Kalle Rovanperä, the two-time world rally champion, had a difficult testing day on Wednesday at the Suzuka circuit while trying out his Super Formula car. He was only able to complete eight laps in the morning session due to technical issues that necessitated a lengthy repair break. According to motorsport journalist Jamie Klein, the lack of track time prevented Rovanperä from recording fast laps, resulting in a time deficit of nearly 16 seconds compared to the fastest lap set by Igor Fraga.

The conditions during the tests were challenging, marked by rain which contributed to multiple incidents, including Rovanperä's own spin that left him stuck in the sand. The numerous red flags throughout the session were a testament to the difficult driving conditions and the impact of weather on the day's testing. By the end of the day, Rovanperä managed only to secure the 19th fastest time among 22 drivers, falling short of the time set by the fastest driver, Ren Sato, by 3.460 seconds.

Overall, the day did not go as Rovanperä had planned, reflecting the unpredictable nature of motorsport testing where technical difficulties and adverse weather can severely impact performance and results. This testing session is crucial for Rovanperä as he prepares for the upcoming season, and overcoming these early challenges will be vital for his competitiveness in the Super Formula series.