Kalle Rovanpera's Super Formula test cut short by vertigo diagnosis
Kalle Rovanpera's debut Super Formula test was cut short after he was diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a balance disorder. The two-time WRC champion, who is switching to single-seaters with aims on Formula 1, was medically barred from driving at Suzuka and will take a short recovery break.
Two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera's first Super Formula test was abruptly halted after he was diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a disorder affecting balance and vision. The Finn, who is transitioning to single-seaters with a planned move to Formula 2 in 2027, was medically barred from continuing after experiencing symptoms during the morning session at Suzuka.
Why it matters:
Rovanpera's high-profile switch from rallying to circuit racing is one of the most ambitious driver career changes in recent motorsport history. An unexpected medical setback at this crucial testing phase highlights the physical and mental challenges of adapting to a completely different discipline, potentially impacting his carefully structured preparation timeline for earning a Formula 1 Super Licence.
The details:
- Rovanpera was conducting his first test with Team KCMG at Suzuka, scheduled for three days, as part of his preparation for a full 2026 Super Formula campaign.
- During the morning session, he began suffering from vertigo. By the lunch break, he was diagnosed with BPPV, an inner ear disorder common in older demographics but triggered here by unknown causes.
- The condition causes brief but intense episodes of spinning sensations and disorientation with head movement, making it unsafe to drive a high-performance race car.
- Rovanpera expressed significant disappointment on social media, noting the team had only completed an aero test before the stoppage and calling it "bad luck" for a first outing.
- Medical advice mandates a recovery period of a few days to a week. It is reported this is his first-ever experience with BPPV, and his longer-term racing preparations are not expected to be compromised.
The big picture:
Rovanpera's career pivot is a multi-year project backed by Toyota Gazoo Racing and managed by Hitech. Super Formula is a strategic choice, as its champion earns 30 Super Licence points—nearly the entire 40-point requirement for F1—placing it on par with Formula 3 and Formula E in the FIA's weighting system. His performance in this fiercely competitive series will be a key indicator of his potential to reach Formula 1.
What's next:
The immediate focus is on Rovanpera's full recovery from BPPV. His single-seater program is set to formally begin in January 2026 in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand, driving for Hitech Grand Prix. This series will be his first point-scoring opportunity towards the F1 Super Licence, following a path recently taken by new Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad. Rovanpera acknowledges the coming years as his "biggest challenge," stepping far from his rallying comfort zone to push his limits in circuit racing.