Latvala hoping for Ogier woe in title fight

Jari-matti Latvala starts this week’s Rally Argentina hoping to further his Volkswagen team-mate Sebastien Ogier’s miserable run in South America.

The championship-leading Frenchman has never won in Villa Carlos Paz, a record Latvala wants to further on Sunday.

“I don’t think Argentina is one of Seb’s favourite rallies,” Latvala told MN. “I know he will be very determined this week, he’s so competitive and he will want to win again after missing [out on the win] in Mexico, where he is always strong.”

Latvala edged Ogier last time out in Leon to narrow his deficit to the world champion to 50 points – this time last year he was 62 behind.

“I have a better feeling for Argentina,” said Latvala. “Mexico has been difficult for me in the past. I have to do what I can, but basically I’m not so worried about Seb.”

If it stays dry, Ogier will face a tough task to take his first South American win in seven starts.

“I will do my best to improve my record and win here for the first time,” said Ogier, who has been second twice and lost his chance to fight for the win with a first-stage engine problem aboard his Polo R WRC last season. “This is the only rally we’ve done on the calendar that I haven’t won, it would be nice to put that right.”