Rovanperä leads WRC debut in Latvia

Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota driver, led the first day of the Tet Rally of Latvia, opening a 15.7-second gap over local driver Mārtiņš Sesks. This event marks the debut of the World Rally Championship in Latvia, symbolizing a return for Rovanperä, who began his rally career on the roads of this country at the age of 12.

On Thursday, Rovanperä won the opening stage at the Biķernieki circuit in Rīga, which was attended by a large crowd. On Friday, he maintained his lead by winning four of the seven fast gravel stages in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.

Seks impresses in his second WRC appearance

Mārtiņš Sesks, driving his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1, achieved his first WRC stage win in Tukums. This 24-year-old driver, along with co-driver Renārs Francis, left behind the eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier. Sesks repeated his feat in the next test, consolidating his position and finishing the day in second place, 5.9 seconds ahead of Ogier.

Ogier and Katsuta battle for third place

Sébastien Ogier, Rovanperä's teammate at Toyota, finished the day in third place, 21.6 seconds behind the leader. Takamoto Katsuta, also from Toyota, placed fourth after a close battle with Ott Tänak, overtaking him in the final stage of the day.

Struggles for Tänak and Hyundai drivers

Ott Tänak had a tough day, dropping from fourth to sixth place due to confidence and brake issues. Meanwhile, Elfyn Evans, second in the overall championship standings, finished seventh, and championship leader Thierry Neuville ended up ninth after facing difficult road conditions. Esapekka Lappi, also from Hyundai, suffered tire damage and finished in tenth place.

The action continues on Saturday with eight stages totaling 104 competitive kilometers.