Kalle Rovanperä will call time on his WRC career at the conclusion of the 2025 season, ending a spell that has so far delivered two world titles, 17 rally wins and a string of youngest-ever records.
Still only 25, the Finn made history from the moment he joined Toyota Gazoo Racing’s top-flight squad in 2020. On just his second start, he claimed a podium at Rally Sweden to become the FIA World Rally Championship’s youngest ever top-three finisher, before scoring a maiden win the following season at Rally Estonia – again setting a new age record.
The introduction of Rally1 hybrid regulations in 2022 proved a perfect match for the then-22-year-old and co-driver Jonne Halttunen. Victories on five of the opening seven rounds – plus a season-clinching triumph in New Zealand – sealed him the crown of youngest world champion in WRC history.
He defended the title in 2023 with a remarkably consistent campaign that saw the duo finish all but one rally inside the top four.
Even while contesting only seven rounds in 2024, Rovanperä triumphed four times to help Toyota secure a fourth consecutive manufacturers’ crown.
This season he remains firmly in the fight for a third drivers’ title after a standout success in the Canary Islands and an emotional first home win in Finland, where he set the fastest average speed ever recorded on a WRC rally.
No confirmation as to yet who will replace the flying finn but chances are that Oliver Solberg will be on of the leading contenders along with Ott Tanak rumoured to be in talks with Toyota in making a shock return.
