The Finnish rally world is once again on fire after Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen, nicknamed “The Iceman”, announced that he will return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2026. Räikkönen’s return, revealed in an interview with Ilta-Sanomat, has attracted huge interest, and the reaction of young superstar Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time WRC champion, has been eagerly awaited. Rovanperä, who competes for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, expressed his joy and respect for Räikkönen’s decision to return to rallying, highlighting the strong tradition of Finnish motorsport. His comments to DirtFish reflect not only admiration but also expectations for what Räikkönen’s return could bring to the WRC.

Räikkönen, who competed in the WRC from 2010 to 2011 with Citroën and his own ICE 1 Racing team, left his mark on the series with his speed, although he failed to achieve podium finishes. His best result was fifth place in the 2010 Rally Turkey, and he won a special stage in Germany that year. Now 46, Räikkönen is planning to do selected events in the 2026 season, most notably the World Rally Championship in Finland, but not a full season. Rovanperä, who grew up idolizing Finnish motorsport stars such as Räikkönen, Mika Häkkinen and Tommi Mäkkinen, immediately commented on the news. “It’s great to hear that Kimi is back! He’s a legend, and his presence will definitely bring a lot of attention to the rally,” Rovanperä told DirtFish. He added that Räikkönen’s relaxed attitude and driving skills may surprise you, even though the series has changed since his last visit.

Rovanperä, a 24-year-old from Jyväskylä, has made history in the WRC himself. He won the world championships in 2022 and 2023, becoming the youngest champion at just 22 years old. In the 2025 season, he has returned to a full program after a partial season in 2024, in which he won four rallies but finished seventh. There are similarities in the stories of Rovanperä and Räikkönen: both rose to international fame at a young age, and they are united by a Finnish tenacity. Rovanperä’s father, Harri Rovanperä, was also a WRC driver, and Kimi Räikkönen’s nephew Justus Räikkönen has already shown promise in rallying, highlighting the Finnish motorsport tradition.

Rovanperä’s reaction to Räikkönen’s return was both enthusiastic and practical. He noted that the WRC series has evolved significantly since Räikkönen’s time. Rally1 cars are now lighter with the removal of hybrid units, and Hankook tyres have replaced Pirelli, which has challenged even champions like Rovanperä. “Kimi is fast, but he can learn a lot with the new cars and tyres,” Rovanperä mused. However, he believes that Räikkönen’s experience in F1 and his natural driving skills will make him competitive on certain special stages, especially in Finland, where Räikkönen has always enjoyed the support of his home fans.

Räikkönen’s return comes at the right time for the WRC, which is looking for a new boost. The 2026 season will see new events added to the calendar, including the Paraguay and Saudi Arabia rallies, and Estonia will return to the series. Rovanperä, who has won 16 WRC rallies, holding the Toyota record, sees Räikkönen’s participation as an opportunity to increase the series’ global visibility. “A name like Kimi attracts fans and media, which is good for everyone,” he said. Rovanperä’s own 2025 season has been mixed, as he has struggled with Hankook tyres, but his victory at Rally Islas Canarias showed he is back on top.

Räikkönen’s return has sparked huge excitement among fans, with #IcemanWRC trending on the X platform. Rovanperä, a social media star himself, has noticed the fans’ expectations. “There’s always been a craze around rallying in Finland, and Kimi’s return makes it even bigger,” he laughed. Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota’s team principal, has also praised Räikkönen’s decision, recalling the visibility he brought in the 2010s. Latvala hinted to Ilta-Lehti that Räikkönen could test Toyota’s Rally2 car, but nothing has been confirmed.

As the 2026 season approaches, Rovanperä is looking forward to a possible meeting with Räikkönen on the special stages. “It would be cool to drive in the same race with Kimi, especially in Jyväskylä,” he said. Räikkönen’s return not only brings nostalgia but also reminds us of the unique power of Finnish motorsport. Rovanperä’s support and enthusiasm show that the younger generation appreciates the legacy of the “Iceman”. The WRC series is preparing for a memorable season, and the stories of Räikkönen and Rovanperä are intertwined as part of Finnish rally history.