Latvala crash ends VW Corsica test

Volkswagen Motorsport has halted its pre-event test for next week’s Tour de Corse Rallye de France (1 - 4 October) after Jari-Matti Latvala crashed heavily in the opening phase of the squad’s preparations.

The Finn and co-driver Miikka Anttila were unhurt after their Polo R WRC left the road at a tightening left bend and plunged into trees during the second day of their test.

However, the car was too badly damaged to repair and the team cancelled the rest of the test, at which newly-crowned world champion Sébastien Ogier was due to drive for two days and Andreas Mikkelsen for one.

The cancellation will come as a blow to Ogier and Mikkelsen. The Mediterranean island event has not formed part of the WRC since 2008 and the test offered the chance to reacquaint themselves with the twisting abrasive roads.

Ogier, who will be eager to do well at his home event, has never driven a World Rally Car competitively in Corsica. His last appearance there was in 2008 when he finished second in the FIA Junior WRC in a Citroen C2 S1600.

Mikkelsen’s last outing there was in 2012 when he claimed fifth in a Skoda Fabia S2000 en route to winning the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title. He drove a Ford Focus RS WRC in 2007 and 2008.

This was Latvala’s second test in Corsica this year, having completed tyre development work with Michelin there in July.