Jari-Matti Latvala showed the younger drivers how it’s done – “The old guard is still going strong”

Jari-Matti Latvala was in great form on Friday morning at the Rally Finland. Competing for the first time in the WRC2 class with his team’s Rally2 car, the team principal is impressively in second place after the opening loop. The veteran even set the fastest time in his class on the classic Myhinpää stage.

“We started with a good rhythm from Laukaa. The pace was good, although the grip was uncertain. Juho (co-driver Hänninen) gave great feedback. It always gives a good boost,” Latvala laughed at the service.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t drive Saarikas. Otherwise, it’s been a good feeling to drive. I was really looking forward to Myhinpää and pushed a bit there. The old guard is still going strong in Myhinpää.”

In the morning’s opening special stage in Laukaa, Latvala was just a tenth of a second off the fastest time set by class leader Oliver Solberg. The next stage, Saarikas, was cancelled due to a medical emergency in the audience. Only Solberg and Lauri Joona were able to complete the stage in the WRC2 class. Other drivers were given a stage time that was 18.4 seconds slower than Solberg’s.

However, Latvala is confident that the time will be corrected, which could put him in the class lead. Currently, the gap to Solberg is marked at 18.1 seconds.

“Juho has been in contact with Timo Rautiainen at the control centre. Some changes should be coming,” Latvala told Rallit.fi.

Even though Latvala showed that his driving skills are still top-notch, he also praised the younger drivers.

“It’s really fun to be able to race. You get to compare a bit. In Ruuhimäki, we saw how close it is at the front in this class. It doesn’t tolerate the slightest mistake if you want to set the fastest time. A couple of small mistakes cost me time right away. The level is high,” said Latvala, who was 0.6 seconds off the class fastest time in Ruuhimäki.

“It’s nice to see that I can still compete. Of course, it’s only the first loop completed. We still need to get to the finish. I’ve been trying to keep a clear head.”

WRC2 Standings on Rally Finland after SS/20: