The immediate stop
The last few days have been quite positive for Toyota, on and off the track: after the victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Japanese manufacturer has officially announced the return of Kalle Rovanperä to Super Formula, recovered from the health problems that had affected him at the beginning of his experience with single-seaters. After deciding to leave the WRC, the two-time Finnish world champion (who had already tested a Red Bull Formula 1 car) moved to the top Japanese series as an official driver, only to have to withdraw already in March before the start of the championship.
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The 25-year-old had to give up the 2026 season due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which compromised balance and vision through the inner ear. Once the health problem was diagnosed, Rovanperä began his recovery at the Finnish Institute for High Performance Sports (KHU), with Toyota confirming the start of physical training aimed at returning to the track in 2027.
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The confirmation
Toyota has therefore officially announced the return of the former WRC driver through this statement: “The two-time FIA World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä is ready to continue pursuing his competitive dreams in collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing after making significant progress in his recovery in recent weeks. Since his participation in Super Formula this season was suspended for health reasons, Kalle has taken time to recover and focus on his health. With recovery progressing well, he has already resumed physical training and can now look forward to a gradual return to driving. To support his recovery, Kalle has worked closely with the KHU, the Finnish Institute for High Performance Sports based in Jyväskylä. Known especially for supporting athletes of the Finnish Olympic and national teams, the KHU has provided scientific expertise to optimize Rovanperä’s recovery and training and has now given him the green light to return to the track. Together, Kalle and TGR (Toyota Gazoo Racing) are now planning the next phases of his competitive program with the goal of returning to competition in 2027 and will release further statements in due course.”
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