The Super Formula venture fell through shortly before the season opener. Now Kalle Rovanperä talks about the disappointment and the uncertain future.
Kalle Rovanperä has commented for the first time on the decision to withdraw from the Japanese Super Formula series.
In an interview with MTV Uutiset, the two-time rally world champion talks about the disappointment after the venture was forced to be canceled, just weeks before the planned season start.
Rovanperä announced in March that the debut season in Japan would not happen. Only two weeks remained until the season opener.
Behind the decision were health problems that, according to the Finn, had been present for a longer period and had also worsened during the year.
He had started testing in Suzuka in December, but was forced to stop after the first session. It was later confirmed that he had suffered from benign positional vertigo, which also led to a driving ban during the first test week.
When he now meets the media for the first time after the announcement, it is clear that the decision has been difficult.
– It has been very difficult and of course a huge disappointment at the time, Rovanperä tells MTV Uutiset.
At the same time, he emphasizes that there was no other choice.
– It has been a major venture and many different parties have worked hard over the past six months and during the winter. But at this point, I had to prioritize, and health is always the most important thing.
Unusual situation after the withdrawal
Recent times have therefore looked different for the 25-year-old Finn.
Rovanperä says that the weeks after the announcement have mainly been about recovery and taking it easy after an intense winter. At the same time, he admits that it feels unusual to suddenly be without a packed racing schedule.
For a driver who has long lived by the calendar and the next trip, it has been a strange adjustment.
No decision about the future
What the next step will be remains to be seen.
According to Rovanperä, no new plan is in place at the moment. Instead, considerations are ongoing about what comes next after the canceled venture in Japan.
It remains to be seen when the next racing program takes shape for the former world champion.
