Photo: pinger.pl
After VW announced their intention to enter the world of rallying, with a WRC version of their Polo, we were wondering who they would choose to drive it. Well, now we know one driver, Jari Matti Latvala, who will be joining VW’s WRC effort as of next season.
The Finn will leave his current position at Ford, where he has been for the last five years, and will be joining French driver Sebastian Ogier at VW. The first rally he will attend for his new team will be next year’s Monte Carlo Rally, set to take place between January 15-20.
Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Jost Capito said: “We’re proud and highly pleased to have gained Jari-Matti Latvala for our World Rally Championship project. He’s one of the most distinguished WRC drivers in the field and has experience, aggressiveness and exceptional speed.”
Latvala also seems pleased with the move, being quoted as saying: “I’m very happy to be driving the Polo R WRC in the World Rally Championship in future. The determined approach of the Volkswagen team convinced me to accept this challenge. I’ve taken this decision in order to make another step towards reaching my big aim: the world champion’s title with Volkswagen.”
If he hadn’t agreed to sign with VW, Latavala would have been out of a job for next season, as Ford have announced their official retreat from the sport of rallying for the time being.
Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Jost Capito said: “We’re proud and highly pleased to have gained Jari-Matti Latvala for our World Rally Championship project. He’s one of the most distinguished WRC drivers in the field and has experience, aggressiveness and exceptional speed.”
Latvala also seems pleased with the move, being quoted as saying: “I’m very happy to be driving the Polo R WRC in the World Rally Championship in future. The determined approach of the Volkswagen team convinced me to accept this challenge. I’ve taken this decision in order to make another step towards reaching my big aim: the world champion’s title with Volkswagen.”
If he hadn’t agreed to sign with VW, Latavala would have been out of a job for next season, as Ford have announced their official retreat from the sport of rallying for the time being.
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