It wouldn’t have been a WRC round without the rumour mill working overtime.

The biggest rumour of the event was that Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala has signed a two-year deal with Volkswagen, starting in 2013. 

 




The Finn’s Ford contract expires at the end of the season and his manager Timo Jouhki has confirmed discussions with the German firm. Volkswagen has committed to the WRC until the end of 2015, while Ford’s current deal is up next year.

“We have talked to VW and we have talked to Ford. From the discussion I have had with Kris Nissen and Carlos Sainz, they seem to have a good package with the right people and technical details with the car,” Jouhki said.

VW’s outgoing motorsport director Kris Nissen denied a Latvala deal was done, adding: “We still need to fill the second seat, but I am very happy to hear if he is interested in driving for us.”

With Toyota signalling their interest in returning to the WRC in 2014, the championship could soon become a driver’s market once again – something that hasn’t been the case for many years.

Photos: Peter Whitten

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