Latvala injured in training fall

Jari-Matti Latvala's challenge for the 2012 WRC Driver's Title has been given a possibly fatal blow after the Finn broke his left collarbone.

Latvala was skiing in the Lapland region of northern part of Finland when he suffered a heavy fall, handing on his left shoulder. He is no stranger to cross-country skiing, being described as “a good and accomplished skier”.

A spokesperson for Ford said: “Cross-country skiing is part of his regular training programme and he’s a good and accomplished skier,” said a Ford spokesperson. “Unfortunately he suffered a heavy fall and has been withdrawn from Rally Argentina to give himself the best possible opportunity to be fit for the Acropolis Rally at the end of May.”

The Finn underwent surgery on Thursday night to insert metal screws into his shoulder to aid the healing process, but the recovery will require rest and as such he has been withdrawn from Philips Rally Argentina. It is thought he should be recovered sufficiently to return to action on the Acropolis Rally towards the end of May.

“My first concern has obviously been Jari and how best to get his situation resolved so it’s right for him. Now we have taken the decision that it’s best for him to miss Argentina so he’s 100 per cent fit for the Acropolis, one of the most difficult rallies in the championship” said Ford WRT boss Malcolm Wilson.

When asked about who would replace Latvala in Argentina, Wilson gave nothing away, but did say that “a driver of Jari's ability is very hard to replace”.

Ford will have no problem in finding a talented replacement, with Rally Portugal winner Mads Ostberg, rapid Estonian Ott Tanak and Norwegian Champion Henning Solberg all available to partner Petter Solberg in the works Fiesta RS WRC.

Petter Solberg will now become No. 1 driver (for Rally Argentina at least) and will most likely be allowed to fight for the win, and a win would move him into a minimum 3 point Driver's Championship lead.