Formula 1 News: Rovanpera halted by vertigo, Doohan linked to Haas (2nd Update)

(GMM) Kalle Rovanpera’s health scare appears to be easing after the two-time world rally champion was forced to cut short last week’s Super Formula test in Japan.

According to Ilta-Sanomat, Rovanpera’s manager Timo Jouhki says the symptoms of benign positional vertigo that sidelined the Finn’s formative preparation for a future Formula 1 bid have now largely subsided.

“The symptoms have clearly improved,” Jouhki told the newspaper. “The message I received was not entirely clear, but I understood that he no longer has symptoms. I don’t know if he is completely fine.”

Rovanpera revealed last Wednesday that a doctor had banned him from driving for the rest of the week after dizziness struck during a midday break at Suzuka, bringing his Super Formula test to an early end.

The interruption was a blow, given the importance of the running for a driver with no prior single-seater experience.

“He feels bad that he didn’t get to drive,” Jouhki admitted. “It would have been such an important test for a driver who hasn’t had the chance to drive a car like that before.”

Despite the setback, Jouhki remains optimistic that Rovanpera will be fit to contest the opening round of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship in New Zealand, which begins on January 9. Further Super Formula testing is scheduled for March.

Meanwhile, former IndyCar driver Colton Herta has also now started his pathway to Formula 1, taking part in Formula 2 testing in Abu Dhabi as he targets the required Super License points ahead of a possible F1 debut in 2027.

(GMM) Kalle Rovanpera’s switch from rally to single-seaters is not believed to be under threat despite the dizziness episode that ended his Super Formula test early, according to Ilta Sanomat.

Manager Timo Jouhki said the diagnosis of benign positional vertigo means the Suzuka running is “very likely over”, but stressed the 25-year-old faces no restrictions in normal life.

“This could be due to a combination of stress and fatigue, and it can occur in almost any situation,” he said. “He had both a scan and a specialist.

“Of course, you can’t go out to the racetrack when there is even the slightest assumption that such a situation has occurred.”

Jouhki said Rovanpera has received “good treatment” and does not expect a long layoff. “That kind of thing usually goes away pretty quickly with rest,” he said, adding that January’s scheduled Formula Regional Oceania single-seater debut “shouldn’t really be affected”.

Sports doctor Harri Hakkarainen, who has worked with F1 drivers, agreed.

“If it’s benign positional vertigo, there are many treatments for it,” he told the Finnish newspaper. “He is a young man in good health who has better treatment resources around him than usual.

“With this information, I don’t think he will be on the sidelines for long.”

Rovanpera was, however, also unable to take part in most of the three-day rookie test, which Jouhki admitted “matters a lot” – though its impact is “difficult to assess”.

Meanwhile, Jack Doohan’s transition test for Toyota-backed Kondo Racing also hit trouble – the Australian has now crashed twice at the same corner at Suzuka and has had a total of 3 crashes in 2 days.

(GMM) Formula 1 wannabe Kalle Rovanpera’s much-anticipated Super Formula debut test at Suzuka (pictured) was cut short after the Finn was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo.

The 25-year-old former world rally star completed 32 laps in the morning session before withdrawing. “During my midday break, I developed symptoms of benign positional vertigo, which affects my sense of balance,” he confirmed.

“The doctor ordered me to stop driving,” Rovanpera told Iltalehti.

He later confirmed: “Doctors have banned me from driving for the rest of the week. Really disappointed as we didn’t have the chance to do any proper driving other than our aero test this morning.”

His best time left him seven seconds off pacesetter Igor Fraga, placing dead last on the test classification.

Toyota says Rovanpera will now rest before beginning his single-seater transition in January with Hitech in New Zealand’s Formula Regional Oceania series.

Jack Doohan also appeared on the Suzuka timesheet (21st fastest) after a last-minute clearance from Alpine’s Formula 1 team.

According to sources, Flavio Briatore agreed to release Doohan less than 24 hours before his flight, enabling him to test with Kondo Racing.

Doohan, replaced by Franco Colapinto earlier this year, is now in talks for a 2026 reserve role at Haas. With Toyota Gazoo Racing becoming Haas’ new title sponsor, the team is expected to expand FP1, simulator and TPC running.