The Latest Breaking News from Kalle Rovanperä

The defending world champion is leading the standings heading into this weekend’s Italian round, but will face a tall order to repeat the drought-breaking victory he scored in Portugal last month.

The reigning world champion has so far produced a faultless display to head into Sunday’s final four stages with a 57.5s lead over Hyundai’s Dani Sordo.

The World Rally Championship heads to the asphalt roads of Ypres Rally Belgium this weekend, with Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera facing a slim prospect of wrapping up the title.

Paris (AFP) - Ott Tanak and Kalle Rovanpera head into the closing stages of the Rally of Finland with only 8.4 seconds splitting the pair.

Naivasha (Kenya) (AFP) - Former world motor rally champion Sebastian Loeb retired from the Safari Rally in Kenya with engine trouble on Friday, making a second successive early exit to his selective WRC campaign.

Rome (Italy) (AFP) - Hyundai's Ott Tanak won the Rally of Sardinia on Sunday ahead of Irishman Craig Breen in a Ford, while world championship leader Kalle Rovanperä extended his lead at the top.

The World Rally Championship has a new star on its hand as Kalle Rovanpera notched up a third consecutive win on the weekend the championship celebrated its 50th anniversary season. Autosport reviews the highs, lows, turning points, close calls and heartbreak from a Rovanpera masterclass in Portugal.

Toyota boss Jari Matti-Latvala has likened Kalle Rovanpera’s Rally Portugal victory to the dominance Sebastien Ogier produced on his way to a first World Rally Championship title in 2013.

Toyota boss Jari Matti-Latvala has likened Kalle Rovanpera’s Rally Portugal victory to the dominance Sebastien Ogier produced on his way to a first World Rally Championship title in 2013.