Latvala up to third in World Rally Championship

Jari-Matta Latvala has survived a challenging weekend in Poland to move up to third place in the World Rally Championship in his Toyota Yaris WRC.

The Finn was involved in a three-way battle for the lead for the first half of the event until technical problems sidelined him on Saturday afternoon.

He returned for the final four stages on Sunday, claiming the maximum five points for winning the power stage, the last of the event. That has boosted him to third in the world driver’s championship standings.

"It gives me the confidence again that our car is very fast and we can challenge our rivals in the rallies that are coming up,” said Latvala.

The rally on fast narrow farm roads was run in slippery muddy conditions on the first day, which developed deep ruts when they were reused for the second time.

High speed crashes punctuated the action, including Estonian Ott Tanak who was still battling with eventual winner Thierry Neuville on the final morning.

RALLY POLAND, round eight World Rally Championship

1 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) 2h40m46.1s
2 Hayden Paddon/Seb Marshall (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1m23.9s
3 Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +2m20.8s
10 Juho Hänninen/Kaj Lindström (Toyota Yaris WRC) +4m53.7s
20 Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +28m01.0s

2017 FIA World Rally Championship for drivers after round eight:
1 Sebastien Ogier 160
2 Thierry Neuville 149
3 Jari-Matti Latvala 112
4 Ott Tanak 108
5 Dani Sordo 82
6 Elfyn Evans 57
7 Hayden Paddon 51
8 Craig Breen 43
9 Juho Hänninen 30
10 Kris Meeke 27

2017 FIA World Rally Championship for manufacturers after round eight:
1 M-Sport World Rally Team 259
2 Hyundai Motorsport 237
3 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT 153