Early Career
Latvala began his rallying career at a young age, displaying natural talent and speed. He first competed in a rally at the age of 16 in a Ford Escort RS2000. His rapid progress saw him quickly move into more powerful machinery, making his World Rally Championship debut at the 2002 Rally Great Britain, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI.World Rally Championship
Latvala's WRC career spanned nearly two decades, during which he competed for several manufacturer teams and established himself as a consistent front-runner.Stobart VK M-Sport Ford (2006–2007)
After a few years of intermittent WRC appearances and driving for various privateer teams, Latvala joined the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford team for the 2006 season. He impressed with his raw speed and potential, securing several top-ten finishes. In 2007, he continued with Stobart, achieving his first WRC podium finish at the Rally Ireland and finishing a career-best eighth in the drivers' championship.BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team (2008–2012)
His performance with Stobart earned him a promotion to the factory BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team for the 2008 season, partnering with Mikko Hirvonen. At the 2008 Rally Sweden, Latvala achieved his maiden WRC victory, becoming the youngest driver to win a WRC event at 22 years and 313 days old. He remained with Ford for five seasons, securing a total of seven victories and finishing as championship runner-up in 2010. During this period, he was known for his aggressive driving style, which often led to spectacular stage times but also occasional crashes.Volkswagen Motorsport (2013–2016)
In 2013, Latvala made a high-profile move to the newly formed Volkswagen Motorsport team, joining Sébastien Ogier. Despite being overshadowed by Ogier's dominant performance, Latvala consistently challenged for wins and was a crucial part of Volkswagen's four consecutive manufacturers' titles. He achieved nine victories with the team, including his most successful season in 2014 where he won four rallies and finished second in the championship for the second time. His partnership with Ogier was one of the sport's defining rivalries during this era.Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT (2017–2019)
Following Volkswagen's unexpected withdrawal from the WRC at the end of 2016, Latvala joined the returning manufacturer Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT for their debut season in 2017. He played a pivotal role in developing the new Yaris WRC and achieved a surprise second-place finish in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, followed by a victory at Rally Sweden. He finished as championship runner-up for a third time in 2017. He remained with Toyota for three seasons, contributing significantly to their manufacturers' title in 2018.Later Career and Retirement (2020)
Latvala competed in a limited program in 2020 as a privateer, driving a Toyota Yaris WRC at the Rally Sweden and Rally Estonia. He officially retired from full-time WRC competition at the end of the 2020 season.Driving Style
Jari-Matti Latvala was renowned for his exhilarating and aggressive driving style, often characterized by high speed, spectacular car control, and a willingness to push the limits. This approach made him a crowd favorite but also occasionally led to errors and crashes, which he openly acknowledged. Despite these incidents, his raw pace and commitment were undeniable.Team Principal Role
In December 2020, it was announced that Jari-Matti Latvala would take over as the Team Principal for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, succeeding Tommi Mäkinen, starting from the 2021 season. In this role, he oversees the team's operations, strategy, and development, leading them to multiple manufacturers' and drivers' titles (with Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä).Notable Records
- Most WRC starts: 209 (as of 2020)
- Youngest WRC event winner: 22 years, 313 days (2008 Rally Sweden)
- 18 WRC victories
- 3-time WRC Championship runner-up (2010, 2014, 2017)