Record-breaking RovanperƤ Powers to Secto Rally Finland Glory
Kalle RovanperƤ and co-driver Jonne Halttunen delivered a sensational home performance at Stop 09 of the FIA World Rally Championship 2025 in JyvƤskylƤ, Finland. The Finnish duo ended the countryās eight-year drought at Secto Rally Finland, powering to victory in record-breaking fashion with an average speed of 129.95kphāthe fastest in WRC history.
RovanperƤ seized control from the first stage on Friday and never looked back, ultimately claiming the win by a dominant 39.2 seconds. It marked a landmark achievement not only for the 24-year-old Finn, who now sits second in the championship standings, but also for Toyota Gazoo Racing, which accomplished an incredible 1-2-3-4-5 finishāa feat only previously matched by Lancia at Rally de Portugal in 1990.
āItās quite an amazing feeling. Weāve been close here a few times. I really needed this one, and we pushed hard for it. Huge thanks to the team for giving us such a great car.ā
said RovanperƤ
Final Rally Finland 2025 Top 5 Results:
- K. RovanperƤ / J. Halttunen (FIN) ā Toyota GR Yaris ā 2h 21m 51.4s
- T. Katsuta / A. Johnston (JPN) ā Toyota GR Yaris ā +39.2s
- S. Ogier / V. Landais (FRA) ā Toyota GR Yaris ā +45.1s
- E. Evans / S. Martin (GBR) ā Toyota GR Yaris ā +48.1s
- S. Pajari / M. Salminen (FIN) ā Toyota GR Yaris ā +1m 18.8s
A tyre deflation drama on Saturday sidelined Hyundaiās Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux, clearing the way for Toyotaās domination. Despite an intense final-day push, SĆ©bastien Ogier edged out Elfyn Evans for third, while Takamoto Katsuta celebrated his best finish since Rally Sweden with second.
Hyundaiās Neuville eventually finished sixth, and M-Sport Ford rounded out the top ten, with Josh McErlean leading teammates MÄrtinÅ” Sesks and GrĆ©goire Munster.
Driversā Championship Standings After Round 9 of 14:
- Elfyn Evans ā 176 pts
- Kalle RovanperƤ ā 173 pts
- SĆ©bastien Ogier ā 163 pts
The WRC now heads to South America for the inaugural Rally del Paraguay, based in Encarnación, from 28 ā 31 August 2025.
