Latvala Takes Gronholm's Seat At Ford

Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland's pride, will take the seat of Marcus Gronholm at Ford's main team in the upcoming season, the company announced Sunday.

Latvala, 22, looks forward to having a nice season in 2008. The Finn will be racing with teammate Mikko Hirvonen, with Ford keeping an all-Finnish lineup.

Hirvonen will become the team's lead driver, according to Reuters. "He (Latvala) has gained confidence by the day and has developed into the most promising driver in the WRC this season," said Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson in a statement. "His performances on the second half of the season put him in pole position for the drive. Marcus and Mikko have worked wonderfully together and I hope that Mikko will pass on to Jari-Matti the experience he has learned," he added.

What does the Blue Oval team has to say?

"The man who so convincingly kept the BP-Ford team at the top of the leader board throughout the year is Marcus Grönholm. We couldn't have won 'two in a row' without Marcus and Timo delivering results so consistently. We're really fortunate to have had them both on the team, and we're proud of what they have achieved for Ford. Marcus and Timo have been one of the sport's most successful pairings of all time - in fact their 30 victories have earned Marcus second place on the list for all-time rally wins. Such is Marcus' standing in the sport that we did not want to lose him entirely from our team. We are asking Marcus to take an ambassadorial role for Ford of Europe next year," said Lewis Booth, Vice Chairman for Ford of Europe.

"Ford of Europe is planning for a long-term success in the WRC. Our young but experienced team, with Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, is a clear statement of intent. We believe these two young Finns will become stars of the sport and we're delighted to offer them the opportunity to grow and develop with Ford over the next few season, while providing all-important stability and consistency within the team," said Ian Slater, Vice President Communications of Ford of Europe.

Slater added: "Jari-Matti is only 22, but already he has started more than 50 WRC events and his level of experience is higher than many older drivers. He has developed greatly under Malcolm's guidance in a privately-entered Focus RS World Rally Car during the past two seasons. Towards the end of the 2007 season Jari-Matti has shown he is ready to step up to a full works drive: witness his outstanding third place in Rally Ireland last month. They will debut for us in January's Monte Carlo Rally."

"With this incredible car and team we look forward for a 2008 full of successes," concluded Mark Deans, Ford of Europe's new Motorsport Director.

For sure, Ford will let me forget about Acura Integra alternator. It means more racing action…as always!

credit: Yahoo Eurosport