Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson enjoyed the ride.
Ulf Kristersson was all smiles after his rally car debut. Toni Heinonen
Jari-Matti Latvala was an honor at the Swedish World Rally Championship on Friday evening.
Latvala left the duties of Toyota’s team manager for a while, because he got a driving gig. Tuurilainen changed his driving overalls and jumped into the cockpit of his Toyota Celica in Umeå.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister of Sweden sat in the passenger seat Ulf Kristerssonwith whom Latvala pulled through the public special test in Umeå before the actual World Rally Championship.
– This came a bit out of the blue. But in that sense, this went well when the Prime Minister was asked for a ride, because I had brought this car here anyway. Thomas Rådström will drive this as a zero car tomorrow between the World Rally Championship and the historic race, Latvala explained.
Latvala and Kristersson were all smiles as they galloped to the finish line in the heart of the Red Barn arena at the end of the five-kilometer special test.
– It was absolutely fantastic. It’s hard to describe in words. He drove really hard, Kristersson gushed.
– I’ve actually never experienced anything like this. I can’t compare this to anything else, but it was just as exciting as I had been told. My friends told me to enjoy the ride. I was just trying to follow where the car was going, the prime minister continued.
The laughter was refreshing
Jari-Matti Latvala received an honorary assignment in Sweden. PDO
Latvala confirmed that Kristersson enjoyed being a map reader. According to the Toyota boss, the Prime Minister was even surprisingly calm before the gas went to the bottom.
– Once I had an English soccer player on board and he was much more nervous before the start of the special test. The Prime Minister was not nervous and at the end he clearly relaxed and started laughing when we came here to the arena. He said that for just half a second he thought it was out of control. Otherwise, he relied on driving all the time, Latvala laughed.
It was also fun with the most experienced driver through the World Rally Championship.
– It was really nice to drive through the clip. It was a bit difficult when there was a lot of loose snow and the snow reflected on the lights.
– I have to say that in the jumps you noticed that you can’t get into them with the Celica at full speed. The age is starting to show a little in the jumps, Latvala letkautti.