Jari-Matti Latvala would like to participate in at least one World Cup rally in the next few years.
Jari-Matti Latvala wants to complete the tie in the number of world championship rallies. PDO
Acting as a Toyota team manager Jari-Matti Latvala recently revealed his plan in an interview with DirtFish. Latvala, who has driven the most races in the World Rally Championship, also opens his intentions to Iltalehti.
– I am now 37 years old and have driven 209 World Championship races. I want to drive it at least one more time. I want to run event number 210 before I turn 40 – it should be completed that year at the latest, Latvala, who was born in 1985, plans.
Latvala ended his active career in 2020 and at the beginning of the following year he started as Toyota team manager. He still regularly participates in historic rallies, but he would like to return to the top level of the sport for a while.
The most likely place for the return race would be the Finnish World Cup Rally, which is traditionally organized in the late summer around Jyväskylä. Toyota’s headquarters is located in Jyväskylä.
– I have not driven a single rally with a new technology car and it would be my dream to drive one race in one, Latvala refers to the current hybrid racers of the Rally1 classification, which have been driven in the main class of the World Championship since the beginning of this year.
But when might Latvala get a chance to return?
-For example, in two years it could be possible when there are more cars. Then it would be more realistic, Latvala estimates.
– Now it’s not realistic and it can be difficult even next year. But in 2024 it could be quite possible. However, we have to discuss that with Toyota, Latvala laughs.
Toyota has been on a roll this season with its new Rally1 car. The Finnish star of the team Kalle Rovanperä has won no less than five of the nine races of the season and leads the World Championship by far. In addition, Toyota has a clear lead in the Manufacturers’ World Series.
The next race of the season will be held in Greece on 8-11. September