Raw text from Kalle Rovanperä – This matter makes Finns think

Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä was reborn during the maintenance break at the Sardinia World Rally Championship.

Kalle Rovanperä had been in trouble during the morning run, and there was nothing to suggest that the Finn would fight for the podium places – let alone the victory.

However, at the daycare center, Rovanperä got his car to suit him better, and the ride was completely different on the afternoon run than in the morning.

Thus, the Finn was able to move up to fifth place in the overall standings by the evening. Rovanperä is 22.8 seconds behind his rally-leading teammate Sébastien Ogier. The gap is no longer impossible.

– Yes, it felt much better. In the morning we noticed what we could improve in the car and we were able to make those small changes to the car in the day care. Then there was also a bit of a driving line to follow, so it was much easier, Rovanperä said.

Pushing

Rovanperä has struggled with his car all season. Although better settings have now been found for the car, the Finn is still not completely satisfied with how the car behaves under his supervision.

– The credit is pretty good, but the end result is not the best possible. We didn’t drive that many kilometers today, but the tire wear is still quite high.

– It’s hard to get a car to drive smoothly like that. You have to force it quite a bit. On the second run there was already a bit of a groove, so you can push, but pushing is a bit too hard and then the tire wears out, Rovanperä lamented.

Morning at night

Rovanperä was able to take a victory by a save on Friday. However, the Finn did not give himself a good grade for the morning run. Not at all.

– Yes, that afternoon was a victory in defense. If it hadn’t been so bad in the morning, this would have been a pretty good day. The afternoon went pretty well.

Rovanperä is at least racing for the podium in Sardinia. The Finn doesn’t really think he’ll have time to fight for victory.

– I don’t know if we can catch up, but now we’re on a more even footing, so to speak. If we can get that feeling back tomorrow morning, which we had this afternoon, then of course anything is possible, Rovanperä mused.

Challenges Ahead

However, Rovanperä admitted that the success of the afternoon will give him more confidence heading into Saturday.

– Of course. Of course, the first run in the morning will definitely be difficult again, with so much loose gravel. There is less grip and there have been a few problems with that grip.

– Let’s hope that the car’s adjustments are now in the direction that the first run will now feel better.

The Sardinia World Rally Championship will also feature six special stages tomorrow, Saturday. Rovanperä does not predict an easy day for that either.

– There are some more familiar sections, but also some new ones. However, I would say that tomorrow will be just as tricky, Rovanperä predicted.