teammate’s sentiments, pointing out that understeer was at the root of his challenges, as the car heavily strained the front tyres. “We have a general idea of the issue, but the reasons behind its prominence on the upgraded chassis compared to the previous model remain unclear,” he explained.
Hyundai’s technical director, François-Xavier Demaison, noted the unexpected drop in performance, citing that only weeks prior during a test in southern Spain, the team seemed to find a workable setup. “We may have been overconfident after the rally. It’s clear something is not functioning here as it did before,” he admitted.
Source
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