Latvala targets Power Stage push

Jari-Matti Latvala will go all out to win Rally Italia Sardegna’s Power Stage as he attempts to remain in the fight for third place in the final FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ standings.

Latvala, in a factory Ford Fiesta RS WRC, is set to drop behind Ford privateer Mads Ostberg in the title table providing the Norwegian holds position on Sunday’s closing stages.

If Ostberg remains in fourth overall then he will increase his impressive points total for the year to 137 heading to the season finale in Spain next month. Although he will finish outside of the top 10 point-scoring positions in Italy, Latvala can narrow Ostberg’s advantage to three points providing he scores three bonus points for winning the Power Stage with Ostberg fourth or lower in the times.

“My focus is on the Power Stage,” said Latvala, who said his victory on stage 13 has handed him a crucial confidence boost following his exit on Friday morning.

One driver who won’t be pushing to win the Power Stage is event leader Mikko Hirvonen. The Citroen driver said: “I don’t need the points from that stage. I just need to bring the car home safely now and concentrate on winning the rally.”

The Power Stage is the second 8.24-kilometre Gallura test and goes live at 11:00hrs local time.