Jari-Matti Latvala
A blisteringly fast and spectacularly daring Finnish rally driver who holds the record for most World Rally Championship starts.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Finnish rally driver·Birthday: April 3·Millennials
Biography
Jari-Matti Latvala's name is synonymous with flat-out commitment and heart-stopping spectacle in the World Rally Championship. Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, the Finn quickly earned a reputation for a breathtaking, aggressive style that evoked memories of his hero, Colin McRae. His career was a thrilling rollercoaster of sublime victories—18 in total—and dramatic crashes, a testament to his philosophy of driving on the absolute edge. While the ultimate drivers' championship title eluded him, his consistency and longevity broke records; he became the driver with the most starts in WRC history. After retiring from full-time driving, he seamlessly transitioned into team leadership, taking the helm of Toyota Gazoo Racing and guiding the team to multiple manufacturers' titles. Latvala's story is one of pure, unadulterated speed, transforming wild talent into a respected institutional knowledge.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jari-Matti was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jari-Matti Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Jari-Matti's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved 18 career victories in the World Rally Championship, the most for any driver without a world title.
- Holds the record for the most starts in World Rally Championship history.
- Finished as championship runner-up three times (2010, 2014, 2015).
- Successfully transitioned to Team Principal, leading Toyota Gazoo Racing to WRC manufacturers' titles.
Did You Know?
He made his WRC debut at the age of 17 in the 2002 Rally Great Britain.
His long-time co-driver, Miikka Anttila, partnered with him for over 16 years.
He once rolled his car 11 times during the 2009 Rally Portugal and still managed to finish the stage.
“I always wanted to drive like Colin McRae. Fast and spectacular.”
