Latvala fastest at France shakedown

Jari-Matti Latvala began his quest for a maiden WRC asphalt victory in perfect style when he was fastest in shakedown at Rallye de France-Alsace on Thursday morning (2 October).

The Finn was quickest through the 3.80km Hautepierre Parc des Sports test next to the Strasbourg service park by 1.2sec in a Volkswagen Polo R.

Kris Meeke was second in a Citroen DS3, with championship leader Sébastien Ogier’s Polo R and Dani Sordo’s Hyundai i20 tying for third, a further 0.5sec behind.

Latvala set the pace throughout the morning and posted the fastest time on his fourth and final run over the tight and twisty service roads around the sports and leisure complex.

“I struggled a little in the test with understeer and was a bit worried how the car would be in shakedown, but on the first run it felt really good,” said Latvala. “We made a couple of changes to the set-up and I felt it was getting even better so now I have a good feeling.”

The Finn has made no secret of his desire to win on asphalt but missed out at August’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland when he crashed out of the lead on the final morning.

“My dream is to win an asphalt rally and I was so close at Rallye Deutschland. But I was against myself and didn’t do it, so we’ll try to carry on and work on that over here.

“If we can win, the victory would help in the drivers’ championship but I’m not thinking about that so much anymore. My chances are not the greatest and Seb, with a smart drive, doesn’t need to take risks,” he added.

The top 10 shakedown times were:

1. Jari-Matti Latvala 2min 36.0sec
2. Kris Meeke 2min 37.2sec
3= Sebastien Ogier 2min 37.7sec
3= Dani Sordo 2min 37.7sec
5. Andreas Mikkelsen 2min 39.1sec
6. Thierry Neuville 2min 39.3sec
7. Mads Ostberg 2min 39.5sec
8. Robert Kubica 2min 39.6sec
9. Yuriy Protasov 2min 42.0sec
10. Elfyn Evans 2min 42.1sec