Karl Kruuda and Martin Jarveoja - Q&A

Karl Kruuda and co-driver Martin Jarveoja reflect following a dramatic final stage of Rally Sweden, which saw them snatch the WRC2 victory from Jari Ketomaa...

Q:
Karl, congratulations on your first win in WRC 2 which was claimed on the final stage of the event! A very exciting finish! How are you feeling?

Karl Kruuda:
I have to say very good. I have never won a proper event before and for that I am speechless, actually, I couldn't believe it or say the words that I had won. It is incredible.

Q:
You went into the final stage 18 seconds behind Jari Ketomaa, it must have been the drive of your life through the stage?!

Karl Kruuda:
On the road section to the last stage I started thinking second place was better than nothing. I tried to keep the car on the road and thought to myself I would drive as the previous stage before. If something comes it comes if it doesn't then maybe next time.

Q:
What was your reaction? You didn't believe it...

Karl Kruuda:
There's a good reason for not believing I had done it - the guy ahead! Jari Ketomaa was jumping up and down on his car. I said: "No, he has won!" When they said twice or three times then I began to believe it.

Q:
How difficult were conditions out there?

Karl Kruuda:
I have to say, no moments. I had one this day on the first stage but the biggest down we had on the rally was on Thursday when we had driveshaft problems and lost the front differential. Because of that we did a spin and lost around two minutes. The main objective was to keep the car on the road and gather more experience for the future.

Q:
You've started the season with maximum points. How do you feel about the rest of the events?

Karl Kruuda:
Scared. There's still a long way to go and this was the first event. Nothing is finished yet and there are still six events to go before the end of the season so we shouldn't jump too far ahead.

Q:
Did you imagine you could win, Karl?

Karl Kruuda:
I thought the podium was realistic, but if everything went to plan then winning was an option. I didn't want to be cocky.

Q:
Estonia must be happy Karl. What's the response been from friends and family?

Karl Kruuda:
I haven't had the chance to open the phone yet. But it's been always buzzing my pocket - I think it's good!

Q:
Congratulations Martin. What was that final stage like?

Martin Jarveoja:
The feeling is great. Karl made a great stage and... that's all.

Q:
The feeling must be good

Martin Jarveoja:
Of course, it's very good.

Q:
How nervous were you starting the final stage?

Martin Jarveoja:
Actually I am not very nervous, we both weren't very nervous.

Q:
How difficult was this event from a co-driving perspective?

Martin Jarveoja:
Actually for me it was a little bit more easier than two weeks ago when we did the Arctic Rally. There was only white snow there but here there was gravel coming out and we could see the road.