[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[thuGG]

?? Isn't he realistic?

[N.O.T]

How can this be possible...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118233

It is still early but Latvala cannot win the title... he will never be strong mentally to do it... he is still a child in mentallity... sad sad sad...

For Latvala to become champion Ogier has to throw it away... Latvala is nothing.

[Barreis]

Well, my post was ironic...

[AL14]

Latvala won several rallies against two of the best driver ever. I agree he has a mental handicap that makes it very hard to win the title but he's all but nothing.

[stefanvv]

Every year is the same handicap for Latvala first few rallies, later in the season he tries to catch up. But I'm afraid Capito is right again, and this season will be probably the most difficult for him from last few with Neuville & Mikelsen rising. Latvala seem to miss his championship "train".

[Simmi]

Latvala will not win a championship against Ogier in a straight fight. Killer instinct and consistency just is not there. I think we'll see Ogier collect his fifth title and hopefully by then something (maybe Toyota) have shook up the status quo.

[AndyRAC]

Latvala simply isn't consistent enough; and with Ogier around he has to be. We get told he now has his mind sorted. But has he? We still hear him complaining about "no feeling, no rhythm, etc"

This years WRC Title is already Ogier's to lose - which considering we've only had 3 rounds is pretty depressing.

[stefanvv]

Latvala simply isn't consistent enough; and with Ogier around he has to be. We get told he now has his mind sorted. But has he?

May be he had sorted out some issues, but not all of them. Still doesn't know what exactly wants from particular event, and how to get it. Ogier is tough competitor, true, but Latvala probably should isolate from this competition, and drive his own rallies, as much as he can best.
It was silly mistake in Mexico, and more silly excuse from him. This is not the way how to become champion

[AL14]

I agree with stefanvv's analysis but I want to add something more: I think Latvala is simply slower than Ogier. Maybe is just a matter of car. Polo maybe fits better Ogier's driving style. I think Latvala isn't slower than him in general but at the moment, with this car, he is.
Now he is faster only when he is in his day but it can't happen every round. And when he's not in his day he has to push more than he can and he crashes. He wants to win at all costs and it costs him many crashes.
Last year he showed a lot of improvement I hoped it continues this year but it doesn't seems so.

I think the mental problem is due to the fact that he has to be everytime on the limit, which is very demanding on the mental side. Something Ogier doesn't need.
Another cause, but I can be wrong here because I've never driven any rally car, is the fact he didn't learn some discipline in his career because he didn't rise through the ranks, he went into WRC very soon, with some PWRC and half a season in JWRC in the meantime.

[stefanvv]

I agree with stefanvv's analysis but I want to add something more: I think Latvala is simply slower than Ogier. Maybe is just a matter of car. Polo maybe fits better Ogier's driving style. I think Latvala isn't slower than him in general but at the moment, with this car, he is.

That was a problem for him mostly in first year with the Polo - 2013. Last year showed some progress, and one could think he sorted out these issues with the car, but now it seem he is back there again. I don't get it.... Instead of adapting more to the car, which 1 championship contender should do easily, looks like it'll be another year of adaptation. I know it is difficult to fight Ogier, but if You pretend for the crown, You should be able find the weak spots and make the most out of each event. Sometimes it is just not "Your" event, take it easy and think of the next, while gathering some point on the way..... (just like it was in Monte as it seemed)