Ford World Rally Team duo Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila finished seventh at the Rally of Great Britain, the concluding round of the 2009 World Rally Championship, and it was a tough weekend aboard the pair's Ford Focus RS WRC.

After losing time on Friday's first leg due to driveshaft issues which left him with rear-wheel drive only, 24-year-old Latvala fought his way back up the standings and started the final day in eighth position with his sights on a points finish.

However, Latvala slid off the road and down a bank at the finish of the day's second stage in Rheola. Having already crossed the timing beam, he lost no time but his car remained stuck. Spectators manhandled it back onto the road, but the rear right suspension was damaged and he limped through the final two stages.

His perseverance was rewarded as he claimed seventh position overall when fifth-placed Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier crashed out.

"It was a character-building weekend," admitted Latvala.

"I had some technical issues and made a mistake today. At a little jump right at the finish I ended up off the road. Thankfully the British fans are as good as the Finns and they got us back on the road quickly.

"My driving wasn't as good as I hoped here. I came here hoping to fight for victory but it wasn't to be.

"It was a hard season and now I want to forget rallying for a while, concentrate on other things and then get my mind ready for 2010," Latvala concluded.