GT Racing News: Kalle Rovanpera Swaps WRC Seat for Red Bull F1 Test
In a thrilling turn of events, reigning two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera, the 15-time WRC rally winner, recently traded his trusty rally car for a test session in a Red Bull Formula 1 machine at the iconic Red Bull Ring.
To prepare for this prestigious outing, the Finnish phenom first visited the Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, where he underwent a seat fitting and a simulator session, honing his skills on various formula car models. “I was able to get a hang of the track and stuff,” Rovanpera revealed to Autosport.
Come test day, Rovanpera first tackled Formula 4 and Formula Renault 3.5 machinery, before stepping up to an older-generation Red Bull F1 car, completing an impressive 40-50 laps around the Austrian Grand Prix venue. “The day went well, and I was left with very good feelings,” the 24-year-old shared.
Rovanpera was struck by the stark differences between his WRC rally car and the F1 machine. > “The biggest differences are that the F1 car has an incredible amount of grip and downforce, allowing you to drive much faster in corners. It’s also physically quite different, with a lot more lateral G-force and the car stopping and turning more,” he explained.
This venture into circuit racing represents an expansion of Rovanpera’s motorsport horizons, which have included a partial WRC campaign for Toyota this year and a successful stint in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux series, where he has secured three race wins. The talented driver has also revealed ambitions to one day compete at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
Rovanpera’s F1 test follows in the footsteps of other WRC legends, such as Colin McRae and Sebastien Loeb, who have previously sampled the thrills of Formula 1 machinery. This latest chapter in the young Finn’s career is sure to have GT enthusiasts and motorsport fans alike eagerly anticipating his future exploits on and off the rally stages.
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