Kalle Rovanperä retires from motorsport due to worsening health struggles

Two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä has announced his decision to step away from motorsport. The 25-year-old Finn cited ongoing health struggles as the reason for his withdrawal from racing. His condition has worsened this year, forcing him to halt his ambitious shift into single-seater competition.

Rovanperä first made the move from rallying after securing third place in the 2025 WRC season. His goal was clear: a career in single-seaters, with Formula 1 as the ultimate target. In early 2026, he took a podium finish in Formula Regional Oceania with Hitech, showing early promise.

However, his progress stalled when vertigo and related health issues surfaced. Doctors later diagnosed him with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a disorder affecting balance and vision through the inner ear. The condition led to his withdrawal from the 2026 Super Formula series with Toyota-backed team KCMG. Medical advice has since barred him from driving entirely, cutting short his track time and forcing a difficult decision. Despite his determination, the risks of competing with BPPV have made racing unsafe for both Rovanperä and others on track.

The diagnosis and medical restrictions have ended Rovanperä's immediate racing plans. His absence will be felt in both rallying and single-seater circles, where he had already begun making an impact. For now, his focus shifts to managing his health and assessing future possibilities.