Latvala replaces Gronholm in Ford WRC team

Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala has been confirmed at the works Ford team for the 2008 World Rally Championship.

The promising 22-year-old replaces two-time world champion and countryman Marcus Gronholm, who retired at the end of last season having failed in his bid to deny Citroen's Sebastien Loeb a fourth successive drivers' crown.

Latvala impressed while driving for the privateer Stobart Ford squad in 2007 and has been rewarded with a seat alongside Mikko Hirvonen in another all-Finnish pairing.

Latvala, who has contested 52 rallies since his debut as a 16-year-old in 2002, claimed his first stage win in Norway in February and later finished third overall in November's Rally Ireland on his way to eighth place in the championship.

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson said of Latvala: "He has gained confidence by the day and has developed into the most promising driver in the WRC this season.

"His performances in the second half of the season put him in pole position for the drive.

"Marcus and Mikko have worked wonderfully together and I hope that Mikko will pass on to Jari-Matti the experience he has learned."