Rovanpera leads 1-2 finish for Toyota in Rally Latvia
21st July 2024Toyota’s double world champion Kalle Rovanpera has secured his second World Rally Championship win, this season, at Rally Latvia as the Finn led from start to finish.
Feature image credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Rovanpera obtained back-to-back wins in 2024, following Rally Poland last time out, after he secured the win in Rally Latvia which enjoyed a debut on the WRC calendar.
After securing the rally lead on the opening 11km stage of the event, the two-time world champion was unbeatable and maintained his lead throughout the entire event.
Going into the 20th stage of the event, the Wolf Power Stage, Rovanpera only had to cruise to victory as he established a comfortable 40.9-second gap over his closest rival, and teammate, Sebastien Ogier.
Speaking to the WRC after his win, Rovanpera said:
“Yeah, it has been a great weekend so far, it’s quite cool having my third home rally in a way. First time here also, it’s cool to have the first win here. Latvia has been an important place for me but a big thanks goes to Jonne [Halttunen] and the team.”
Ogier was unable to challenge for the victory but the eight-time world champion still provided a 1-2 finish for Toyota, vital for their championship fight with Hyundai.
However, M-Sport Ford’s Martins Sesks – who was third going into the power stage – had a problematic time on the final stage and lost out on the podium position.
Sesks was unclear on the issue placing it as a possible differential issue.
In turn, Sesks’ problem allowed Hyundai’s Ott Tanak to move up into the final podium position.
In the end, Rally Latvia’s top three ended as; Rovanpera – first, Ogier – second and Tanak – third.
Read more WRC here:
- Rovanpera maintains Rally Latvia lead after 200th stage win
- Rovanpera takes overnight lead at Rally Latvia
- Ott Tanak looking for redemption in Latvia after Rally Poland
- Sebastien Ogier to return in WRC Rally Latvia after accident
- Spectator safety issues lead to two cancelled stages in Rally Poland
- Tanak gives update after hitting a deer in Rally Poland
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
