Ford Abu Dhabi Team Principal Malcolm Wilson believes that Jari-Matti Latvala can take a long-overdue first win at the Jordan Rally, even though Citroen have had the edge for most of the opening day of competition.
Latvala is the only Ford driver in realistic contention for victory, since Mikko Hirvonen had to run first on the road all day - always a disadvantage on gravel events. The cancellation of the first day’s stages because of transport delays meant Hirvonen had to run first over a greater distance, since Friday’s schedule included two runs over one of the longest stages in the WRC calendar.
Latvala won two of today’s six stages after making a set-up change during the lunchtime service halt, elevating him to second place overall with one stage to run. But when Sebastian Loeb slowed on the final stage in a tactical move to avoid having to run first on the road today [Saturday], Ford instructed Latvala to follow suit.
“If you look at what’s happened, okay, Mikko had a difficult day, and lost more time than we expected, but all the calculations are that it can be done.
“These are different cars, different drivers, but having seen what the effects of running first on the road are we decided to take advantage and try to run third on the road.
“I think with this rally being as difficult as it is, anything is still possible. Jari can still win but what we have to remember is that four drivers are in a position to win this rally.”
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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