He was able to limp to the end, but had to retire from the leg as a result and while he did re-start on Sunday in his Polo R WRC, he was now well down, eventually finishing 15th and scoring zero points for the second event in succession.
It means he is now 62 points behind Ogier in the Drivers’ Championship and although the season is young – with ten rounds remaining – it is nonetheless a big gap to make up.
“All in all, the weekend obviously did not go to plan,” Latvala lamented. “I had hoped for more from my starting position, and did not manage to establish a rhythm over the course of the weekend.
“I tried to put as much pressure as possible on Ogier, which meant driving at the limit. My rally was over once I damaged the suspension.
“Fortunately I have a break now and have time to forget about the disappointing start to the season. I need to find my rhythm and then attack again in Argentina.”
Writing on his official Facebook page – and in a change to his attitude 24 hours earlier, when he admitted his title chances “look bad” – he added: “Disappointments are part of the sport but when you take them in right way you become stronger.
“[The] season [is] still long and is not over after three rallies so I will fight back! #NeverGiveUp #ThanksForYourSupport.”