MOTORSPORT NEWS Rally

LATVALA SETS SIGHTS ON 2022

The 35-year-old, the series’ most experienced driver, lost his Toyota Gazoo Racing seat at the end of last year, but remains hopeful of a full-time return to the championship when the hybrid cars arrive for the start of 2022.

“I think these [2022] cars will suit my style of driving,” said Latvala. “They are likely to be coming with a little bit less downforce and that means there will be less grip for the car to be straight all the time. When you are driving a little bit more sideways, then this is good for me.

“I’m looking forward to the new regulations and I hope they bring me another couple of years in the WRC. My passion is to stay as long as possible with Toyota – as long as Toyota is there, I want to be there working with them. Will there be a seat available in 2022? It’s too soon to say, but it’s my dream to drive again.”

Latvala is now looking at a limited programme of events for 2021 in a privately funded Toyota Yaris WRC, similar to the one he drove at Rally Sweden this season. In addition to that, he’s considering an entry into the FIA European Historic Championship.

“If I could do some historic events, especially some on Tarmac, I would enjoy that,” he said. “I would use my Toyota Celica GT4 and that, along with some WRC rounds and some events in Finland, that could help to keep me in the moment of driving.”

Source: wrc.com