[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[mousti]

He's time is done, I thought he accepted that.. Maybe he listens to much to Colin Clark who begs to see him back

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[AL14]

Latvala rules out switch to new Toyota WRC programme

Jari-Matti Latvala says he has no intention of departing Volkswagen for Toyota, despite speculation linking him to the Japanese giant's World Rally Championship return.

Toyota is back next season after an absence of nearly two decades, and Latvala was believed to have been in talks with team principal Tommi Makinen.

Latvala insists any discussions with the four-time world champion were purely social.

He will remain with the VW team until the end of 2018.

"At the moment, my plans are with Volkswagen," Latvala told Autosport.

"It's great that Toyota is coming back to the championship, but for 2016, '17 and '18, I'm not thinking of or considering Toyota.

"When you have the championship-winning car, it would always be very, very risky to jump out from that boat."


Latvala's immediate focus will be on halting the dominant run of rally wins and titles his team-mate Sebastien Ogier is enjoying.

The 30-year-old insists he has a plan to take the Frenchman on.

"In the first half of the season I have never been so successful," Latvala said.

"I have usually had to wait for the second half of the year for the rallies where I go well.

"So now I have to play the tactics. And the tactics are to not try to be winning every rally, sometimes I have to take the podium and wait for the second half where I am more suited."

[Simmi]

Interesting. So that implies Latvala already has a contract with VW beyond the end of this season.

I've said it before - but he could line up against Ogier for 10 years in identical machinery and the result will be the same. 2nd place. He just has to hope Seb either gets bored and leaves the sport, or falls out with VW and leaves.

Also when Latvala is tactically not trying to win rallies - who exactly does he think will be winning them? Probably going to be Ogier the guy he's trying to beat.

[RS]

I am surprised Latvala is contracted that long.. what about Mikelssen and Ogier?

[Simmi]

I am surprised Latvala is contracted that long.. what about Mikelssen and Ogier?

Mikkelsen's is again vague. Clearly this is the way VW convey their contracts. Not the only sporting team to be deliberately vague. I don't really see why VW would feel the need to lock Latvala up for that long? I guess they are very happy to have a permanent number 2 driver.

All we know (publicly) is that last year Andreas signed an extension for 'several years'. So that means he at least has a deal in place for 2016 and 2017 - http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/june/...3--12-12-.html

Ogier I think everyone assumed was out of contract after this season. But who knows?

[dodge33cymru]

In fairness, having Latvala with them is much better than having him with one of their rivals. We might knock him compared to Ogier, but he's a fine driver and any of the other teams would benefit from having him as a #1, so makes perfect sense for them to want to keep hold of him.

[Doon]

Hasn't Gronholm been developing the 2017 Polo WRC for a while now? Don't think they have a problem in the development field. The master is getting jealous, because Ogier is making Citroen look like sick dogs.

[Simmi]

In fairness, having Latvala with them is much better than having him with one of their rivals. We might knock him compared to Ogier, but he's a fine driver and any of the other teams would benefit from having him as a #1, so makes perfect sense for them to want to keep hold of him.

Completely agree. Latvala is also not a guy that is ever going to get in Ogier's head. It's a perfect scenario for VW.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen delighted with his Citroen Abu Dhabi chance - only Sweden confirmed so far but he's happy with that ...

[GigiGalliNo1]

I'm surprised no personal sponsors...