Rovanperä Explores the Possibility of Participating in GT Racing in 2024

The two-time WRC champion has announced his intention to explore GT racing next year. This decision comes after his determination to participate in a partial campaign in the WRC in 2024, a move aimed at recharging energy before his full-time competition return in 2025.

At 23 years old, Rovanperä is an avid follower of various disciplines in motorsport. His passion is not limited to rallying; he has also shown great interest in drift, participating in events in both Europe and Japan this year. This diversity of interests indicates a search for new challenges and experiences within the world of motorsport.

In a recent press conference at the FIA Awards Gala in Baku, Rovanperä shared his plans to test a GT car next year. “We are now planning at least to get some tests in GT cars and if everything goes well, why not also a race?”, said Rovanperä. His previous experience driving a McLaren Senna hypercar on a circuit this year, alongside F1 stars Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard, has surely given him a taste of what awaits on the tracks.

Rovanperä is not the only rally driver who has recently ventured into circuit racing. His teammate and eight-time world champion, Sébastien Ogier, participated in a partial campaign racing an LMP2 prototype in the World Endurance Championship last season. Additionally, the remembered 1995 WRC champion, Colin McRae, also competed in GT cars, participating in the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Besides Rovanperä, his co-driver Jonne Halttunen is also exploring new avenues. Halttunen revealed his plans for the coming year, showing interest in moving to a media commentator role. “I am quite happy to have a partial season because it is quite demanding to do the full season in WRC,” said Halttunen. “For us, it is not just the race, for me each event lasts two weeks, so I think I will focus on myself and maybe do some commentating”.