Jari-Matti Latvala: “Kalle Rovanperä has arguments to become world champion”

What is your assessment at the end of this ordeal?

I am obviously very happy with the result. We were afraid of suffering from the sweep and we were ready to settle for a podium. If the start of the race was in line with our expectations, our crews were then on top, as was our car. I can only be proud.

Kalle Rovanperä was still amazing this weekend!

I don't know where he got this level of competitiveness! It is certain that he was on another planet during this rally. I feel like in these past months, it's like he's grown 5 years.

He has decided to erase your name wherever you were before. Youngest winner in WRC, last winner here…

…And I’m glad he does! In Finland, it's very good that we have a driver of his age winning. It is a source of motivation for those who want to race and for the fans. The last Finnish world champion was Marcus Grönholm and that dates back to 2002. With Kalle, people can once again say that it is possible.

Do you think Kalle can fight for the title soon? It would be good for the team at a time when Ogier will take a step back...

When you have just won your second rally of the season and it is your first full year in the WRC, I am not counting 2020, you inevitably have arguments to become world champion. However, I don't want to put too much pressure on him. I remain convinced that he still needs to learn and gain experience in certain events. I think it will be ready in 2023.

In addition to the two podiums, you also achieved the hat-trick in the Power Stage. It’s a great weekend for the Manufacturers’ Championship…

These points are extremely important. We conceded in Ypres and that generated a bit of pressure. We were aware that losing more would have put even more pressure on us for our event in Finland. We will be more liberated in Jyväskylä.

Ogier and Ingrassia also performed well!

They know how to win titles and manage to adapt their speed according to the challenges. They behaved like champions!