Kalle Rovanperä, the 24-year-old two-time world rally champion, is once again at the centre of the rallying world, but this time not only for his driving skills but also for his surprising stance. On 10 June 2025, the FIA ​​published new rules that restrict drivers’ language on the radio and in interviews, as well as their social stances. The rules, which come into force in the second half of the season, have sparked heated debate, and Rovanperä’s unexpected action after the World Rally Championship in Portugal (15–18 May 2025) has made him a figurehead for the resistance. The FIA’s policy may affect his championship chances, but the Finn’s bold move has fans and experts confused.

The FIA’s new rules ban swearing and “inappropriate” comments on radio and in interviews, and violations are punishable by fines or even bans. The federation justifies the decision by saying that the sport is “family-friendly” and attracts young spectators. Rovanperä, known for his outspoken comments, strongly criticized the rule in Portugal: “This kills the soul of rallying. We are asked to have genuine passion, but then we are punished for our emotions.” According to him, drivers are top athletes who are expected to give immediate reactions after special stages, when emotions are at the surface. Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala supported Rovanperä, telling Yle that the rules threaten the authenticity of the sport, which is the core of its appeal.

Rovanperä’s surprising move came on the Monday after the Rally Portugal, when he attended a meeting of the drivers’ association and proposed a boycott of the FIA ​​press conference in Italy (30 May–2 June 2025) if the rules were not relaxed. According to reports in X, Rovanperä brought along Ott Tänak and Sébastien Ogier, who have already protested against the FIA ​​in Kenya in March 2025. This bold move has attracted admiration, but also concern, as FIA fines could reduce Rovanperä’s points or lead to a ban, which would weaken his position in the championship. Rovanperä is second in the World Championship with 66 points, 43 points behind Elfyn Evans.

Rovanperä’s 2025 season has been mixed. He dominated the Canary Islands Rally in April, winning 15 of the 18 stages and leading Toyota to a 1-2-3-4 finish. In Portugal, he finished third but complained to WRC.com about the poor grip of Hankook’s new gravel tyres, which did not suit his driving style. In Kenya, he retired with a technical failure, which dropped him 57 points behind Evans. However, the victory in the Canary Islands and the podium in Portugal show that Rovanperä is still a championship contender, but the FIA ​​regulations could add to the pressure. According to Motorsport.com , fines for swearing or protesting can cost up to €10,000, and repeated infringements can result in points being lost.

The rally community has reacted unanimously. In X, the hashtag #LetRallyBeRally has garnered thousands of posts from fans supporting Rovanperä and calling on the FIA ​​to repeal the rules. Tänak told DirtFish that “rallying is not golf – emotions are part of the sport.” Ogier, an eight-time champion, added that the rules are unrealistic because drivers cannot control every word during a race. The drivers’ association has drafted a petition to be presented to the FIA ​​before Rally Italia. Latvala proposed a compromise that would see the interviews postponed to allow drivers time to calm down, but Rovanperä considers this insufficient.

The FIA ​​rules reflect a broader trend towards the commercialisation of motorsport, but they could alienate rally fans who value the individuality of the drivers. Rovanperä’s boycott proposal is risky, but it shows his leadership as a young driver. His protest could either force the FIA ​​to negotiate or make matters worse, affecting his championship chances. Rovanperä’s season continues in Italy, where he hopes to find a better feel for the tyres and avoid conflict with the FIA. The rally world will be watching closely to see whether the sport’s soul survives or becomes sterile. In any case, Rovanperä’s move is already a historic moment in the World Rally Championship.