Kalle Rovanpera delivered a masterclass performance on Friday at the WRC 2025 Rally Islas Canarias, leading a historic Toyota sweep that left the competition in the dust and set the tone for a potentially season-defining weekend.
The opening day of the landmark event-marking the Canary Islands’ debut on the World Rally Championship calendar-unfolded over six demanding tarmac stages carved into Gran Canaria’s volcanic landscape.
Kalle Rovanpera’s relentless pace and Toyota’s technical superiority were the defining narratives at Rally Islas Canarias as the world’s best rally drivers grappled with new roads, tricky tire choices and the pressure of a passionate Spanish crowd.
Friday’s itinerary featured two loops of three distinct stages: Valsequillo–Telde, Valleseco–Artenara, and La Aldea–Mogán. Each stage presented unique challenges, from the fast, flowing curves and narrow mountain climbs of Valsequillo to the technical descents and grip changes of La Aldea.
The day began with anticipation and uncertainty, as teams faced the WRC’s first pure asphalt event of the season and the competitive debut of the hard compound Hankook tire. These factors would prove pivotal particularly for those unable to quickly adapt their setups and strategies.
From the outset, Rovanpera was in a league of his own. He won all three stages of the opening loop building a 17.8-second lead by midday. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with his tire pressures and car balance, the Finn’s raw speed was unmatched.
“A bit surprised with the time to be honest,” Rovanpera admitted after the first stage, noting that the car didn’t feel optimal and hinting at further improvements to come.
Rovanpera’s Toyota teammate Sebastien Ogier was the closest challenger but even he found himself conceding ground.
Ogier acknowledged Rovanpera’s superiority, stating: “We improved the car a little bit, the balance felt better, but Kalle has been impressive today. For me, I think the fight is only with Elfyn [Evans] now”.
This admission was telling as Ogier is rarely one to accept defeat so early in a rally.
WRC 2025 title leader Elfyn Evans struggled to find confidence in his GR Yaris Rally1 particularly during the afternoon loop when understeer became a persistent issue. Evans’ frustration was evident as he slipped further behind unable to match the pace set by his teammates.
The technical nature of Rally Islas Canarias stages played into Toyota’s hands. Valsequillo–Telde – the rally’s longest stage at over 26 kilometers – demanded precision and bravery with its relentless uphill sections and narrow, broken tarmac through the town of Las Vegas.
Rovanpera’s commitment through these sections was evident as he consistently set the benchmark times.
Valleseco–Artenara with its near-perfect surface and fast descents tested drivers’ ability to manage tire temperatures and maintain smooth lines. Here, too, Rovanpera excelled, extending his advantage with each kilometer.
La Aldea–Mogán, a stage not used in this direction since 2003, proved especially challenging. The uphill start followed by high-speed stretches and technical descents caught out several drivers.
MORE WRC:
Elfyn Evans claims Safari Rally Kenya 2025 win, extends WRC lead
Safari Rally Kenya 2025: Kalle Rovanpera fastest in shakedown
Kalle Rovanpera himself admitted to struggling with understeer and balance issues on this stage yet he still emerged fastest, a testament to both his adaptability and the strength of the Toyota package.
The Finn’s ability to identify issues and respond with immediate setup changes was a recurring theme throughout the day.
As the afternoon loop unfolded, Toyota’s dominance became absolute. Rovanpera continued his clean sweep winning all six Friday stages and ending the day with a commanding 26.8-second lead over Ogier.
Evans held third, 36.4 seconds adrift while young Finn Sami Pajari and Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta completed a remarkable Toyota 1-2-3-4-5.
For Hyundai Motorsport Friday was a day of frustration and introspection. Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak, and Adrien Fourmaux all struggled to match Toyota’s pace finishing sixth, seventh and eighth respectively by the end of the day.
Neuville, usually a force on tarmac, found himself over a minute off the lead, unable to extract the necessary performance from his i20 N Rally1. Tanak and Fourmaux faced similar challenges with both drivers battling setup gremlins and a lack of confidence on the abrasive volcanic roads.
M-Sport Ford’s Grégoire Munster endured a difficult day finishing ninth overall and over two minutes behind the leader. The Ford Puma Rally1 lacked the outright pace to challenge the front-runners and Munster’s focus shifted to gathering data and avoiding costly mistakes on the unfamiliar stages.
In WRC2, Citroën’s Yohan Rossel led the category, rounding out the top ten overall and demonstrating the depth of talent in the support classes.
