Although Jari-Matti Latvala’s professional driving career officially concluded following the 2019 season, his passion for intense rally competition remains as fierce as ever. Over recent years, his packed calendar has been heavily dedicated to historic rallies, forcing deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen to step in and manage the team principal duties across a significant portion of the championship rounds.
Latvala has proven virtually unstoppable behind the wheel of his Toyota Celica GT-Four in historic events, while his impressive speed in Finnish Rally Championship rounds has consistently matched the pace of modern machinery. His ongoing love affair with Rally Finland has also yielded strong results, ranging from a cautious fifth overall in a Rally1 Yaris in 2023 to back-to-back strong performances in a Rally2 Yaris throughout 2024 and 2025.
The temptation to return to the pinnacle of world rallying has intensified after Sebastien Ogier recently surpassed Latvala’s long-standing record for WRC starts in Sardinia, pushing his career tally to 214 appearances—just one more than the Finnish veteran. This milestone has naturally sparked speculation about a potential part-time comeback to reclaim the coveted record.
"I will probably still be driving the Celica myself in some historic events," Latvala told DirtFish. "I want to continue that, but the rest is still open." Addressing the motivation behind a possible WRC return, he added, "I had a fantastic feeling driving in Rally Finland with a Rally2 car. Sebastien Ogier has now beaten my record for WRC starts. So of course, it is a bit tempting to try to do a few events and try to get the record back."
Looking ahead at potential outings, Latvala has specifically pinpointed two prominent events on his personal wish list that he is eager to contest if the opportunity arises. "So let’s see what happens. There are a few events I would like to do. I must say that Rally Finland and Rally Scotland are the events I would like to do," Latvala revealed to DirtFish.
A prospective appearance at Rally Scotland carries substantial significance as it brings the championship back to Britain after an eight-year hiatus, hosting top-tier WRC action north of the border for the first time since 1995. Latvala holds deep roots in British rallying, having secured his driving licence there at age 17 before making his unforgettable WRC debut at the Wales Rally in a Mitsubishi Lancer back in 2002.
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