Latvala: “The biggest mistake of my career”

A meeting with Jari-Matti Latvala is a pleasure. The young Finn answers all questions carefully and thoughtfully, with kindness coupled with frankness tinged with a good dose of self-deprecation. This is evidenced by this way of getting straight to the heart of the matter.

What is your feeling, after your mistake in the last special of the Rally from Poland?
Comme tu l?imagines, il pourrait difficilement être pire. C?est le plus gros échec de toute l?histoire de M-Sport et j?en suis le responsable. C?est la plus grosse faute de ma carrière. Des tas de gens m?en veulent, mais je ne peux rien changer à ce qui s?est produit. Rien changer à ce que j?ai fait.

How did it go ?
There was almost an hour and a half wait before this damn last super special. We were at the park, under a tent shared by all the pilots. It was as if the rally was over. Unconsciously, I must have felt that way. When I covered these last two kilometers, I probably forgot to sharpen my mind again, to concentrate on these few curves. In one of the first turns, I turned too short. I wasn't going too fast: I simply put my car in the ropes too early. Something broke in the front-right direction and I hit the rail on the outside. I tried to continue, but the ground was too sandy and I overheated the clutch. It ended up catching fire. Miikka (Anttila, his co-pilot. Ed.) and I then pushed the car? Without success.

What will be the consequences of this incident for your future?
Today, I know that I will be at the start in Finland. My situation is very difficult. I made a lot of mistakes. Sports directors cannot accept everything. In my country, I have to be at the finish, even in third place. I have to convince myself that it is necessary for me to lose first, before I start winning again.

This Rally Finland comes at the worst time: you won't be able to give it your all, but you will still have to drive fast. It is imperative that you get ahead of it – at least – Sordo!
It won't be easy. Dani goes particularly fast on the fast stages. I'm going to have to ?push? to be in front of him. It's my aim.

Was it given to you by Malcolm?
We can say it, yes.

To achieve it, do you undergo specific mental preparation?
I called on a specialist based in Helsinki. He takes care of athletes. He has never worked in motorsport.

Find this entire article in your AUTOhebdo magazine N°1708