Toyota GAZOO World Rally Team’s Jari-Matti Latvala has apologised for touching a barrier on last weekend’s Rally de España.
Latvala, who was leader of the event going into the final day of action, damaged his Yaris WRC on the penultimate stage and was forced to drive half of it with a flat tyre after clipping a barrier when he was second overall at the time.
The Finn said on the incident: “Unfortunately, in one corner I turned too quickly and I touched a pillar that was supporting the barrier. It damaged the tyre immediately so we had to drive half the stage with a punctured tyre.”
“I am really sorry for my mistake, but this can happen when you are fighting for every tenth of a second. The result was not what we wanted but I am very happy with the performance this weekend, and I am really looking forward to Australia.”
As well as a puncture, Latvala’s car also suffered wheel damage that made him struggle through the Santa Marina 2 Power Stage, where he finished 23rd and 41.2 seconds slower than teammate and stage winner Ott Tänak. The Finn finished eighth overall on the event itself.
The final round of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship, Kennards Hire Rally Australia, takes place between November 15-18.
