Winless in six top flight💙 starts for the Japanese marque, the 22-year-old obliterated the Rally1 field with a mesmerising display of speed and car control on the second and third days of the gravel counter. 

A perfect weekend was cap♔ped off by the Finn when he netted five🅘 bonus points on the end-of-rally Power Stage by completing the second pass over ‘Fafe’ in the quickest time. 

Rovanpera himself admitted the wait to return to the podium’s top step had be✃en a long one, and spoke of his delight at putting himself firmly back in the race to be crowned World champion for a second consecutive time.  

His boss was equally pleased, especially as the second points scoring GR Yaris Rally1 of Takamoto Katsuta retired early on Friday with a failed altꦑernator, while Elfyn Evans crashed out heavily on stage seven as the Welshman held si𒐪xth position. 

“We are feeling really happy with this victory here in Portugal,” said Jari-Matti Latvala.꧟ “On Friday, things were l🎃ooking quite difficult for us because we lost two cars and only had one left in the fight.  

“But K🌃alle was driving superbly and in the end, it was a dominant victory with a great Power Stage win as well. Even if he hasn’t been winning recently, Kalle’s performances have still been at a high level. 

“There were just some little things missing from the puzzle which he has found here, with confi⭕dence in the car and the motivation and hunger to win. When these things came together this weekend, he was unstoppable.” 

Latvala’s co🐭mments were echoed by the Chairman of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s World Rally Team, Akio Toyoda. “I actually had a bit of concern for Kalle as it seemed not easy for him to get the best result this year,” he said. 

“But on the other hand, I felt there was nothing to worry about because I could see he was always enjoying 🌠driving the same as last y𝔍ear. I was looking at his driving this season with these thoughts.” 

Rovanpera’s success was the fourth for the Japanese te🥀am🍸 this season and helps it cement its position as leaders in the manufacturers’ standings.