Ford head tips Latvala for Acropolis joy

Ford team director Malcolm Wilson has tipped Jari-Matti Latvala to mark his return from injury by winning the Acropolis Rally, which gets underway shortly with the first of 22 special stages.

Latvala is still recovering from the broken collarbone he sustained when he fell while cross-country skiing last month. He was second fastest through the Qualifying Stage this morning behind factory Ford team-mate Petter Solberg.

“It’s brilliant for the whole team that he’s back,” said Wilson. “We know it’s a rally he can go really well on. From his test he had no pain, no twinges. He’s relaxed and really chilled. I know he’s playing it down but I think he can go and win the rally, I have every confidence in him.”

The factory Ford team hasn’t tasted outright success since Latvala’s victory on Rally Sweden back in February although Ford privateer Mads Ostberg did triumph on Vodafone Rally de Portugal in early April. Meanwhile, Solberg is a strong contender for the title and currently holds second place in the standings.

“It can look even better but we have to be very happy about this situation because we’re back again, we’ve got a lot of points and we are second in the world championship,” said Solberg. “On this rally it’s more about keeping cool because problems can happen if you are pushing at 110 per cent or 90 per cent.”