Rovanpera: Driving Style Change required for new WRC Slick tires

Kalle Rovanpera feels that they may need to adjust their driving style to get out of the new Hankook Control Tires of the World Rally Championship.

The two -time world champion has so far struggled to find a sweet space, especially while driving on the Hankuk Slick tire during the WRC season opener in Monte Carlo.

Despite the conflicts, Finn, which is making a full -time comeback in the championship this season, succeeded in claiming the victory on phase four in variable circumstances to end in the fourth on Friday, Toyota team partner and 38.5s sebastian ogier behind the rally leader.

“I think it is very clear overall that perhaps the driving style that does not usually work with me slices (tires),” Rovanpera told Autosport.

“We did not do a clean or clear drought in our test or at the Davolui rally last year. It is quite clear how I naturally drive it does not work so well.

“We did some small settings that were a little better in the afternoon but it is not sufficiently enough.

“The speed looks good on the motion ice and herbs to be honest, but then it looks more difficult as we go on the slic tire. This is where we need to find speed. ,

Rowanpera has previously fought for pace in Monte Carlo when WRC introduced a rally 1 car concept in 2022. However, the Rowanpera was able to adjust quickly and to dominate the championship earlier to finish fourth in that event.

Asked if it was possible to find answers at the end of this week or if more time is required, he said: “Of course we have done it earlier (in Monte Carlo in 2022) but it was a different issue, Then it was more.

“I don’t think the car is very wrong here, it looks really good, but it is the issue of how it should be quick with tires.

“One of the top four of this rally will be fine, but I should be able to be able to be a little better speed.”

On one side of the Rowanpera’s Slick Tire Kondram, it proved to be a strong day for Toyota as the Japanese market ended with three of its five cars inside the top four on Friday.

The Ogier led the Toyota charge, leading the rally lead from the team-met Evans, when a half-spin stage was later faced.

The St.-Legar-Legar-Mellezes/La Batty-Newway Test marked a emotional moment for the nine-time Monte Carlo winner as this was the first time he won the stage from where he grew up.

“Experience is always helping at this moment, but again a lot of drivers have experience here,” Ogier told Autosport.

“Of course I have more than that, but I am not sure this is the parameter that made a difference today.

“It was not an ideal day when I was struggling in the morning to find border and a good rhythm, but fortunately I managed to find it in the last two.

“It was good to win on the stage of my house. There is no time to rest because there are very small gaps, so we have to go in the same way. ,