With a win at Repco Rally New Zealand Kalle Rovanperä has won the 2022 World Rally Championship.
The Youngest Ever
Kalle Rovanperä becomes the youngest ever World Rally Champion. Beating Rally legend Colin McRae by 5 years and 108 days. McRae has been the youngest champion since 1995 when he beat Juha Kankkunen by 140 days to take the record. Rovanperä would win the championship just one day after his 22nd birthday (in New Zealand time)
A Look Back On Rovanperä’s 2022 Season
Kalle Rovanperä has won six events so far this World Rally Championship season, with two remaining. Rovanperä’s first win of the season came at Rally Sweden back in February. His most recent being Repco Rally New Zealand.
Rallye Monte-Carlo
Rallye Monte-Carlo would be less than desirable for Rovanperä. As he would only take three stage wins, including the Power stage win. Rovanperä would place fourth in the event 36.7 seconds behind Craig Breen.
Rally Sweden
Rally Sweden would see Rovanperä take his first win of the season. Winning six stages in Sweden and placing second on the Power stage 1.9 seconds behind Tänak. Rovanperä would beat Thierry Neuville by 22 seconds to win the rally.
Croatia Rally
Croatia Rally would see Rovanperä take his second win of the season as well as back-to-back event wins. Rovanperä would take eight stage wins at the event, including the Power stage win. Rovanperä would win the rally by 4.3 seconds over Ott Tänak.
Vodafone Rally De Portugal
Vodafone Rally De Portugal would be Rovanperä’s third rally win of the season as well as his third consecutive rally win. Rovanperä would take eight stage wins at the event, including the Power stage win. Rovanperä would finish the rally 15.2 seconds ahead of Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans.
Rally Italia Sardegna
Rally Italia Sardegna would see Kalle Rovanperä’s win streak end at three. As Rovanperä would finish the rally fifth overall. Taking no stage wins unless you count a four-way tie for first a stage win. Rovanperä would place second on the Power stage, however. Finishing 2.3 seconds behind Thierry Neuville.
Safari Rally Kenya
Safari Rally Kenya would see Rovanperä pick up his pace again. Taking five stage wins at the event. Rovanperä would fail to take points on the Power stage, placing eighth overall, 1.5 seconds behind Oliver Solberg. Rovanperä would headline the Toyota podium lockout. Beating Elfyn Evans by 52.8 seconds to win the rally.
Rally Estonia
Rally Estonia would see Rovanperä take his fifth rally win of the season, as well as back-to-back wins for the second time this season. Rovanperä would dominate in Estonia. Winning 15 of the 24 stages, including the Power stage. Rovanperä would beat fellow Toyota driver Elfyn Evans by over a minute to win the rally.
Secto Rally Finland
Secto Rally Finland would see Rovanperä’s roll slowed yet again. As he would place second overall at the rally, 6.8 seconds behind rally winner Ott Tänak. Rovanperä would take seven stage wins at the event.
Ypres Rally Belgium
Ypres Rally Belgium would see Rovanperä slowed even more. As Ott Tänak would win his second straight event and third of the season to put himself back in the championship picture. Rovanperä would temporarily retire just two stages into the rally. This would come after Rovanperä cut a corner and rolled. Rovanperä would return to the rally. Winning two stages including the Power stage.
EKO Acropolis Rally Greece
EKO Acropolis Rally Greece would see Rovanperä lose his third straight event of the year. Rovanperä would finish the rally 15th overall. Although Rovanperä failed to finish top 10 he would still take home points. As he would finish second on the Power stage, three seconds behind Ott Tänak.
Repco Rally New Zealand
Kalle Rovanperä would end his win drought in New Zealand. Taking his sixth win of the season. Rovanperä would win six stages including the Powerstage. Beating Toyota teammate and eight-time World Rally Champion Sebastian Ogier by 34.6 seconds to win the rally.
New Champion Same Team
Although the drivers’ championship has changed hands, it will stay under the same manufacturer. As Kalle Rovanperä will end the reign of Toyota teammate and eight time World Rally Championship champion Sebastian Ogier. Ogier is coming off back to back championship wins, winning the championship in 2020 and 2021. With the drivers championship staying under Toyota it will mark their fourth consecutive year having the drivers champion win in their car. This started back in 2019 when Ott Tänak would win the championship in a Toyota.
My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.
