Kalle Rovanperä’s surprise appearance at the Imola Formula 1 race in May 2025 has sparked heated rumours of a potential move to Red Bull’s F1 team. The two-time world rally champion, who is part of the Red Bull sports family, was seen watching Max Verstappen’s triumphant performance at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. This has sparked speculation as to whether the 24-year-old Finn could follow in Verstappen’s footsteps and make the leap from rallying to F1, especially as Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has been uncertain due to the challenges of the 2025 season. Rovanperä’s previous F1 test and his diverse motorsport background have only added fuel to these rumours, which have intrigued Finnish fans.

Rovanperä, who won the 2022 and 2023 World Rally Championship with Toyota, has already shown his ability to adapt to different racing formats. In 2024, he tested Red Bull’s RB8 F1 car at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, coached by former F1 driver Patrick Friesacher. The test included driving in F4, F3.5 and F1 cars, and Rovanperä clocked a promising time of 1:15.680 on his final lap ( Ilta-Sanomat , 21.11.2024). Although he described the experience as “different from rallying” and “cool”, his manager Timo Jouhki stressed that fighting for the top spot in F1 would require years of dedication ( Ilta-Sanomat , 21.11.2024). Yet Rovanperä’s presence at Imola, Red Bull’s 400th race, immediately sparked speculation. X-user @F1InsiderFIN tweeted: “Rovanperä in Imola to support Verstappen? Red Bull has something big in mind?”

Verstappen’s situation has been at the centre of a whirlwind of rumours. The four-time world champion won at Imola in 2025, but Red Bull’s season has been challenging due to McLaren’s dominance. Verstappen was 0.442 seconds behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastr in practice, and the team’s updates have not been entirely convincing ( Sportti.com , 17.5.202 отказ). Verstappen has hinted at a possible departure, particularly to Mercedes, if Red Bull is unable to provide a championship-level car in 2026, when new engine regulations come into force ( The Telegraph , 20.3.2025). His contract includes a clause that allows him to leave if the car is not competitive ( Ilta-Sanomat , 14.4.2025). Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko has admitted to “great concern” about losing Verstappen ( Ilta-Sanomat , 14.4.2025). In these circumstances, Rovanperä’s name has emerged as a potential backup plan.

Rovanperä’s versatility makes him an interesting candidate. In addition to rallying, he competed in the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup, showing his ability to adapt to track driving ( MTV Uutiset , 6.11.2024). Red Bull junior Liam Lawson is already Verstappen’s teammate in 2025, but a high-profile name like Rovanperä could bring new energy and Finnish fans to the team, especially since Valtteri Bottas was left without a race seat in 2025 ( Iltalehti , 20.12.2024). However, Red Bull’s move to its own powertrains in 2026 increases risks, which could affect the team’s appeal to drivers ( Wikipedia , 10.2.2022). X-user @RallyFan99, however, is skeptical: “Rovanperä in F1? Rally and F1 are too different. Lawson is a more logical choice.”

The Imola race itself was a turning point for Red Bull. Verstappen capitalized on Piastr’s mistake at the opening corner and dominated the race masterfully, taking the 65th victory of his career ( Aamulehti , 18.5.2025). Rovanperä’s presence in the pits, where he had previously met Verstappen at Abu Dhabi 2023 ( Iltalehti , 26.11.2023), confirmed his connection to Red Bull’s F1 project. However, like former rally stars Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier, who tested F1 cars, Rovanperä’s move would require a significant commitment ( Motorsport.com , 6.11.2024). Friesacher praised Rovanperä’s ability to be a viable candidate. However, as Jouhki noted, reaching the top of F1 is a “different game” than rallying.

The rumours of Rovanperä’s move to F1 reflect Red Bull’s need to prepare for an uncertain future. Verstappen’s possible departure and the team’s technical challenges have led them to look at new talent. For Finnish fans, seeing Rovanperä at Imola raises hopes of a new F1 hero, but his move would be a huge leap. Red Bull will have to weigh up whether the rally star could also shine in F1, or whether Lawson is a safer choice. The Imola visit may have been just a boost for the Red Bull star, but it has ignited a spark that has the F1 world and Finnish fans on their toes.