Latvala eyes more time behind the wheel

The Finn completed his professional career at the end of the 2019 season and moved into management at the top of 2021 – since when he and Toyota have dominated the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships. The onset of regulation change regarding historic vehicles is something Latvala has been waiting for and when that came last month, he talked of the opportunity to drive one of his favourite Toyotas.

“We have been building the [Toyota] Celica,” Latvala said. “It’s the ST185 (Turbo 4WD) car which we couldn’t use before the change of the rules from the FIA. Now cars are legal up to the year 2000 – this is very good news I think for all the rally fans. 

“Everybody is enjoying the Group A cars and the early World Rally Cars, so to have the chance to drive some more will be nice next season.”

Latvala is, of course, no stranger to modern competition, having tackled the last two Secto Rally Finlands, narrowly missing out on a WRC2 win in August, when he drove a GR Yaris Rally2 to second in class and sixth overall. As well as any potential historic outings, Latvala is always keen to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 and Rally2 as much as possible.

“I think people know me and know how much I love to drive,” he added.