Toyota announces WRC plans

[rp]

Did he say that yesterday? Some time ago, he said about 2 years contract for Hanninen.

Yes, but Tommi said also that all the contracts are "flexiple". Both the team and the drivers are able to negotiate what they will do for the season 2018.

He said also that they are looking for the future and I would be rather sure that Lappi´s contract must be longer and who knows what is the situation with Suninen and Rovanperä

[A FONDO]

How much enthusiasm!!!
Look at Latvala's face. lol

The only happy is Makinen

codrivers are also happy, cause they're passengers anyway, but drivers are so worried having to drive that car, already knowing what downtime it's going to be.

[COD]

codrivers are also happy, cause they're passengers anyway, but drivers are so worried having to drive that car, already knowing what downtime it's going to be.

Mäkinen is happy, because he has tested it and thinks it is good. Only problem is, that when a faster driver drives it, suspension doesn't work anymore

[dupanton]

I think also Citroen is on par with Finnish boys.
For Hanninen there will be no excuse of not knowing or feeling the car. He has to deliver results straight away or will be out of WRC for good. Young gun Sunninen is waiting in the queue.

Meeke is faster then Latvala, both aren't super reliable.
Breen is better then Hanninen, Hanninen hasn't been competing for years.
Lefebvre is on the level of Lappi I think. Less talented but more experience, should be quite equal.

[tommeke_B]

Breen better than Hänninen? Seriously? Hänninen hasn't been competing for a few years indeed... When he was in the Hyundai i20 WRC he had a lot of issues and some crashes, but when things went well he was setting better stage-times than Neuville.

[dupanton]

Breen better than Hänninen? Seriously? Hänninen hasn't been competing for a few years indeed... When he was in the Hyundai i20 WRC he had a lot of issues and some crashes, but when things went well he was setting better stage-times than Neuville.

Yes, seriously. Based on Breens results this year and the lack of competition of Hanninen, I rate Breen higher then Hanninen.

[Marcco]

Mäkinen is happy, because he has tested it and thinks it is good. Only problem is, that when a faster driver drives it, suspension doesn't work anymore

The more I hear bashing like this - the more I want Toyota to succeed.
Seriously, why are you so negative about it? Yes, I know Yaris is built in a farm of Makinen… but from another point of view it looks quite good:
It has backing from Toyota
It has sponsor
It looks nice (!)
It looks quite good on recent tests (remember Hyundai in 2014)
It’s drivers lineup looks like this:
One IRC and S-WRC champion who never had proper chance to shine in WRC (and did a lot of testing in Yaris)
One fast guy who has 16 WRC wins under his belt (okay, he might not be next WRC champion, but he definitely can show Yaris potential)
One young gun

For me, all of it looks quite nice! I wish all the best for them!

[spyros]

The more I hear bashing like this - the more I want Toyota to succeed.
Seriously, why are you so negative about it? Yes, I know Yaris is built in a farm of Makinen… but from another point of view it looks quite good:
It has backing from Toyota
It has sponsor
It looks nice (!)
It looks quite good on recent tests (remember Hyundai in 2014)
It’s drivers lineup looks like this:
One IRC and S-WRC champion who never had proper chance to shine in WRC (and did a lot of testing in Yaris)
One fast guy who has 16 WRC wins under his belt (okay, he might not be next WRC champion, but he definitely can show Yaris potential)
One young gun

For me, all of it looks quite nice! I wish all the best for them!

well said mate i totally agree.
I remember when Colin joins Ford back in 1999 the relibiality problems they had and i think that this is the case next year,not for Fiesta but for all cars.
C3 will be the more reliable car.

[A FONDO]

Guys, stop saying how poor was Hyundai at the beginning! It's totally incomparable. Don't you have an idea of their recources and infrastructure?! From the very beginning they showed not only high ambitions but also determination to achieve them. That's why so many professionals went there without doubt. And in 2016 they were "working" even more than VW. What do we have in Finland at the same time - one old man who has a hobby to drive rally cars at safe pace and hates anyone else's opinions! Only facility upgrade to meet WRT demands is one external toilet. Sorry but the bashing they get here is at the bare minimum. Of course it's better to have them rather than not, do not get me wrong.

[Essaj]

Guys, stop saying how poor was Hyundai at the beginning! It's totally incomparable. Don't you have an idea of their recources and infrastructure?! From the very beginning they showed not only high ambitions but also determination to achieve them. That's why so many professionals went there without doubt. And in 2016 they were "working" even more than VW. What do we have in Finland at the same time - one old man who has a hobby to drive rally cars at safe pace and hates anyone else's opinions! Only facility upgrade to meet WRT demands is one external toilet. Sorry but the bashing they get here is at the bare minimum. Of course it's better to have them rather than not, do not get me wrong.

Seriously I don't get people like you, how is Mäkinen any different than Malcolm? both are ex drivers, they also have their facilities at bulding that was not ment to be WRC factory from get go and are you saying that TGR guys arent working their butts off to make the car as good as possible? How can you say that Mäkinen hates opinions from others? Have you seen what they have already done and at the moment doing to their current place in Puuppola? it's seems to be bit more than just one toilet.
Fact is Hyundai was poor at beginning, just like we all expect Toyota to be but I have faith in them.