Latvala delayed by engine problem
| By Matt Beer |
Saturday, March 1st 2008, 21:53 GMT |
 Jari-Matti Latvala's challenge for Rally Mexico victory appears to have ended after a loss of turbo boost cost the Ford driver two minutes in SS13 and SS14.
The Swedish Rally winner had lost the lead to Loeb while running first on the dusty roads during this morning's loop of stages. However, he remained in a close second place and could potentially have fought back when Loeb was at the head of the running order on Sunday.
But just after the start of SS13 Latvala's Ford lost power and his pace slowed.
"It seems that we had a problem with the pipe connection between the intercooler and the turbo," Latvala said. "The pipe is broken and is leaking, so that's why we don't have the turbo boost. We have some, but not much, and that's why we've lost a lot of time."
Latvala lost a minute to Loeb in the Duarte stage and a further 46 seconds in the following Derramadero stage, dropping him to third behind Subaru's Chris Atkinson.
"I think second will be lost because we are losing so much time in these stages, but if we can finish on the podium in this rally now that will be perfect," said the Finn.
Ford have had a difficult afternoon, with Latvala's dramas coming one stage after his teammate Mikko Hirvonen sustained two punctures - costing him nearly three minutes and allowing Stobart Ford's Henning Solberg to pass him for fourth.
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