The defending world champion is leading the standings heading into this weekend’s Italian round, but will face a tall order to repeat the drought-breaking victory he scored in Portugal last month.
His position atop the standings will mean Rovanpera will be disadvantaged by road cleaning on Sardinia’s rough and dusty stages.
The 22-year-old has also openly admitted that this event is arguably the rally he has found the most difficult. Rovanpera has only finished inside the points in one of three WRC top-tier attempts, with his best result being fifth in last year’s edition.
“Portugal was a great weekend for us and it was nice to get a victory again,” said Rovanpera.
“We will try to continue like this in the next events but we know that Sardinia will be a much more difficult job.
“Of all the rallies in the calendar, I think this one has maybe been the trickiest for me, and if the weather is dry and hot like it usually is in Sardinia, it can be very difficult to be the first car on the road there. Perhaps even more so this year with the 50-kilometre stage to be driven on Friday.
“It will be a demanding weekend but, like always, we will push together with the team to get the best result that we can.”
Source: Autosport