Jari-Matti Latvala for sure is an exception, for him they have built a career since he was 10 (he got his first competiotion car at the age of 8). He has driven variety of cars in variety of conditions since the beginning (in GB, Italy, Finland already in the first year), rwd (corolla, ascona, escort), fwd (opel astra, renault clio group n and a, citroen saxo, suzuki ignis, ford puma and fiesta) and 4wd (lancer, impreza, cup and N, corolla wrc, Focus versions)...
Everyone knew he's gonna go far since he started the rallysprint competitions in Corolla GT 16 years old.