13/9/2010
BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila claimed a battling podium finish in Rally Japan after an exciting four-car fight for victory.

The Finns were leading until a mechanical problem and a spin dropped them to fifth. But they recovered well on the final leg to finish third in their Focus RS World Rally Car. 

Team-mates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen were also left ruing what might have been. They started the third and final leg just 3.7sec from the lead.  However, difficulties with the hydraulic pump in their Focus RS WRC cost the Finns time throughout the day and they eventually finished sixth.  The Ford duo won seven speed tests, Latvala claiming four wins and Hirvonen three.

"It's been a strange weekend," said Latvala.  "On Friday I was a little off the pace initially but I climbed back to lead.  Then I dropped back and I thought my chances of a good result had gone, but now I'm on the podium.  After all that I have to be happy to finish third, even if I'm surprised.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson said the result wasn't what he had hoped, but he was heartened by the pace of both drivers.  "Jari-Matti's performance was outstanding.  I'm upset about his driveshaft failure because it cost a win.  It was encouraging to see Mikko back in the battle with fastest times and both displayed pace that, with better luck, could have brought a win," he said.

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