Kalle Rovanperä, the two-time world rally champion, is in the headlines again, but this time not just for his driving. After the World Rally Championship in Portugal in May 2025, the Finn took to the barricades to harshly criticize the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for the disproportionate penalty imposed on his teammate Sébastien Ogier. The FIA’s unexpected and harsh rebuttal has sparked heated debate in rally circles and on social media, such as X (@RalliFi), where fans are divided between supporting Rovanperä and defending the FIA’s line. The incident has raised deeper questions about the fairness of motorsports rules and the freedom of speech of drivers.

The controversy began when Ogier was fined €30,000 after a critical comment he made after the Rally Portugal, calling the FIA’s decision to award him a time penalty that dropped him from second place “ridiculous” ( MTVUutiset.fi ). Rovanperä, who won the rally and led Toyota’s 1-2-3-4 classification, openly supported his teammate. He stated on DirtFish: “The FIA should focus on developing the sport, not punishing drivers for small words.” He also criticized the length of the rally days, especially the 15-hour Friday stint, which he said jeopardizes safety due to tired drivers ( Sportti.com ). Rovanperä’s words reflect a wider frustration, as he and other drivers, such as Ott Tänak, have complained about the FIA’s stricter policy, which penalizes swearing and critical comments.

The FIA’s response was unexpected and harsh. In an official statement, published on WRC.com , the organization accused the drivers of “disrespectful behavior” that “undermines the values of motorsports.” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stressed that “drivers must be role models and their behavior must reflect the global status of the sport.” The statement also referred to an open letter from WorDA (World Rally Drivers’ Association) in which Rovanperä, Ogier and Adrien Fourmaux demanded direct dialogue with the FIA ( Yle.fi ). According to the FIA, the drivers’ protests, such as Rovanperä’s silence in interviews at the Kenya Rally, are “irresponsible” and could lead to further sanctions, such as a ban.

Rovanperä’s stance is not an isolated incident. Earlier in 2025, he and other drivers founded WorDA to protest the FIA’s strict language policy, which began with fines of 10,000 euros, as in the case of Fourmaux at the Rally Sweden ( MTVUutiset.fi ). Rovanperä’s protest in Kenya, where he refused to speak English and responded only in Finnish, received widespread support from fans (@F1RalliFan). However, the FIA’s line has become stricter under Ben Sulayem, and with the new rules, drivers can also be punished with sporting sanctions, such as grid penalties ( MTVUutiset.fi ). This has raised fears that the freedom of expression of motorsports is under threat.

The World Rally Championship is in a state of flux. The 2025 season, in which Rovanperä will drive a full programme in Toyota’s GR Yaris Rally1, will feature 14 events, with new rallies such as Saudi Arabia added to the calendar ( SuomiF1.com ). Rovanperä’s season started weakly with fourth and fifth places in Monte Carlo and Sweden, but he has moved up to second in the standings after winning the Canary Islands Rally and finishing third in Portugal ( WRC.com ). His 33-point lead over leader Elfyn Evans keeps his championship hopes alive, but the war of words with the FIA could affect his focus.

Fans and experts are divided. In X, @RalliAddikti praises Rovanperä as an “honest leader”, while @FIAFairPlay claims that “drivers must respect the rules”. Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota team principal, supports Rovanperä and considers the FIA’s line “too harsh” ( Rallit.fi ). Meanwhile, outside of motorsport, Rovanperä’s versatility – his victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux at Imola and his participation in the Dubai 24 Hours – reinforces his status as a superstar in the sport ( Sportauto.fi ).

As the season continues with the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship on July 31, the tension between Rovanperä and the FIA will be at the forefront. His fight for a third world championship, combined with his rebellion against FIA regulations, has made him not only a hero on the track but also a voice for the drivers. However, the FIA’s tough line could lead to new penalties that will challenge the perseverance of Rovanperä and his colleagues.