Corsica: Latvala has a good feeling on asphalt

La Toyota Yaris WRC will be put to the test on asphalt in the Tour de Corse contested this week. After winning in Sweden, the Japanese manufacturer will face a new challenge but will be able to count on the experience and good form of Jari-Matti Latvala who won in Rally of the 10 Bends in 000 with the Volkswagen Polo R WRC.

“Corsica is a special test for me, said Jari-Matti Latvala, closest to the Championship leader Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport). My victory meant a lot because it's a difficult place for the Finns after Henri Toivonen's accident in 1986. Our country has never really done well here. »

“I think differently now and rallying has become much safer, underlined the Toyota driver. We completed a 300km test session over two days, with the first day on bumpy and narrow roads and the second on fast and abrasive roads. We should have good settings for both of these conditions after testing several shock setups. We have already had a good overview of the car's potential on asphalt after the Monte-Carlo and my feelings are much better than after the first test session. »

Toyota on the right track

Tommi Mäkinen, Team Principal of the WRC department of Toyota Gazoo Racing, is also confident about the performance of the Yaris WRC on asphalt.

“We had a very good test session by introducing new elements to the car and our performance on asphalt seems promising, warned Tommi Mäkinen. We hope to have the car to achieve a result, but our objectives have not changed: we want to gain experience and learn. »

“Jari-Matti likes this event and he is in a very good mood, recalled Tommi Mäkinen. He is in second position on the road, but that should not be a problem in Corsica. It doesn't tend to cut corners and the road conditions should suit it. »

Jari-Matti Latvala will be accompanied by Juho Hänninen to defend the colors of Toyota Gazoo Racing. The Japanese brand has not won the Tour de Corse since Didier Auriol's victory on Celica GT-4 in 1995.