Kalle Rovanperä, two-time and reigning WRC world champion, wants to make his debut in circuit racing this year. The 23-year-old Finn decided to do this at the Flemish RedAnt Racing, at the wheel of a Porsche.
It has been known for some time that Rovanperä would scale back its rally activities in 2024. He mainly wanted to have fun this year, so it was said. By racing on a circuit, for example. It was much less obvious that he would choose the RedAnt Racing of East Flemish Bert Redant and the sprint races in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux.
“At RedAnt they have the habit of guiding young drivers in their first steps in circuit racing,” says the still very young Rovanperä. “We clicked immediately from the first conversations. I am convinced that the people of RedAnt and the Porsche are the ideal combination for me.”
In the clouds
Team owner Bert Redant is of course over the moon. “Who wouldn't want to work with a double world champion?” he laughs. “Together with Marc Goossens, we have thoroughly restructured the team over the past two years and this is excellent proof of our ambitions for the near future.”
Team manager Marc Goossens, once the country's best F1 hope and now a successful mentor of young racing talents, nods in agreement. “After discussions with his rally engineers and himself, I was completely convinced,” said the Gelen resident. “Kalle is not only a tremendous talent, but he also has an extremely professional work ethic. That makes me very happy and motivates me enormously to make this season a success.”
Rovanperä will complete four of the six meetings in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. The season starts in early May in Francorchamps. (give)