Kalle Rovanpera expects to face a “massive problem” to arrange for Rally Poland after receiving a last-minute call up to replace Sebastien Ogier whereas he was repairing his jet ski.
Toyota has drafted in Rovanpera and co-driver Jonne Halttunen to pilot the workforce’s third GR Yaris in Poland, which returns to the World Rally Championship calendar for the primary time since 2017 this week, after Ogier and Vincent Landais have been involved in a road traffic accident while preparing pacenotes and withdrew from the event.
Double world champion Rovanpera, contesting a partial schedule of occasions this yr, was getting ready to exit on the lake on his jet ski when he was requested by the workforce to return to Poland after Toyota sought permission from the FIA to area the Finnish pair.
It has since been confirmed that each one concerned within the accident have undergone scans which confirmed no indicators of significant damage. Landais was discharged from hospital yesterday, whereas Ogier remained underneath medical remark in a single day earlier than being released today.
“It was unusual day yesterday, however to begin with it was good to listen to by noon that Seb and Vincent have been high-quality which is the principle factor,” mentioned Rovanpera.
“Then I acquired the decision from Kaj [Lindstrom, Toyota sporting director] whereas I used to be altering some spark plugs on my jet ski earlier than occurring the lake, then he referred to as, and I knew what it was about.
“The workforce made the decision for us to return right here and naturally myself and Jonne weren’t ready in any respect, so it was not a simple resolution to return right here.
“However after all we wish to assist the workforce as a lot as we will with the workforce factors; they’re essential this yr, so hopefully we will do this.”
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Picture by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
Rovanpera jumped on aircraft to Poland final evening to have the opportunity participate in as we speak’s recce, which is able to see him navigate by means of the entire rally’s levels in little over 24 hours earlier than the occasion begins on Thursday evening.
When requested concerning the enormity of the problem to arrange for a rally in such a brief house of time, he added: “It’s fairly a giant problem.
“We mainly have to do an entire rally nearly in at some point and, after all, not watching any movies earlier than can be fairly a troublesome night and tomorrow making an attempt to study what we will. It won’t be straightforward with this schedule.
“It’s actually tough to know what may be potential [this weekend], as we haven’t had a check within the automobile earlier than this rally.
“We have to see on the shakedown if we’re in an accurate method. It relies upon how good we will do the recce and stuff.
“Usually in a rally like this I want to struggle for the win, however possibly this weekend it’s not really easy to do.
“In fact we are going to attempt to do our greatest and convey some good factors for the workforce.”