Jari-Matti Latvala wins at home

After the long 23 km special this morning, Sébastien Ogier had returned to 3″7 from his teammate at Volkswagen Jari-Matti Latvala. The Frenchman then had little hope of achieving regular victory over the 6,79 km of the closing Power Stage of this Rally of Finland 2014 in which did not take part Craig Breen, injured back during first pass.

If the World Champion made a point of signing the last scratch of the event (his 12th since Thursday), it is Jari-Matti Latvala who wins his second Rally Finland. This is the 11th career victory for the Finn and his 3rd of the season. A success despite his brake problems yesterday at the end of the day. “We really worked really hard for this win. When we had these problems, it put us in a very difficult situation, but we fought. I am really very very happy. » declares the Finn after receiving a hug from his teammate. “I am happy with this 2nd place, admits on his side Ogier. It’s a great result after a magnificent fight. Jari was literally flying today. »

Behind the Volkswagen duo, who won 25 of the 26 stages of the event, it was Kris Meeke who completed the podium with his Citroën DS3. The Northern Irishman also took the point for 3rd place in the Power Stage. Meeke, 50 seconds behind Ogier, is ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen), Mikko Hirvonen (Ford) and Juho Hänninen (Hyundai). In WRC-2, the Estonian Karl Kruuda wins ahead of the Finnish Jari Ketomaa and the Estonian Ott Tänak. Victory in the Junior WRC for Slovakian Martin Koci ahead of Frenchman Quentin Giordano.

The next round of the WRC will take place from August 22 to 24 in Germany. Photos of the Rallye de Finande are accessible here, and the videos this link.

Find the report and analysis of the Rally Finland, produced by our special correspondents in Jyväskylä, in the 1972 issue of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version and from Wednesday on newsstands.