Quote Originally Posted by Rally Power View Post
It was probably an exception, but Latvala also had a fantastic win last year at Portugal, and the rally had many types of SS’s (from fast to twisted routes, hard to soft surfaces) .

You all pointed important reasons for Latvala’s inconsistency, but there’s another one that’s always used to explain Ogier domination: VW team moves around the French! (as previously Citroen moved around Loeb).

There’s no way Latvala (or any other guy) can be champion in VW alongside Ogier. Latvala knows it, and that’s a huge mental pressure on him. Ogier comment on that brilliant Latvala win was “today the best driver didn’t win…”.

If after Portugal the Finn managed to start a winning series and become a real threat to the ‘numero uno’, things would get pretty ugly inside VW’s and certainly not to the Champ side.

I was hoping to see Latvala’s moving to Toyota and become their undisputed leader, but sadly it seems he’s happy to stay as second driver at VW.
Portugal did had many type of SSs but Lundefaret was referring to changes of grip in the same stage, sometimes in only one corner and on those situation, Latvala has indeed a gap from Ogier. That's why Latvala never shined in Monte for example. When on the contrary he can build a rythm and can predict the grip he can be faster, except very loose gravel rallys like Mexico where Ogier is simply a master. As already said I think he should concentrate on build a solid base of speed also in those situation in order to be more sure of himself and not let his mind fuck him up. (sorry for the language but I don't know how to say it in a more polite way )