Finnish rally champion Kalle Rovanperä participated in two-day winter testing for the Super Formula series at the renowned Suzuka circuit in Japan. His performance was noticeably below par, as he consistently ranked at the bottom of the results list, lagging behind the fastest drivers by 3.5 seconds in the first session and 2.4 seconds in the second. This subpar performance was a significant concern for Rovanperä, who is acclimatizing to racing in a completely different format from rally driving.

In a conversation with a Japanese motorsport outlet, Rovanperä attributed his struggles to a mindset challenging him, particularly in the numerous fast corners of the track. He acknowledged the stark contrast between rally racing and circuit racing, noting that the transition has posed difficulties. Rovanperä also reflected on the car's characteristics, including its grip and speed, which are markedly different from the cars he is used to in rallying.

Despite the challenges, Rovanperä mentioned that the car's stability at high speeds was reassuring, but he needs to adapt and build trust with the new vehicle dynamics. As the season approaches, his focus will be on overcoming these initial hurdles to enhance his performance in the Super Formula series.