Kalle Rovanpera wrote World Rally Championship history books. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team driver has become the youngest ever series' champion, at just 22 years plus one day, thanks to his win at Rally New Zealand. Using OMP Racing suit, boots, gloves, underwear and seat, Kalle secured the crown in his third WRC season, breaking the previous age record set by Colin McRae in 1995.
The Finnish talent, son of former WRC driver Harri, affirmed himself as the benchmark in the debut year of new Rally1 hybrid cars, clinching victories in Sweden, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Kenya and Estonia as well.
"It means a lot, to become champion is the only goal we ever had in this sport", commented Kalle after the finish line. And now his mission can be considered accomplished.
The 2022 World Rally Championship still features two rounds, in Spain and Japan, where Kalle could even improve his score of six wins and 237 points at the wheel of his GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID, with Jonne Halttunen in the co-driver role.