2025 WRC News & Rumours

[doubled1978]

I think it’s great, he has achieved so much so early, why wouldn’t he try something else..Rallying is about to go through a period of change and who knows where we will be in 2-3 years time.

[denkimi]

Rovanperas move is a shock to me. But what I hope now, is Rovanpera making it to F1 - I mean regular starter in F1. Rovanpera has talent and has been driving cars from very very young age. He probably has a very good feel of a car and its movement and its limits. Yes - F1 drivers have become WRC regulars, but no other way around. Let's hope Rovanpera will be the first unicorn. He is still young, could make it to F1 with Toyota and red bull backing. F1 cahmpion - higly unlikely, bet F1 regular for couple of seasons - could happen.

No. He might do some test one day, but he's never going to make it into an f1 race.

[spark13]

I hope to be wrong, but Kalle could became Taka in F1, been there, just because he is 'Japanese'...

[AndersX]

We all should be happy for Dirtfish - just today they managed to make 2 articles and 1 podcast. Wait min 3 more tomorrow. But Autosport is also cooking - 3 articles already.

It was expected. What people in modern sports are not getting - this Iphone generation is different - they get bored, motivations go up and down, their triggers for max focus are different. Kalle simply got bored and lost the spark for rallying - he had been driving fast since kindergarten. He was driving Rally 2 type car even before 15. He had been winning since 14 years old. The same 10 years of Loeb, just in different form.

I find this refreshing for the sport. One high-profile place opens and I am 90% sure it will be filled with Solberg. If Ogier goes, then it will become more interesting. Tanak jumping seats in the last year of his full time carrier - possible, but I do not believe it (yet).

I also think that modern WRC has come closer to circuit racing as ever - those driver learn PS by heart, watching videos over and over again - there is only 1 ideal line and they all are chasing it.

Kalles departure is better for the sports. It has been way too boring in past years. I am actually very looking forward to 2027 rules and what will it bring by opening competition again.

At least some life in the forum again.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I Rallying is about to go through a period of change and who knows where we will be in 2-3 years time.

This is probably also part of Kalle's reasons. The new cars moving to Rally2-power in 2027 wont give him any missing buzz.

Toyota will also appreciate having the high Rally2 experience of Solberg in developing their new car. Kalle wouldn't enjoy this but Solberg will love it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Dirtfish take, with some Kalle clips on his decision:

https://youtu.be/i7SMSSqJJtM?si=nAW4Fa1aircMnPNW

[PLuto]

Dirtfish take, with some Kalle clips on his decision:

https://youtu.be/i7SMSSqJJtM?si=nAW4Fa1aircMnPNW

One imporant notice in general - current Rally1 drivers are afraid of season 2027 with brand new cars (most probably current Rally2 with bigger restrictor and aero as nobody except Toyota will be ready with new car)...

[Steve Boyd]

Before you get too excited about Rovanpera in F1, remember that in Superformula in Japan he'll be racing against drivers with 15 to 20 years of racing experience. They all started in karts when they were little kids so driving in traffic and picking overtakes is second nature to them. Kalle is going to have to learn this. It isn't just about driving fast if you want results, unless you're that good you always qualify on pole & lead every lap!

[deephouse]

I'm happy for him. But also feel sad, the WRC will loose one of the best drivers on the grid. I mean more great drivers, better battles through seasons. When do we last had 4 or five drivers fighting for the title? It was always two drivers battle or even one only dominating every event after event.

I completely understand him. He wants to try something other than rallying. He has his age at his side, have experience, two titles, many other achievements. I know it's completely different discipline, but he will surely not be last or first from the start. I bet even if he would drive against some F1 drivers currently on the grid, he would beat them fair and square. We all know that many of them are there just because of the money and not real talent.

[becher]

I'm happy for him. But also feel sad, the WRC will loose one of the best drivers on the grid. I mean more great drivers, better battles through seasons. When do we last had 4 or five drivers fighting for the title? It was always two drivers battle or even one only dominating every event after event.

I completely understand him. He wants to try something other than rallying. He has his age at his side, have experience, two titles, many other achievements. I know it's completely different discipline, but he will surely not be last or first from the start. I bet even if he would drive against some F1 drivers currently on the grid, he would beat them fair and square. We all know that many of them are there just because of the money and not real talent.

Haven't watched F1 lately have you?

Yes most of them come from rich families and can be considered nepo babies, but the quality of the grid is extremely high right now. Ten or twenty years ago it wasn't nearly as high let alone in the nineties.

But regardless Rovanperä, if he developes well, could certainly mix it with them.