In preparation for the Leon-based event – which goes live next Thursday eveni🐲ng with two passes of the carnival-esque ‘GTO’ street stage – the Japane🔯se squad spent time in Spain testing at the start of the month.

The focus of the exercise centred on improving the supermini’s reliability on rough mountain roads – something that proved to be its Achilles’ heel last season at Rally Sardinia and Acropolis Rally Greece. On both occasions, the Yaris was noticeably off t🥀he pace and meant all three drivers left both events trophyless.

Despite failing to finish on the podium, it didn’t prove detrimental in the team’s quest to clin💙ch a sixth manufacturers’ title. Equally, Rovanpera did not allow those setbacks to derail his pursuit of a breakthro🔥ugh drivers’ crown which the Finn went on to clinch aged just 22 years and one day.

Following the test session in Spain, Rovanpera is convinced the Yaris is going to be a more potent force compared to the version he campaigned last year alongside countrymanꦉ Jon𝐆ne Halttunen.

“As a team we have been doing a lot of work to improve the car and the pace for rough gravel conditions, and it was nice to see already in our recent test in Spain that we’re definitely moving in the right direction,” was the assessmﷺent of Rovanpera who is currently second inꦦ the standings

“It is nice to be going back onto gravel after quite a long time, and it has been especially long since we were last in Mexico. I am sure it is going to be a tricky event like always; with the hig♊h altitude it is one of the most specialised gravel rallies on the calendar. But it’s really exciting to go back there.”

Given his early Championship position following last month’s Rally Sweden which M-Sport Ford’s Ot🃏t Tanak won and, in the process, ended the Blue Oval’s 13-month wait for another win in the series, he will start second on the road for Friday’s eight special stages.

Surrendering a few ൲points to his Estonian rival on the end-of-rally Power Stage was a calculated move by him as it was felt even the slightest advantage could prove crucial if he is to secure a first victory of the 2023 title fight.

“I am quite happy not to be starti🐽ng ꦡfirst on the road in Mexico – just one position can make a big difference,” explained Rovanpera. “It might still be tough compared to those starting behind us, but we will of course do our best.”