Time's Up for Latvala...

It would be a crime if JML sneaked the title instead of Mikko IMO. The amount of weight Mikko has taken for the Ford team on his shoulders alone. When you consider his 2004 season. You would never have thought he could mature into the driver he is now. He is the exact blueprint JML should follow - starting by being Mikko's number two next year and aiming for a podium on every event.

I think like people say the first rounds are crucial. But for the life of me I can't see Jari-Matti being able to string together a title run. That just does not compute in my brain.

If Loeb or Mikko doesn't get the title I am certain it wont be JML who does get it. With more tarmac events this year my money is on Sordo to join the battle this year - he matured a lot in 2009. If Petter gets a good C4 he'll be up there in the championship too as he has improved consistency, but lost a bit of pace.

All is set for an interesting season again, many different things to follow again.
Mikko has to rise the risk level if he want to fight for the title with Loeb, also Sordo have on paper an upper hand on J-M this year, he can be a threat for Mikko aswell.
Ogier will be faster this year again, but how much, Kimi might surprise on tarmac too, if he stays on the road.
In Sweden it will also be interesting to see how fast the customer Ford is in reality, so many things to wait forward too.

Latvala did what Malcolm Wilson expected of him in Sweden, but I think he will push a little harder in Mexico. :)

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Originally Posted by Langdale Forest

Latvala did what Malcolm Wilson expected of him in Sweden, but I think he will push a little harder in Mexico. :)

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May first rally as a BP Ford Abu Dhabi fan and I must say I am not judging Jarri Latvala on just this one performance, and I think though I am with Simmi on JML in terms of how likely it is he will put together a strong enough run to challenge, I would like to think he will still improve as the season gets on. So I am sort of with you on that.

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Originally Posted by Langdale Forest

Latvala did what Malcolm Wilson expected of him in Sweden, but I think he will push a little harder in Mexico. :)

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No way, he will drive the same way all season, he can only go for the win if something happens to Mikko, that Mikko is nr1 in Ford now means that there is only leftovers now for JM, testing and everything goes on Mikkos terms.

It's not such a bad thing. The lad is in his early 20's and has many years ahead of him to drive as a #1 driver. He does need to settle down and putting some restrictions on him is probably a good thing for a season.

When he was challenging as an equal #1 driver that is when things went wrong, trying to hard. I feel Malcolm has made a good choice here, the bill for repairs last season would have been horrendous!

JML has proved he is fast, everyone knows that, now he just needs to settle down a little and work on consistency while being quick. Sweden was a promising start for him despite telling us he was under pressure to finish and play his role as Mikko's backup.

He is not the first young driver with speed to come out guns blazing and make mistakes, most of the others ended up world champions, just needed someone to tighten the reigns at the right time.

The interesting thing is that Ford under Malcolm's time has never had favoured driver - this is a first time they put pecking order in place.

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Originally Posted by jonkka

The interesting thing is that Ford under Malcolm's time has never had favoured driver - this is a first time they put pecking order in place.

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Latvala role is the same of Hirvonen under Gronholm. Gronholm was first man by Ford.

And McRae was Over Sainz in 2000/2002/2002.