Double world champion Rovanpera calls time on rally career / Photo: © Lehtikuva/AFP
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Double world champion Rovanpera calls time on rally career
Two-time title-holder Kalle Rovanpera announced his retirement from the world rally championship on Thursday aged just 25 "to pursue my next dreams".
The Finn made history when becoming the youngest ever driver at 22 to seal the WRC crown in 2022 with six wins.
He defended the title, again at the wheel of a Toyota and with co-driver Jonne Halttunen alongside, the following year.
After a fine success in the Canary Islands and an emotional home win in Finland he is still in the hunt to leave the WRC stage in style with a third title.
He is leaving the world of rallying to try a new venture, still with Toyota, in the Japanese Super Formula Championship.
"This decision has not been an easy one, but it's one that I have been thinking about for a while," Rovanpera told wrc.com.
"Having already achieved so much in rallying at this age, I started to think about what other possibilities I might have and what other challenges I would like to take on. It has been a tough decision, but it feels like the right one to pursue my next dreams and challenges."
He added: "We still have three rallies to go this year and we will give it everything and keep pushing until the end."
T.Bondarenko--BTB
