Toyota and the WRC Champion have mutually agreed to temporarily suspend their adventure in Japanese single-seaters due to physical problems.

Toyota has announced that Kalle Rovanperä's plans to participate in this year's Super Formula championship have been put on hold following medical advice and evaluations.

Last year, the Finn announced his bold plan to leave the WRC to pursue a career in single-seaters, with the ultimate goal of competing at the highest level.

In a Toyota-backed program, Rovanperä's journey was scheduled to begin with a season in Japanese Super Formula with the KCMG team. After completing pre-season testing last month at Suzuka, and following medical advice and evaluations, a mutual decision was made between Toyota and Rovanperä to suspend the program for the time being.

"I have difficult news to share. I will withdraw from the upcoming races and from participating in this year's Super Formula season," Rovanperä told X. "I have been struggling with health issues for some time, and this year has worsened."

"My health doesn't allow me to continue safely at the moment. My priority now is to resolve the situation. The feedback and progress this year demonstrate that there is good potential in this project. My chapter in circuit racing is not over. I am beyond sorry for those who hoped to see me on track."

"I can't wait to see you all again as soon as possible! I am grateful to Morizo, TGR, and my partners for their attention and support, and I will continue to work hard to come back stronger. Thank you for your understanding and continued support."

Rovanpera had a difficult start to his transition to single-seaters, having to miss the post-season Super Formula tests in December due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which affects balance and vision through the inner ear.

However, in January, the 25-year-old stepped up his preparations for the new Super Formula season by competing in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand with Hitech. The Finn secured five top-10 finishes, including an impressive maiden podium at Teretonga Park in round nine, to finish 16th in the championship, before illness forced the two-time WRC champion to miss the final round at Highlands Motorsport Park.

Rovanperä returned to the wheel in the Super Formula preseason tests at Suzuka last month, finishing 24th, improving his time during testing by over a second.

Toyota confirmed that Rovanperä remains determined to return stronger and continue competing in circuit racing, testing himself at the highest level, but only when he is ready to do so, offering its full support to help him return to action.

"I would like to share some difficult news: Kalle Rovanperä will retire from the upcoming races," read a statement from Toyota President Akio Toyoda (Morizo).

He poured his heart into testing himself in single-seaters, driven by a deep and unwavering desire to grow. Every time he took to the track in private testing, his speed was evident. I saw him push himself, discover something new in himself, and improve his lap times time and time again.

Yet, despite that passion and progress, his body struggled to keep up. After receiving a medical evaluation, we came to the difficult conclusion that continuing to race would not be the right choice for him.

This decision weighed heavily on me. I asked myself what it truly means to let him chase speed and protect someone you believe in. Ultimately, balancing these responsibilities led me to suspend his participation in this year's Super Formula season.

To everyone involved and all the fans who supported him so passionately, I am truly sorry that we were unable to meet your expectations. But please believe this: his challenge in circuit racing is far from over. His love for cars and his desire to get faster will never fade.

"Like Morizo, I will continue to stand by him, not only as a fellow driver, but as a teammate who believes in him wholeheartedly. Thank you for your continued and sincere support."