Rally New Zealand 2022: Rowanbere wins and is already the youngest champion in history

Calle Rowenbere has won the 2022 Rally New Zealand and, with Ott Tannock’s result, has been crowned World Rally Champion. He is the youngest champion in WRC history and has done it at the age of 22 and on a day, in this case after Colin McCrae … precisely on the stage where the Scotsman achieved his first World Cup victory.

It was a very good rally for the Finn from Toyota. Yesterday was his birthday and he “celebrated” it in style. With a solid lead on New Zealand’s muddy tracks. Sébastien Ogier settled for second and Ott Tanak, due to problems with his Hyundai, finished third, meaning his title chances were effectively waved off barring a surprise on the ‘Power Stage’.

But, of course, the work still needs to be done. Sunday’s stage was made up of four sections that totaled only 30.34 time kilometers, which ensured that the first three special stages of the day would be conservative in preparation for the final attack of the Power Stage. Extra points at risk-

And effectively it has been. Calle Rovenpere took the best time in the first segment on Sunday, but he assured that he is going calmly. Later, Ott Tänak responded on Jake’s Ridge to issue a caution for the Power Stage and Sébastien Ogier was faster in the final stage. We made a final push with rally positions, but put the title at risk.

Later, on the Power Stage, Ott Tannock set the best provisional time and put all the pressure on the shoulders of Cale Rowanbera, but the Finn pulled through his class and took the title including a scratch. With this, the Finn not only achieved his eighth win in the top flight, but also the most important milestone in his sporting career till date.

On the other hand, Sébastien Ogier completed the double for Toyota and Ot Tanak took the third step of the podium, while Thierry Neuville finished fourth and Oliver Solberg fifth. Hayden Baden, for his part, lived up to the predictions, taking victory in WRC2 as well as sixth in the general classification.

With the drivers’ title already decided, the WRC has two more rounds to decide the champion brand. At the moment, Toyota dominates with 455 points, followed by Hyundai with 374 points and M-Sport Ford with 224 points. The next test is the Rally of Spain, which will be held from October 20 to 23.

General ranking

1. Kalle Rowanbera – 2h48’01”4

2. Sebastien Ogier – +34”6

3. Ot Thanak – +48”5

4. In Theory New – +1’58”8

5. Oliver Solberg – +3’55”3

6. Hayden Baden – +10’03”7

7. Lorenzo Bertelli – +10’39”0

8. Kajetan Kajetanovic – +12’36”8

9. Shane van Gisbergen – +13’28”8

10. Harry Bates – +16’51”6

Driving Championship

1. Kalle Rowanbera – 237 points

2. Ot Thanak – 173 points

3. Theory Neuville – 144 points

4. Elfin Evans – 116 points

5. Takamoto Katsuda – 100 points

Brand Championship

1. Toyota – 455 points

2. Hyundai – 374 points

3. M-Sport Ford – 224 points

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