I've felt for a while now that Tommi is fed up with Latvala's mental capabilities and I just read the latest Motorsport Monday issue, where he said following:
Full articleQuote:
"Asked for his thoughts on a line-up for 2019, Mäkinen said:
The Japanese are here, we will talk for the future. We make the decision together, they have their opinion. Personally, I would like to do something on the driver market, but let's see. The Japanese would like very much for Jari-Matti to continue - he has a good image in Japan. On a good day, Jari-Matti can win, but he needs to concentrate to his own work and forget others. That's the way for him to continue. I know Esapekka is still a young driver and for sure he will improve. He has some experience, but I don't know what we should do to wake him up on Friday. OK, here there was some trouble at the start of the rally, but there's no question about his speed."
That only seems like a confirmation to me, that he'd kick Latvala out, if he could, but the Japanese won't let him.
If Japanese are really that keen to keep Latvala, no matter his results, it raises a question how interested they are in the titles? On some thread, someone told me that after their unsuccessful en-devours in f1 and struggle in WEC(?), they'd do anything to come out on top, including hiring Ogier to the team but that would be in direct conflict with keeping Latvala and his representative image.
In another note, I think what Tommi "would like to do in the driver market" is exactly kicking out Latvala and bringing in Ogier. Mostly because I haven't heard nor seen him discuss with any other driver and because looking at the results, there have not been any outstanding performances from others (for more than 1 event).
