The Finnish Rally Championship has confirmed that Latvala and Juho Hänninen will compete together in the Savonlinna Rally. And not just with any car – they will be behind the wheel of Toyota’s Rally2 machine.
This means that Latvala, alongside his co-driver Hänninen, has a real shot at fighting for victory. However, securing first place won’t be easy, as they will face strong competition from Finland’s top rally drivers.
Esapekka Lappi made his return to the Finnish Championship at the recent Arctic Lapland Rally. Lappi will be a strong benchmark for Latvala’s pace, although he will be at a slight disadvantage when it comes to machinery.
While Latvala will be driving Toyota’s latest Rally2 contender, Lappi will be competing with an older version of the Skoda Fabia Rally2.
Lappi finished second in the SM1 class at the Arctic Lapland Rally, just behind young sensation Tuukka Kauppinen. In Savonlinna, the 18-year-old will have the opportunity to challenge Latvala as well. Like Latvala, Kauppinen will also be driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Latvala, who serves as Toyota’s WRC team principal, last drove the Rally2 car at last summer’s Rally Finland, where he impressed with a second-place finish in the WRC2 class. Clearly, the team boss hasn’t lost his speed.
This year, Latvala will be spending even more time behind the wheel, as he is set to compete in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship with his Toyota Celica, alongside co-driver Janni Hussi. Immediately after the Savonlinna Rally, Latvala will head to Spain for the opening round of the European Championship the following weekend.
The Savonlinna Rally is scheduled for 8 March.
