The two-time world champion has penned a new multi-year deal with Toyota but is set to drive only half the WRC rallies next year alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen.
The announcement arrives off the back of successfully defending his world title this year after becoming the youngest-ever world champion in 2022.
The 23-year-old says the reason for the decision is to allow him to “recharge his batteries” ahead of a return to full-time WRC competition in 2025. Rovanpera started driving rally cars when he was eight and has rapidly risen up the lower categories before joining the WRC’s top flight with Toyota in 2020.
However, the demands of the last few years have prompted the call to scale back his commitments for a season.
“First of all, I’m really happy to sign again for Toyota Gazoo Racing. The past few years have been really good and we have been really successful so I’m really happy to continue with the team,” said Rovanpera.
“Next year is going to be a bit different for me and Jonne as we will see a few changes. It is going to be interesting as we will be driving a half-season with Jonne and there are a few reasons behind that.
“But the biggest reason of course is that I have been driving in rallies for a really long time and I just felt that now was a good moment to have a bit of a break to recharge the batteries and have a bit of time of let’s say to have more energy and push for the next coming years.
Source: Autosport