KALLE ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Kalle Rovanpera didn’t need to win in New Zealand to become the youngest winner of the World Rally Championship, such was his points margin over Ott Tanak ahead of the WRC’s return to the Southern Hemisphere.
But for the Finn with a thing for winning, the title, believe it or not, was always secondary to chasing victory number six of the season – and his eighth in total – particularly when he moved in front after nine stages to celebrate his 22nd birthday in style.
Fourth and 7.2 seconds behind Tanak at the end of day one, Rovanpera was immense in the Saturday rain, snatching the lead two stages in and returning to Auckland for the overnight halt with a 29s advantage, having gone quickest three times during the leg.
