Jari-Matti Latvala is currently Toyota’s team manager.
Jari-Matti Latvala longs to get back behind the wheel of a World Rally Championship car. Vesa Pöppönen / All Over Press
Jari-Matti Latvala plans to return to the World Rally Championship as a driver, says the rally website Dirtfish.
According to the website, Latvala has left the door open for his return. Latvala ended his driving career in 2019.
– I am 37 years old now. I have driven the Finnish World Rally Championship 17 times and won it three times. I’d like to ride it one more time before I’m 40, Latvala told Dirtfish.
Latvala competed in the Historic Rally in Lahti after this summer’s World Rally Championship in Finland, and won it in an overwhelming manner.
It reminded the Finn how much he still wants to drive at the highest level.
– I have been thinking about this for some time, but the Finnish World Rally Championship and Lahti made me think about this more.
– In addition, I have driven 209 World Rally Championship events, it would be nice to get that number to 210, Latvala added.
Latvala said he wanted to experience what it feels like to drive a new generation of cars in Finland.
The Finnish motor sports association AKK has offered several Finnish rally legends the opportunity to drive in the Finnish World Rally Championship at the age of 50.
Markku Alén, Timo Salonen, Ari Vatanen mixed Juha Kankkunen have all driven a World Series car.
– If I can do this before I’m 40, maybe they’ll help me come back when I’m 50.