Over the weekend, Rally Chile faced periods of thick fog, making driving sometimes dangerous. Toyota’s team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala, recalled how he used to handle foggy conditions very well. Latvala reminisced about the 2017 Wales Rally GB, which was also run under very foggy conditions.
“Back in 2017, I think I did a very, very strong time over there when I was young and fast. But in 2019, I lost the wheel when I hit the rock. So, on the other hand, in contrast, it didn’t go that well,” Latvala laughed.
“But I have to say, I know what they were facing with the fog. It’s a horrible feeling to drive. Of course, it gives you the opportunity when you attack, and you can make amazing times, but the risk level is higher. So maybe I’m getting a bit older and wiser—I wouldn’t have attacked like I did back in 2017,” Latvala added.
After this, the press conference host asked Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä if they shared Latvala’s views.
“He’s definitely older,” Tänak laughed.
“I even remember from this year, I think, a picture where the Celica was upside down. So, I think the attack mode is still the same,” Tänak continued.
Rovanperä agreed with Tänak.
“I also believe the same. I would say if he had been in the car, it would have been the same mindset as in 2017,” Rovanperä chuckled.
Even though Latvala may be older and wiser now, his memory hasn’t faded. In the 2017 Wales Rally GB, the Finn did indeed set strong times and finished fifth. However, in the 2019 event, he was forced to retire.
