Latvala admitted it was his own mistake that led to the terrifying crash, as he had proceeded to changing the notes of the race just the night before the opening day of the rally.
“It was all my fault. I had the corner marked with a double caution, but the night before, I changed it. I have realized you should never change your notes after the recce. I realised we were going to crash, so I tried to use the Armco to slow the car. But it rolled over it and then it rolled and rolled. I can remember the crashing and the roll cage coming in. I thought: 'We cannot survive this, it's just not stopping.”
“When it did stop, I looked to my co-driver Miikka (Anttila) and his eyes were red and full of blood because we had been upside down so many times. After I checked we were okay, I said: 'Maybe this was our last rally.' I thought I was going to die. It was my biggest accident ever. I have to thank the team and the FIA for saving my life and building such a strong car,” said Latvala.
Latvala was taken to the hospital for further checks, but no major injuries were diagnosed by the doctors. Team manager Malcolm Wilson insisted Latvala should get into the rally car as soon as possible, as it could only help him in the long run.
“That was a shocking accident. I wasn't prepared for what I saw. I couldn't believe the two guys in that car were in my office a couple of hours later. I do believe this accident will change him,” said Wilson.
The next WRC event is schedule April 24th through 26th, in Argentina.
Here's how the crash happened:
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