World champion driver makes sensational career switch

Two-time World Rally champion Kalle Rovanpera has announced he is walking away from WRC competition at the end of the year.

In a dramatic career change, the Finn will make the switch to Super Formula - a Japanese-based single-seater category.

Super Formula is often labelled as the fastest single-seater series in the world outside of F1.

Rovanpera will compete in the championship with support from Toyota Gazoo Racing, which has labelled the career change as a "transition the likes of which has never been seen before in motorsport".

Rovanpera became the youngest driver in WRC history to seal a world championship in 2022, doing so at the age of 22.

He added another WRC title to his tally in 2023 and is in contention for a third championship this year before he walks away from the series.

"This decision has not been an easy one, but it’s one that I have been thinking about for a while," Rovanpera explained. 

"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.

"I know that it’s jumping straight into the deep end, coming from rallying, but I’m really looking forward to it, and together with TGR, we have a good plan to prepare in the best way possible and to try and make the most of it."

Current F1 drivers Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson have competed in Super Formula in the past, with both finishing runner-up in the standings in 2017 and 2023, respectively.