Red Bull Star Kalle Rovanperä Confirms Exit as 2026 Career Switch Announced
In a surprising career twist, Red Bull–backed rally sensation and two-time World Rally Champion (WRC) Kalle Rovanperä has officially announced his departure from the rallying world, confirming plans to transition into single-seater racing in 2026. The Finnish motorsport prodigy, who has long been one of Red Bull’s most successful athletes, will embark on a new challenge that could ultimately see him make a move toward Formula 1 in the near future.
At just 25 years old, Rovanperä has already established himself as a dominant force in rallying. He made history in 2022 when he became the youngest-ever World Rally Champion at the age of 22, securing his title after a remarkable season that saw him win five of the first seven rallies. His triumph at Rally New Zealand sealed his championship, cementing his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in motorsport. He went on to defend his title successfully in 2023, claiming back-to-back WRC crowns and solidifying his legacy within the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC team.
Despite his meteoric rise and sustained success in rallying, Rovanperä has decided to step away from the discipline to pursue a completely different path. In a heartfelt message shared on his social media and the official Toyota Gazoo Racing platforms, the Finnish driver reflected on his decision and outlined his ambitions for the next stage of his career.
> “I’m proud of achieving my championship titles at such a young age,” Rovanperä wrote. “However, winning a record number of titles has never been my goal. Now it’s time to chase my new dreams at the highest level of circuit racing. I understand that this move is surprising, bold, and very ambitious—some might even think it doesn’t make sense—but I’ve been craving this challenge for a while now.”
Rovanperä confirmed that he will remain within the Toyota racing family, with plans to compete in Japan’s highly competitive Super Formula Championship starting in 2026. The series, known for its speed and technical similarity to Formula 1 machinery, has served as a crucial proving ground for future F1 drivers such as Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson, both of whom raced in the championship in their early twenties.
While Rovanperä’s decision to make this switch later in his career than most F1 hopefuls might raise eyebrows, he remains determined to make the transition a success. Looking ahead, he revealed that his long-term plan includes preparing for a potential step up to Formula 2 in 2027—an unmistakable indication that he has his sights set on Formula 1.
> “I’m excited to say that I will be racing in Super Formula in 2026, and, in addition, preparing myself to race in Formula 2 in 2027,” he continued. “Yes, we are heading into the unknown, but Toyota Gazoo Racing and I have great confidence in our plan. I’m super motivated to get started and work really hard to achieve our goals and rewrite history.”
Rovanperä’s bold career shift marks one of the most fascinating transitions in modern motorsport. As one of the youngest double world champions in rally history, his move from gravel and snow to the tarmac of single-seater circuits showcases both ambition and courage. Whether this path will ultimately lead him to Formula 1 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Kalle Rovanperä is not done making motorsport history just yet.
