Kalle Rovanpera - rallying's youngest champion

**Maui J.** · 18th January 2026, 08:01

Kalle's results of Round #2. CTFROT (Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy), Taupo Race Track, NZ. 17-18th January.

Race #1. Qualified 14th (1.046 sec off pole), finished 16th
Race #2. Started 16th (previous race result), finished 10th
Race #3. Started 15th (combined best lap times of race 1 & 2), finished 14th
Race #4. Qualified 15th (a very wet qualifying session, 1.6 secs off pole), finished 12th in the dry.

Did he improve from last weekend's races? I would say a slight improvement. He is definitely still a back-runner, but in saying this, the TV commenters, who are either current or former circuit racers, are giving him lots of kudos, and all believe he is quickly learning the race craft that the others drivers have been learning since they were in karts as 6 year olds.
Probably not the results everyone was hoping for, but realistically it's probably what was to be expected.
Another 2 weekends of racing coming.

**saco0o** · 19th January 2026, 22:16

he finished 9th on the 4th race, no? (Taupo)

**Kenneth** · 24th January 2026, 01:18

Round 3 Race 1: In a wet race Kalle finished 3rd after qualifying 3rd

**Sulland** · 24th January 2026, 03:59

He is learning quick!

**deephouse** · 24th January 2026, 05:48

It takes time and he does have it with his age. I believe he can get at least in F2 if not in main league, but assuming Toyota took over Haas completely in a year or two he will reach that too

**Maui J.** · 25th January 2026, 07:35

Originally Posted by saco0o

he finished 9th on the 4th race, no? (Taupo)

Correct! My mistake.

**Maui J.** · 25th January 2026, 08:12

Qualifying #1 on Saturday morning was actually a lottery, as there were 3 red flags and many drivers didn't even get a 'push lap' in before the next red flag appeared. There were a lot of angry team managers. Kalle actually qualified 6th but was bumped to 3rd as the some ahead of him were penalised for causing red flags or other infringements. In saying that Kalle definitely held his own during the race and got his first circuit podium.

Kalle's results of Round #3. CTFROT (Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy), Teretonga Park, Invercargill, NZ. 24-25th January.

Race #1. Qualified 6th, started 3rd. Finished 3rd
Race #2. Started 6th (top 8 result from race#1 reverse grid). Finished 5th
Race #3 Not held. Saturday's Race #2 was postponed due to heavy rain, and held on Sunday. Therefore Race#3 didn't run due to time restraints.
Race #4. Qualified 7th (0.6sec off pole time of 1:01.88). Finished 7th

A much better weekend for Kalle. His car control in the slippery wet conditions really came into play.

**saco0o** · 28th January 2026, 18:44

kalle got a p3! the race starts around 21:40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdDZrC2on9w

**Kenneth** · 29th January 2026, 08:53

Originally Posted by deephouse

It takes time and he does have it with his age. I believe he can get at least in F2 if not in main league, but assuming Toyota took over Haas completely in a year or two he will reach that too

Toyota didn't take over Haas, they are just titular sponsor and technical partner. I don't think they'll fully take over until 2031, when they could use their own engines.

**deephouse** · 29th January 2026, 11:43

And until then there will be more and more involvement into project, every year after year until a point where there will be no more Haas name on it. And people will get used to it.