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Two-time World Rally champion Kalle Rovanperä will make his return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) with Toyota Gazoo Racing in 2027, following health issues that halted his ambitions to reach Formula 1 via single-seater racing.
The Finnish driver stepped away from rallying at the end of 2025 to pursue a career in circuit racing, with plans that included competing in Japan's Super Formula championship in 2026 ahead of an intended step up to Formula 2 in 2027.
However, the 26-year-old's preparations were disrupted by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – an inner-ear condition that triggers dizziness and impairs balance and vision.
The condition forced Rovanperä to cut short a Super Formula test at Suzuka in December 2025, with further illness subsequently cutting his campaign in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship short as well.
Although he later resumed Super Formula testing, Rovanperä officially withdrew from the series in March following medical evaluations, having struggled with the intense physical demands of single-seater machinery.
The Finn subsequently focused on his recovery. Once medically cleared to compete again, Toyota offered him the opportunity to test the next-generation WRC rally car.
"I'm extremely happy to have the chance to rally with Toyota again next year. This team has always felt like family to me, and in a way, it never really felt like I completely left," Rovanperä said.
"I enjoyed trying different challenges, but rallying has always been a massive part of my life, and after some time, I naturally started to miss driving," he added.
At Toyota Gazoo Racing, Rovanperä will be reunited with co-driver Jonne Halttunen alongside returning 2019 world champion Ott Tänak and Takamoto Katsuta.
Under the revised WRC regulations, the Japanese manufacturer will field two equal outfits. In the sister Toyota Racing squad, reigning world champion Elfyn Evans will partner Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari.
Toyota heads into the 2027 campaign on the back of six consecutive manufacturers' titles, while Rovanperä aims to add to the drivers' crowns he captured in 2022 and 2023.
"My main priority this year was my health. Once I was fit to drive again, the team gave me the opportunity to test the new car, and from there we began putting plans in place for next season," the Finn explained.
"The timing of the comeback is very exciting. The new cars are going to be quite different from the previous generation, which makes the challenge all the more intriguing. The most important thing will be to enjoy driving and competing, get to know the car, and see what results we can achieve together."
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