Latvala to fight for Germany podium

Jari-Matti Latvala says he’s determined to reclaim the podium spot he lost on ADAC Rallye Deutschland when he overshot a junction on Saturday’s second stage.

Driving a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Latvala was third overall starting the 9.37-kilometre Peterberg test but has dropped to fifth place after losing more than 30s when he went off the road on the FIA World Rally Championship qualifier.

“I made the car softer for the stage but there was water across the road,” said Latvala. “I hit the water, locked the brakes and the car went straight on. We were stuck on some grass and had to reverse and go forward and backwards before we could finally get going again. It cost us some time but there are three of us fighting for the final podium spot and I’m determined to climb back into the top three.”

Latvala will begin his bid to reclaim third place on the 46.54-kilometre Arena Panzerplatte run, which goes live at 10:52hrs local time. MINI driver Dani Sordo currently occupies the final podium place with Thierry Neuville in fourth for Citroen.