Jari-Matti Latvala’s Toyota rally team had a miserable World Rally Championship in Greece.
According to Jari-Matti Latvala, the World Cup rally in Greece was not a disaster. Vesa Pöppönen / All Over Press
The worst race of the season in the rocky rally put team boss Jari-Matti Latvala in a tight spot. In the Manufacturers’ World Series, Toyota still maintained its lead with 63 points.
None of the Toyota factory team drivers made it to the finish line without problems. Kalle Rovanperä crashed his car on Saturday and Esapekka Lappi stopped due to a technical fault. by Elfyn Evans taival, on the other hand, was interrupted by a technical problem on Sunday morning from fourth place.
– This was not a disaster, but definitely a bad weekend. We came here in a good mood, as we had won here last year. History doesn’t repeat itself. It does not mean that if you have succeeded in the previous year, you will succeed in the next year with the same formula, Latvala summed up to Iltalehte.
– In terms of performance, we were not at the level of the others and we also had technical problems. There was a lot to learn from this.
Latvala believes that in Toyota’s camp this season’s top success had filled their stomachs, so to speak.
– We had a long period of good success and our car was fast everywhere. Maybe we got a little lulled into that same pattern and forgot that things should also be looked at from outside the box.
Rovanperä still maintained his lead in the World Championship by more than 50 points, when the young Finnish driver grabbed four points from the Power Stage special test that ended the race.
– Those were really important points. They were of great importance, especially now that Hyundai was not playing tactics. They would have had the opportunity to make tactics and raise Ott (Tänak) Thierry’s (Neuville) before. They didn’t. It makes the situation a little easier, Latvala stated.
The team boss also had enough praise for Lap, even though the race was ruined due to a technical fault on Saturday. Lapland got one point for themselves and their team from the Power Stage.
– The point is tough. It is a spiritual victory. You did everything you had to do, no more can be done. You can be quite satisfied with that. Thank you for bringing up the point, Latvala waved to Lap.
The Rally World Series continues in New Zealand at the turn of September and October.
– New Zealand is certainly one of the most beautiful rallies. In terms of atmosphere, Finland is number one, but in terms of roads, New Zealand is certainly the best. At least I’m already looking towards New Zealand. After all, it’s already been in the heat of Greece here, I’m expecting a bit colder weather there, Latvala laughed.