Wrc Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2013

[Allyc85]

What a nice touch from Msport

[Rasantes]

Bruno Maglhaes livery for Portugal and Azores

[stefanvv]

What a nice touch from Msport

I don't think this would help much

[Andre Oliveira]

Why should VW ask Araujo?

Because he is the best portuguese driver and it could be a marketing move to portuguese fans.

[tommeke_B]

Because he is the best portuguese driver and it could be a marketing move to portuguese fans.

Maybe the best Portuguese driver (I would like to see him in a 207 S2000 against Magalhaes, to prove it, IF he is faster...), but certainly not the best sportsman. Since he lost his place at Mini, he has not been driving anymore... If you give up so quickly you're not getting anywhere.

[MAXLD]

VW could ask Sainz or Armindo to replace Ogier at Fafe

With the Sainz option I agree, his first refuse was "bearable", but with such circumstances I think Carlos should take the wheel even if he didn't drive the car lately (he developed the car, lol, wouldn't be that hard to drive it again).

With Armindo, although he didn't deserve at all what MotorsportItalia did to him, unfortunately I don't see a very good reason for VW to pick him. He's a local and knows the stage well, sure, but he hasn't competed at all in any rally event since the Mini mess, he's always very "cautious" even when there's not a lot to loose (Fafe last year, for example). And if they wanted a local driver, there's plenty of active younger Portuguese drivers with talent and willing for a chance (although not having WRC experience)... but would be a miracle for a team like VW to give the car to any of them. It would be more certain VW to pick a young driver from ERC / WRC2 or something.

Besides, all this is quite "good" to VW, since it's the first time Mikkelsen will enter a championship event with the Polo later this month and he needs all the experience with the car he can get. He'll do double the runs and double the Kms with the car, giving him precious infos to setup the car to gravel stages.

It's just sad that the even looses a big name like Ogier... only Sainz would fit in perfectly considering his popularity and history in that stage. Or Jari-Matti... but that one is still a mystery case for missing the event.

[Andre Oliveira]

Armindo have more experience with WRC than Bruno. Armindo did not drive because it is difficult a portuguese driver have budget (Bruno stopped to). I like the 2 guys, but i see with my eyes years and years of portuguese rallyes, and Armindo are a pure talent and a good development driver. I see him win rallyes and champs with Saxo Kit Car against 4WD cars, and with Mitsubishi Lancer against Miguel Campos, Fernando Peres and others good drivers. Bruno are 3x time champion with S2000 against 1 S2000 (Pascoal) and little oponents.

eWRC-results.com - profile Bruno Magalhães

eWRC-results.com - profile Armindo Araújo

[Zeropt]

And in the end only Mikkelsen will go, great consideration for the thousand of spectators that will be there whating hours (like myselef who will be there from 3 AM...) to see their favorite drivers...

Erased comment from Volkswagen Motorsport Facebook page, i`m guessing they didn`t like what i wroute...

[dimviii]

Erased comment from Volkswagen Motorsport Facebook page, i`m guessing they didn`t like what i wroute...

what did you wrote?

[MAXLD]

Erased comment from Volkswagen Motorsport Facebook page, i`m guessing they didn`t like what i wroute...

Lol, Facebook is for marketing purposes only, no angry opinions allowed.