Ott Tänak - Future champion?

[cali]

Like till the end of first stage in Mexico?

Why only Mexico? You're too impatient

[sollitt]

Where are the people who said Tanak should be in the official Ford team now?

I was one who suggested Tanak was an exciting young prospect in contrast to Petter's being past his use by date. I'm still here and not sure than anything we've seen necessarily alters that view. Petter has picked up one podium (albeit 3 minutes in arrears) and one near miss in two specialist events he could've been expected to do well at. The season is young .... and the gravel is coming.

[tfp]

The season is young .... and the gravel is coming.

This can mean only good news for Petter IMO!

[pettersolberg29]

I was one who suggested Tanak was an exciting young prospect in contrast to Petter's being past his use by date. I'm still here and not sure than anything we've seen necessarily alters that view. Petter has picked up one podium (albeit 3 minutes in arrears) and one near miss in two specialist events he could've been expected to do well at. The season is young .... and the gravel is coming.

So if you were Malcolm Wilson would you replace Petter with Ott now if you could? Petter came 3rd and won 4 stages in by far and away his weakest rally (not one he's expected to do well in at all), and would have come 3rd in Sweden if not for a stray rock, beating Loeb and Ostberg, a guy who almost won the rally last year. Sweden has never been very strong for Petter, and he has had only 2 days in the car on snow before the event! To say Petter could have been expected to do well so far is wrong - this is his best ever return from the first two events of a season ever! Tanak meanwhile has shown very little pace bar one stage in Sweden and has crashed a couple of times already! With gravel coming I can only see Petter increase the gap to Ott and push on for wins and podiums. Yes, Tanak is the better long-term option but for anyone to suggest he was a better option for 2012 is a little bit naive in my opinion.

[Plan9]

Also his team mate has had some good results so far...

[sollitt]

I am believer of the adage that "you make your own luck", however I do think that Petter's results this season have, to some degree, come on the back of others failings.
As for how he fares on the gravel, time will tell. I have always been a fan of Petter and am happy to stand corrected.

[cali]

Take it easy, anyone who thought that Tänak was better suited for the second seat at Ford was either fanboy or out of their minds. It's too early and lack of experience has been evident on last rallyes.

[sollitt]

Calm down Cali, we had this debate some months ago and nobody will recall who said what. I've just answered PS29's challenge to those who liked Tanak during that debate. No one else has been brave to do so. Let's keep the personal **** to yourself. Last season Tanak showed very strong ability and there are many who believe the sport needsexciting new blood for a shakeup ... that is all.

[Karukera]

but his closest opponent, who started the event after dark was declared winner.

Sure but the other side of the story is that Bernardi was younger and the jury found him more mature and consistent for the Volant Peugeot 106 drive.

Googling the web or the press in his language will show that the official story is unanimously reported by witnesses, journalists or people actually involved in the sport at that time.

Interestingly, this is where his Rally time begins.

Now back to Ott Tänak.

[Viking]

So Loeb from starting with rally - Champion.......... 9 years plan

Let us give these youngsters some time to shine