Jari-Matti Latvala completed a record-breaking event for the
Stobart VK M-Sport team with another stunning performance on the final leg of Wales Rally GB as the young Finn gave the privateer Ford team its first clean-sweep of stages victories.
Following on from his six fastest times on leg two, Latvala - being tipped by many as the man Ford might elect to call-up to replace the retiring Marcus Gronholm in the full works team next season - posted the fastest time on each of the final four stages to give him an impressive record of ten quickest times from a possible 17. Not only was that the best performance to date from a Stobart driver, his final leg heroics also marked the first time that a Stobart car has won every stage on a leg of a WRC event.
Unfortunately for Latvala, the problems encountered on the final stage of leg one meant he was only able to finish the event in tenth place, thereby not adding to his own points tally and slipping behind
Chris Atkinson in the drivers' championship standings. It also meant that the Stobart team was unable to hold off
Subaru in the fight for third in the manufacturers' championship.
"The conditions on this rally were extremely difficult but I was concentrating hard and am very pleased to get so many fastest times," Latvala reflected. "It was very exciting going to the first stage this morning in darkness and heavy rain, we just didn't know what to expect. I had a really comfortable pace throughout the whole rally and was pushing around 95 per cent all the way. I found a good rhythm and just kept at it.
"Yes it's a shame about our problems on Friday but I have shown a very consistent performance and that is important for me. I wanted to improve my driving and I am happy with what I have achieved. It's a shame we couldn't have topped off a great year by claiming third in the manufacturers' championship."
