Latvala land heavy on his left shoulder in Finland during training for the rally. Latvala training in a cross-country skiing when he down on the ground and broke his collarbone in the left shoulder. The incident cost his to miss Rally Argentine this month.
Ford spokesperson said: “Cross-country skiing is part of his regular training programme and he’s a good and accomplished skier. Unfortunately he suffered a heavy fall and has been withdrawn from Rally Argentina to give himself the best possible opportunity to be fit for the Acropolis Rally at the end of May.”
Ford World Rally Team will replace Latvala but still no name is available.
Sebastien Loeb miss few rallies the prior year when he broken his hand by the same way in bicycle downhill.
Latvala currently is sixth in the overall standing with 28 points as the chances to battle for the world title down significantly.
 

Mikko Hirvonen have been excluded from the results of Vodafone Rally de Portugal. The victory is for Mads Ostberg.
A report prepared by the FIA Technical Delegate issued to the event stewards stated the car’s clutch was “not in conformity with the Homologation Form A5733.”
The report also stated “the turbo (turbine wheel) fitted to car No. 2 appears not to be in conformity”. However, a stewards’ decision on this matter has been delayed pending the outcome of further examination and reports.

Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroen Racing technical director and deputy team principal, said: “The scrutineers identified differences between the homologation sheet and two components: the clutch and the turbocharger. The Citroen DS3 WRC’s clutch mechanisms are homologated with lightening holes. Our supplier recently provided us with a batch of parts that were not perforated and one of them was fitted to the No.2 DS3 WRC [of Hirvonen]. These parts don’t provide any gain in terms of performance, as they are heavier than those, which are homologated. Regarding the turbocharger, which is a standard part on all World Rally Cars, the wheel turbine dimension exceed the maximum authorised. This difference comes from dilatation, as the wheel is subject to extreme temperature and rpm factors.”
Matton, the Citroen team principal, added: “We had no intention whatsoever to cheat and the decision appears out of proportion. Given the fact that the reported differences didn’t bring us any advantage, we’ve decided to appeal. At the moment, most of all I feel sorry for Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, who produced a superb performance on a particularly difficult rally. They really deserved their first win with us. All I can do, on behalf of the entire team, is offer my sincere apologies for this situation. I hope that Mikko and Jarmo will have the chance to top the podium again very soon.”

In the general classification first is Mads Ostberg second place for Evgeny Novikov and third for Petter Solberg.
In the championship standing Sebastien Loeb continue to lead with 66 pts followed by Petter Solberg with 62 pts.
 

The Finland man win the rally in an absent of the major competitors Sebastien Loeb and Jari-Matti Latvala who crash in the first and second day of the rally. Mikko lead all the time after the second day as drive in safety to the final stage. Petter Solberg and Dani Sordo won most of the stages but the both has problems during the rally that do not allow him to battle for the first place. Petter reach to fourth position as even has a chance for podium place due too Novikov problems with the car in SS 20 with a throttle cable.
Rally Portugal 2012 was very difficult rally for all teams due too very bad weather conditions, fog, rain, mud and slippery roads. The weather conditions push the organisers to cancel 3 stages.
In SS 21 Santana de Serra 2 (31.04 kilometres), a stage before the Power stage Mini is in big troubles. Patrik Sandell has retired as he gone off the road.
In the same stage Sordo and Araujo with a Mini also are in a trouble.
Sordo said: “I had a spin at a junction and hit a small bank. I got a puncture after this and had to stop and change the rear left wheel.”
Araujo said: “I had a puncture on the front and had to stop and change the wheel.”
Latvala win SS 21 in a crazy rally with 23.4 seconds faster than a second in the stage Petter Solberg.
Latvala says: “In some places, it was a bit slippery especially at the beginning. I tried to save the tyres for the Power Stage. There were some showers but short, mainly at the end of the stage.”
Solberg said: “It was very heavy rain and the stage is muddy and slippery. I drove the whole stage very cautiously.”
Thierry Neuville completed the stage with a front-right puncture as Nasser Al Attiyah also finished the stage with a puncture.
Evgeny Novikov recovers the throttle problem and keeps the last podium position.
Overall results:
1. M. Hirvonen 4:19:24.3
2. M. Ostberg +1:51.8
3. E. Novikov +3:25.0
4. P. Solberg +3:47.4
5. N. Al Attiyah +7:57.6
6. M. Prokop +8:01.0
7. D. Kuipers +8:39.1
8. S. Ogier +9:00.8

Daniel Sordo remains 12th as Latvala finished the rally at 14th position.

Power Stage Results:
1. D. Sordo 3:10.4
2. J. Latvala +0.3
3. O. Tanak +2.1