A New Chapter Begins for the Former Rally Champion
Kalle Rovanperä officially embarked on his transition from rally stages to high-speed circuit racing on Wednesday, taking part in his first Super Formula test at the iconic Suzuka circuit. After stepping away from the World Rally Championship, the Finnish driver is preparing for a fresh challenge in Japan’s top-tier single-seater series, where precision and consistency replace the unpredictability of gravel and snow.
A Promising Start Cut Short
Rovanperä’s debut, however, didn’t go according to plan. Although he was scheduled to participate in both the morning and afternoon sessions, the Finn completed only the first half of the day. According to Japan’s Motorsport website, he fell ill during the test and was forced to withdraw from the later session.
Despite the setback, he managed 32 laps in the morning. His best lap time placed him 22nd among the 22 drivers—7.173 seconds off pace-setter Igor Fraga. While the gap was significant, the circumstances and steep learning curve of single-seater racing offer clear context.
Doohan Just Ahead as the Field Stays Tight
Just one spot in front of Rovanperä was Formula One driver Jack Doohan, who finished 21st, 4.152 seconds behind the session leader. The rest of the pack demonstrated remarkable competitiveness, with the top 20 drivers separated by little more than 2.5 seconds—a testament to Super Formula’s demanding level.
Plans for Heavy Mileage Now in Question
The Suzuka test is scheduled to continue through Thursday and Friday, and the original plan was for Rovanperä to accumulate as much track time as possible. With his sudden illness, however, the team’s programme may need to be adjusted.
Before the test began, Rovanperä expressed his excitement about the new challenge.
“I’m looking forward to kicking off my Super Formula career at the post-season test with Kids com Team KCMG. It’s going to be challenging with a lot to learn, but I’m excited by this move and can’t wait to get started,” he said in a team statement.
Team KCMG Eager to Fast-Track Their Rookies
KCMG motorsport director Ryuji Doi had emphasized how important these sessions were for the team’s newcomers:
“Our rookies, Kalle and Tokiya (Suzuki), are looking to get as much mileage as possible in Super Formula machinery.”
For now, much will depend on Rovanperä’s recovery, as every lap is invaluable during his transition from rallying to one of the fastest single-seater categories in the world.
