WRC Corsica: Latvala praises new foam protection after tree strike
Jari-Matti Latvala has praised the improved side-impact protection on World Rally Championship cars following the crash which ruled him out of the 2018 Tour de Corse on Saturday
The left-hand corner of the Finn's Toyota struck a tree near the end of the second run of the 21-mile Cagnano-Pino-Canari test.
The car was retired from the day, but the FIA has authorised the team's decision to cut out and replace a section of damaged roll cage as part of an attempt to allow Latvala to rejoin the action tomorrow under Rally 2 rules.
Improved side-impact protection was a big part of the new-for-2017 WRC regulations, with the crew moved further inside the car and more energy-absorbing foam placed between them and a possible impact points.
This was the first major test of those new regulations.
"It was a fairly big impact, but you can see now how well the safety foam is working," Latvala told Autosport.
"The foam at the back of the car is pushed in. Sometimes you would come away from this kind of crash and you would feel it in the neck, but this time I really don't feel anything.
"You can really start to say these cars are safe - this is the first time we have seen [the side-impact foam] really tested and it's very good."
After a troubled start to the event, Latvala had picked the pace up following suspension changes that improved the car's performance.
"Before we changed [we] had a car that turned but had no lateral grip," Latvala said.
"Then we opened the [damper] rebound and stiffened the roll bar. For the first time the tyres were biting - the feeling was amazing - and I was really starting to enjoy it.
"I pushed and pushed and the times were really good - we made fastest split times in the stage, but then there was a little bump downhill into the left corner.
"This locked the rear wheel and then the rear snapped and I went sideways to the tree."
Previous article
WRC Corsica: Ogier holds lead as Meeke crashes out of second place
Next article
WRC Tour de Corse: Sebastien Ogier seals victory on Sunday
About this article
| Series | WRC |
| Drivers | Jari-Matti Latvala |
| Author | David Evans |
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021
He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener
Why Britain's continued WRC absence is a wake-up call
OPINION: With Rally GB dropping off the World Rally Championship calendar for the second year in a row, one of Britain's best-attended sporting events faces an uncertain future. It's an unfortunate situation that points to troubling times ahead
