Kalle Rovanperä's Super Formula test cut short by vertigo diagnosis

Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä's first major single-seater test with the KCMG Super Formula team was halted early after he experienced severe balance and vision issues, later diagnosed as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The incident marks a challenging start to the Finn's ambitious career switch from rallying to Formula 1, forcing him to pause his crucial preparation program.

Why it matters:

Rovanperä's abrupt transition from dominating the World Rally Championship to the single-seater ladder is one of motorsport's most watched career moves. A successful adaptation is essential not only for his personal ambition but also as a high-profile test case for drivers switching disciplines. Any significant setback, especially a medical one affecting balance—a core skill in racing—could delay or derail his carefully planned path to F1.

The details:

• The private test took place at the Jerez circuit with the Hitech team, part of Rovanperä's preparation for his 2026 Super Formula campaign with KCMG.
• During a midday break, Rovanperä began experiencing symptoms that doctors later identified as BPPV, a common inner ear disorder causing brief vertigo spells triggered by head movement.
• The condition's symptoms, including dizziness, loss of balance, and involuntary eye movements, made it unsafe for him to continue driving. Team doctors subsequently banned him from driving for the remainder of the week.
• Rovanperä expressed significant disappointment on social media, stating the team had only completed an aero test in the morning before the issue arose, preventing any meaningful running.

What's next:

The immediate focus is on Rovanperä's recovery. BPPV is often treatable with specific physical maneuvers, but the timeline for a full return to the cockpit is uncertain.

• His planned 2026 season in Japan's Super Formula remains the critical next step, as he needs to accumulate the necessary FIA Super License points to qualify for Formula 1.
• The long-term goal is a Formula 2 seat in 2027, positioning him for a potential F1 opportunity. This medical interruption, while a setback, is likely a temporary hurdle in a long-term project, but it underscores the physical and adaptive challenges inherent in such a dramatic career shift.