Finland celebrated as Jari-Matti Latvala kept his nerve to claim a thrilling first home victory after a concerted battle with Volkswagen team-mate Sebastien Ogier.
Latvala dominated most of the four-day Rally Finland, but a brake problem on Saturday evening threw his win into doubt. However, he held off a determined charge by Ogier to win by 3.6sec.
Latvala, conscious of the lack of home success in a country where rallying is a national sport, said he was motivated to fend off Ogier by the support from his fans.
He was embraced by father Jari after finishing the final Ruuhimaki special stage.
“It was so hard to take this victory,” he said. “I had a fantastic feeling with the driving but when I had the brake problem yesterday I was in a difficult position. I was so close to losing the victory, but I fought back. I was nervous today but managed to hold it together.”
Latvala won 13 of the opening 19 stages to build a 31sec lead over the first three days but broke the front right brake caliper on his Polo R when he hit a large hole. Ogier, who had earlier conceded victory, seized his chance and slashed the margin to under four seconds.
But with the Finn’s car restored to health, Ogier had to settle for second. The Frenchman gained maximum bonus points by winning the live TV Power Stage and heads Latvala by 44 points in the title battle with five rounds remaining.
Citroen Total Abu Dhabi driver Kris Meeke drove perhaps the best rally of his career to take third in a DS3.
It was the third podium of the season for the Northern Irishman.
“A podium is pretty special on the biggest rally of all. But we’re still not near perfection yet. Jari-Matti was the epitome of perfection all weekend in how to drive a rally car on these roads. Until I get there and try to win this rally some day, we’ll have to keep trying for perfection,” he said.
Andreas Mikkelsen retained third in the championship by finishing fourth in another Polo R but the Norwegian was more than a minute adrift of Meeke. Mikko Hirvonen finished fifth in a Fiesta RS after a frustrating weekend for the former winner.
Power steering problems today deprived Kiwi Hayden Paddon of sixth. Paddon slipped behind both Hyundai team-mate Juho Hanninen, who bounced back from a second day roll, and Elfyn Evans. Privateers Henning Solberg and Karl Kruuda completed the leaderboard.
FINAL RALLY FINLAND POSITIONS
1. Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen): 2:57:23.2
2. Sebastien Ogier (Volkswagen) +3.6
3. Kris Meeke (Citroen Total Ad) +50.6
4. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) +1:52.5
5. Mikko Hirvonen (M-Sport) +2:49.7
6. Juho Hanninen (Hyundai) +4:29.0
7. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) +5:25.8
8. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) +6:17.8
9. Henin Solberg (Privateer) +12:07.0
10. Karl Kruuda (Privateer) +14:44.7
DRIVER STANDINGS
1. Sebastien Ogier (Volkswagen) – 187 points
2. Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen) – 143
3. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) – 95
4. Mads Ostberg (Citroen Total AD) – 66
5. Mikko Hirvonen (M-Sport) – 62
6. Kris Meeke (Citroen Total AD) – 54
7. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) – 46
8. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) – 42
9. Martin Prokop (Privateer) – 31
10. Henning Solberg (Privateer) – 26
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Volkswagen Motorsport – 305 points
2. Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT – 130
3. M-Sport World Rally Team – 106
4. Volkswagen Motorsport II – 94
5. Hyundai Shell World Rally Team – 88
6. Jipocar Czech National Team – 34
7. RK M-Sport World Rally Team – 21
8. Hyundai Motorsport N – 12
