It was an emotional victory for Jari-Matti Latvala, who joined Toyota in the off-season in a last-minute deal after the sudden withdrawal of Volkswagen.

 

Latvala’s win, coupled with second place in the Monte Carlo season-opener, elevates the Finn to the lead in the World Rally Championship. It is the first time anyone other than four-time champion Sébastien Ogier has led the championship since February of 2014.

 

“It’s amazing,” Latvala said. “A new team, a new car, our second rally and we’re winning. I have no words to describe it, I’m so emotional. We’re at a good level but now we go forward and it gets more difficult. Mexico is next up and I’m really motivated for the championship.”

 

After early leader Thierry Neuville crashed his Hyundai, Latvala went into the final leg with a narrow lead over Ott Tänak’s Ford Fiesta. But Latvala dominated all three snow and ice covered speed tests to put the result beyond doubt.

 

Ogier, Tanak’s team-mate at Ford, was third, ahead of Hyundai’s Dani Sordo Craig Breen’s Citroën C3.

 

The WRC circus now leaves the icy conditions of northern Europe for the warmer climes of Central America for the Rally Guanajuato Mexico on March 9-12.