What does Toyota expect from Rovanpera upon his full-time return to the WRC?

Toyota expects Kalle Rovanpera to challenge for the World Rally Championship title on his full return this yr, because the Finn stepped up his preparations for Monte Carlo this week.

The two-time world champion will compete in the complete 14-round season this yr after a partial campaign last yr that produced 4 wins and helped Toyota claim its fourth consecutive manufacturers' crown.

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Earlier this week, Rovanpera was back behind the wheel of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 because the reigning world champion's squad began testing ahead of the Monte Carlo Rally (January 23-26). During the run, Rovanpera traversed snow and ice-covered French roads, racking up beneficial miles while driving a brand new 2025 non-hybrid automotive equipped with Hankook tires.

Team-mates Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and latest signing Sami Pajari may also get automotive time.

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala fully expects Rovanpera to be fully committed and fight for a 3rd world title this yr. He also believes Rovanpera's track racing exploits last yr, which can proceed along with his endurance racing debut at this weekend's Dubai 24 Hours, could enhance his tarmac rally skills.

“I expect him to fight for the title, he will definitely be fast,” Latvala said.

“When he comes, he desires to win, but we'll see. We also know that Kalle has been experimenting in 2024 and I'm unsure if he might be doing a few years of rallying, but when he does he might be fully committed.

“By doing what he did [in 2024] he can maintain momentum, as we saw with Sebastien Loeb when he did various things [in motorsport] after which he got here to Monte Carlo in 2022 and won. Maybe there's something he can bring to scrub asphalt riding.”

In his pre-test speech, Rovanpera expects his full-time return to the WRC will keep him “working hard” but is concentrated on stealing the title from Hyundai's Thierry Neuville.

“Of course I will try to work hard and be well motivated from 2024 to 2025.” – Rovanpera told Autosport.

“I only have one goal: to try to win again and fight for the championship, so of course I have to come back working hard.”

After the test, he added: “Monte is at all times a really difficult start and this yr we have now latest tires for everybody and I believe that might be a extremely essential thing because everyone has to learn latest tires in all conditions.

“But obviously after last yr, Thierry needs to be the most effective guys to beat and now everyone seems to be after him. We'll chase him down and see how all the pieces seems.