WRC champ gets first taste of ‘physically tough’ F2
Kalle Rovanpera tested an F2 car with Hitech GP at Jerez.

Rovanpera, 25, joined Hitech GP at Spain’s Jerez for his first test with the FIA Formula 2 Championship team.

Rovanpera announced in recent weeks plans to make a shock switch to single-seater racing, and will join Japan’s Super Formula.

This week, the Finnish racing all-rounder got his hands on a Dallara F2 2024 formerly used in Formula 2 – albeit, out of race specification with older Pirelli tyres.

Rovanpera is reportedly targeting Formula 2 in 2027 before a potential Formula 1 graduation in 2028.

“Happy with the test days. Driving is physically quite tough as I knew,” said Rovanpera.

“There are a lot of G-forces which are hard to replicate and will take some time to get used to, so happy I managed to get this seat time and can’t wait for more.”

It’s a major milestone for Rovanpera ahead of his transition. However, it’s not the first time he has tasted open-wheel machinery.

Last year, he drove a Formula 1 car at the Red Bull Ring – getting behind the wheel of a Red Bull RB8. He also drove a Formula 4 car and Formula Renault 3.5 machine.

First F2 test done!🚀

Happy with the test days. Driving is physically quite tough as I knew. There are lot of G-forces which are hard to replicate and will take some time to get used to, so happy I managed to get this seat time and can’t wait for more!#KR69 #ToyotaGAZOORacing pic.twitter.com/5M56YOuF9W

— Kalle Rovanperä (@KalleRovanpera) October 28, 2025