Brother Rally
New Zealand:
five things we
learned

1: Latvala’s speed is not in doubt

Another error behind the wheel of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC might have cost Jari-Matti Latvala a shot at victory in New Zealand but he once again demonstrated his blistering pace, especially with his fastest time through the rally-closing Power Stage.

2: Drivers love New Zealand stages

Even with a modified route for this year’s Rally New Zealand, the country’s stages continued to thrill with event winner Sebastien Loeb particularly praiseworthy: “The roads are beautiful here, so much fun. I love driving here, it’s so fast and flowing.”

3: The future is in safe hands

Ott Tanak might have thrown away an almost certain top-five finish when he rolled into retirement in the closing stages but with fellow young stars Evgeny Novikov and Thierry Neuville impressing in fourth and fifth overall respectively it means the future of the WRC’s driving talent is in good shape.

4: Gambling can pay

Opting to run at the head of the field can lead to dramatic time loss on gravel events. But as Sebastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen and Petter Solberg - who filled the podium having opted to occupy the top three places on the road on day one due to the likelihood of rain compacting the loose surface - there was proof that gambling by running at the head of the field can pay off.

5: Age is no barrier to success

Manfred Stohl might have turned 40 recently but that didn’t stop him from claiming the final FIA World Rally Championship point in New Zealand, despite the gravel event marking his first appearance in the series since Wales Rally GB back in 2007.