Jost Capito impressed by Latvala

If the long-awaited duel between the French Sébastien Ogier and the Finn Jari-Matti Latvala came up short in Rally of France-Alsace last weekend after the engine problems of the reigning World Champion at the start of the event, Latvala nonetheless impressed his boss Jost Capito.

“It?s impressive how quickly Jari-Matti learned. Between Germany and here, he has progressed a lot. It was absolutely fantastic to see him perform here and get his first victory on asphalt. With this historic performance, he maintains the suspense in the title race. » admits Capito on the website of WRC. The last Finnish victory on asphalt dates back to the 1999 Sanremo Rally with Tommi Mäkinen and the Mitsubishi Lancer (Marcus Grönholm's victory at the 2006 Monte-Carlo was not counted as an asphalt success, Editor's note.)

With the Manufacturers' title already in its pocket, Volkswagen will not hold back its drivers during the Rally of Spain (October 23-26). “All that’s left is the fight between Seb and Jari-Matti for the Drivers’ championship. They can fight. It would be great if the championship remained open all the way to Wales. (which will bring the 2014 season to a close from November 14 to 16, Editor’s note.) »

But just one small point more than Latvala is enough for Ogier, who won the Power Stage in France, and the three points that go with it, to retain his world crown, and the Frenchman will perhaps play it safe on the Catalan roads.

Find the full report of the Rallye de France-Alsace, produced by our special correspondents on site, in issue 1981 of AUTOhebdo, already available in digital version and on newsstands.