It was Latvala’s second win in Sweden, and it came despite his comfortable lead being slashed when he hit a rogue rock and punctured a tyre with just two more special stages remaining before the finish. Team-mates Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson finished fourth in another Fiesta RS WRC, losing a potential podium position when they hit the same rock, with the same outcome.
It was the 50th world rally win for the Ford / M-Sport partnership since it started in 1997, and Fiesta RS WRCs filled four of the top five places.
Latvala stamped his mark on the rally from the first moment, by setting fastest time in Thursday’s qualifying.  It enabled the 26-year-old to select a start position well down the running order, to obtain better conditions after the loose snow was swept away.
 “Four years ago I won my first world rally here and became the youngest driver to do so,” he said.  “To come back and win for a second time is very special.  After retiring from the first round last month, I was under heavy pressure to do well.  After making a mistake and hitting a rock, I knew I had to summon some extra speed and attack hard through the penultimate stage.
“It feels like a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  I’ve learned to stay calm when things go wrong and that paid dividends today.  I knew Mikko would attack hard this morning so I was wide awake and ready for it.  I had a comfortable lead before everything changed with just two stages to go, but I kept my cool,” he added.
Urged on by his home fans, Solberg held second on the opening day in Norway before a spin cost time.  He ended the leg in third and remained there on Saturday, despite pressure from fellow countryman Mads Østberg.  The duo were separated by just 4.9sec when Solberg clipped the same rock as Latvala and the 37-year-old had to settle for fourth.  However, he claimed bonus points by finishing second on the final Power Stage.
It has been a fantastic rally, says Petter. – Of course, it was very disappointing with the puncture, but there was no way I could avoid it. After that it was too many seconds to get back, so decided to give it all for the Powerstage and to try to get some extra points there. I am very happy Jari-Matti claimed his win, as he also picked up a puncture on the same place.
Ford World Rally Team director Malcolm Wilson was delighted with the landmark victory for the Ford / M-Sport partnership.  “Jari-Matti dominated from start to finish.  We had a scare towards the end.  This morning we were concerned that he drove so fast when he had a big lead, but given what happened this afternoon, it’s a good job he did.  It’s a milestone victory for the team and with the confidence he has in the car, I’m sure there will be more to come,” he said.
The Powerstage were won by Sebastien Loeb, while Petter ended second and got 2 extra points. Latvala came third and got 1 extra point.

Overall classification Rally Sweden 2012
1. Latvala, Ford
2. Hirvonen, Citroën +16,6
3. Østberg, Ford +38,8
4. Petter, Ford +1.14,3
5. Novikov, Ford +2.41,4
6. Loeb, Citroën +2.55,1

We congratulate Ford World Rally Team for the success in Rally Sweden 2012.
Teng Tools – working with winners