Two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä has turned a new page in his career. His transition from rally stages to circuit racing became concrete when official tests of Japan’s Super Formula series began at Suzuka Circuit.
Rovanperä left the World Rally Championship after last season and is now focusing on Japan’s highly competitive formula category. The season opener takes place in early April. It marks his first full campaign in single-seater race cars — a completely new environment for the Finn.
A challenging test day at Suzuka
The opening test day quickly showed how demanding the transition can be:
- Technical issues in the morning limited his track time
- His pace improved in the afternoon
- Rain and several red flags disrupted the rhythm
- Rovanperä went off track once in slippery conditions
The learning curve is steep, but days like this lay the foundation for what lies ahead.
Bold ambitions at KCMG
Rovanperä represents the Hong Kong–based KCMG team, which is entering its 17th season in Super Formula. Team principal Ryuji Doi did not hide the team’s ambitions:
“Our goal is to win the championship. We believe Yamashita and Rovanperä can fight for the title.”
Talk of a championship is ambitious, as Rovanperä lacks the single-seater experience of many seasoned drivers in the series.
Measured but determined
Rovanperä’s own approach is more measured:
“I hope for a good first formula season. I’m excited about the new team and the Japanese fans.”
The first season will be about adaptation — mastering a different driving style, understanding aerodynamic performance, racing closely on circuits, and managing strategy-focused race weekends, all of which differ significantly from rallying.
Suzuka’s test provided the first real glimpse into this new chapter of Rovanperä’s career. The goals are high, but in the beginning, building experience and adapting to the new discipline will be the priority. If the adjustment comes quickly, the Finn could find himself in the championship fight — perhaps sooner than many expect.
About the Author
