TOYOTA’S ROVANPERA TIPPED TO HANDLE THE WRC HEAT IN CROATIA
Kalle Rovanpera can handle the pressure of being seeded number one for Croatia’s first World Rally Championship event next week.
That’s according to his Toyota team boss Jari-Matti Latvala, who reckons the 20-year-old Finn won’t be fazed by topping the 68-car entry list as the WRC leader on the April 22-25 round.
“You can think there will be pressure being first on the road but I have a feeling he’ll be very cool and calm, he can handle the pressure very well in difficult situations,” Latvala told MN. “I feel positive that even though it’s a new situation for him he’s ready and it’s also great inspiration to be leading the points standing.
“Of course, Kalle is still a young guy and still needs to collect experience so we know it can be a tough challenge coming up. But, generally, it’s a great opportunity for him to see how he can make himself the lines and he doesn’t need to worry about somebody putting gravel on the road for you.”
Rovanpera and his Toyota teammates Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and Sebastien Ogier were testing in Croatia last week. All four had a day each in a Yaris WRC test car.