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Latvala very happy with his season

New BP Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala says that he exceeded his own expectations during the 2007 season

The Finnish driver finished eighth in this year's championship with the Stobart Ford team, but his performances through the season were good enough to convince Ford to sign him to replace Marcus Gronholm in their top team.

"It has been a great year for me and the team," said the 22-year-old. "I set myself some goals and have achieved more than I thought so it really has been quite fantastic.

"Prior to this year my best result was fourth place so for 2007 I wanted to do better, and in Ireland we achieved this by finishing on the podium."

Latvala said that his maiden WRC podium was one of five highlights for him during 2007.

"For me there have been five things that really stand out," he added. "My first ever fastest stage time came in Norway and then in Sardinia I led a WRC event for the first time.

"The third was in Germany when I got my first Tarmac point, this meant a lot as I have had lots of accidents on Tarmac in the past.

"Fourth was the podium in Ireland, and the fifth was Rally GB and winning more than half the stages in the rally. This is something I didn't think I could achieve so early in my career."

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