The meeting between Kalle Rovanperä and Valtteri Bottas after the Rovanperä Rally test drive was a long-awaited moment for motorsport fans. Two-time World Rally Champion Rovanperä and F1 veteran Bottas met in Central Finland as Rovanperä prepared for the 2025 Finnish World Rally Championship, Secto Rally Finland, which will be held in Jyväskylä at the end of July. The test drive was part of Rovanperä’s full season preparation with the Toyota rally team, while Bottas, who has previously participated in rally races, was there to watch and possibly seek inspiration for his own motorsport career. After the meeting, the duo surprised everyone by promising something special for the upcoming Rally Finland, which has aroused huge interest among fans.
Rovanperä, who returned to the full WRC in 2025 after spending the previous year on a partial schedule, has once again proven himself to be one of the brightest stars in rallying. He finished fourth in the Monte Carlo Rally in January, despite a challenging start, and he dominated the race in the Canary Islands Rally with 12 consecutive fastest times. Rovanperä’s goal is clear: he wants to finally win his home event in Finland, which he has eluded to despite several strong performances. He led by far in last year’s Rally Finland, but a spin on the penultimate stage took the win away from him. This year, Rovanperä is even more determined, and test drives showed that the Toyota Yaris WRC is once again in top condition for gravel roads.
Bottas, on the other hand, is known for his passion for rallying, although his main focus has been Formula 1. He participated in the Tunturi Rally in 2020, driving a Citroën DS3 WRC, but was overshadowed by Rovanperä’s incredible pace. At the time, the young Rovanperä dominated the competition with his WRC car, and Bottas ultimately finished fifth, although he showed promising moves. The meeting with Rovanperä has sparked renewed speculation about whether Bottas could return to rallying, especially since his F1 career has been in doubt recently. Amid the Aston Martin rumors, Bottas has expressed his desire to continue in motorsport, and rallying could be one option.
In a post-test discussion, Rovanperä and Bottas shared their experiences in different sports. Rovanperä, who has also tried drifting and endurance racing, such as the Dubai 24 Hours in January 2025, appreciated Bottas’ insights into the mental side of racing. Bottas, in turn, praised Rovanperä’s ability to adapt to different conditions, such as the fast gravel roads of the Finnish Rally Championship. The chemistry between the two was clearly genuine, and their shared history – for example, meeting at the Finnish Air Force’s 100th anniversary show in 2018 – brought a relaxed tone to the conversation.
The surprise came when the duo hinted at a joint plan for the Finnish Rally Championship. While no specific details were revealed, Rovanperä cryptically stated: “We have something fun in mind for Jyväskylä.” Bottas added with a chuckle that “the fans will have something they don’t see every year.” Speculations range from Bottas possibly visiting as a VIP guest at the rally to even driving a demonstration alongside Rovanperä. Others speculate that the duo could organize a fan event that would unite F1 and rally fans. The Finnish Rally Championship is known for its unique atmosphere, and such a stunt would fit perfectly into the festive atmosphere of the event.
The Finnish Rally Championship is one of the most anticipated events of the season, and in 2025 it will start on July 30th in Lutakko, Jyväskylä with a ceremonial start that is open to everyone. Rovanperä and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen are expected to be the big favourites for the race, but the competition will be fierce. Toyota team-mates Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, as well as Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, will challenge the Finn hard. However, Rovanperä’s strength on gravel, especially on Finland’s fast roads, gives him an advantage.
Bottas’ participation, even if only on a symbolic level, would further enhance the appeal of the event. His previous appearances in rallying have shown that he has potential in the sport, and fans are hoping to see him back on gravel roads. In any case, the promise of Rovanperä and Bottas has ignited a spark that will keep motorsport fans excited until the end of July. Whatever the duo plans, it will surely be a memorable moment in the history of the Finnish World Rally Championship