Kalle Rovanperä leads, and Elfyn Evans is in second place after Saturday’s stages. Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala was naturally pleased with the strong performance, though Sébastien Ogier’s retirement on Saturday morning slightly dampened the mood.
Although part-time driver Ogier unexpectedly had a chance to fight for the championship, the odds were slim. The retirement, however, sealed the deal.
“We’ve been really fast, and we have to be happy with that. Of course, it’s disappointing that Sébastien made a small mistake, which broke a bolt in the suspension and led to his retirement. It wasn’t a big deal for the team, but for him personally, of course,” Latvala summarized.
“The chances of competing for the drivers’ championship ended there, but that’s what racing is.”
Ogier has claimed three wins and three second-place finishes this season. However, in Chile and the previous Rally Greece, luck has turned its back on him.
“I have to admit, Sébastien has had terrible luck this year. Over the years, he’s had his share of good fortune, but not this time. I tried to encourage him by saying that even though he’s over 40, he’s still incredibly fast,” Latvala said.
Sami Pajari is once again on track for a strong result in his second rally with a Rally1 car. Pajari is in sixth place after Saturday, having driven a consistent and cautious race. While the young Finnish driver has shown flashes of speed, he’s mostly played it safe.
“Sami has done exactly what we’ve asked of him. He’s been patient, delivering a solid performance and easing off in difficult sections. That’s crucial for all of us,” Latvala said.
“We’ve been really pleased with his performance. He was cautious in the fog, as he doesn’t yet know the car’s limits in such conditions. In drier weather, he’s been able to push harder because he understands how the car behaves.”
