[WRC] News & Rumours (part V) 2017

[Gregor-y]

I would think US events are a poor location to announce a return to WRC. Only a handful of Audi and Subaru owners would get it.

[steve.mandzij]

What?? Ogier’s year may not have been as polished or straightforward as some of his other WDCs, but he still beat all the other drivers by collecting more points. The prize is ‘Driver of the year’ not ‘most improved’ or ‘least regressed’.

As Ogier once said, "it's not the best man who is winning" all the time. WDC does not equate to the best driver overall in a season. Maybe the quickest and most deserving driver had to retire from events due to failures out of his control, consequently losing a championship he deserved...

Not referencing anybody in particular...

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[N.O.T]

Ford always uses the birmingham auto-sport International for any announcements...

[ToughMac]

Ford always uses the birmingham auto-sport International for any announcements...

Surely you mean M-Sport?

[AnttiL]

Ford always uses the birmingham auto-sport International for any announcements...

That is in January, two weeks before Monte Carlo Rally.

[journeyman racer]

I would've thought that winning this year's championship had actually validated Ogier's skill as a driver and character as a competitor more than the 13-16 titles?

In those years. The VW was the best car. It's not to diminish him because if it. It's just it's undeniable that you get greater value for your effort in the best car, and it's not really that bad when you haven't put in on the bad days.

So to then come in and knock off the title. Not only driving for a smaller, private team. But with what seems to be perennial losers in M-Sport. I would've thought was an extremely impressive accomplishment, and validated Ogier just as much (if not, more) than winning 9 titles in the best car?

As far as Neuville is concerned? My impression is that he may've suffered from a lack of experience? In that while he's finished 2nd twice before. This year is the first year he's been a serious title contender. It was right there for him to get. That is a different context to participate than just being there and being able to drive as fast as a multiple champion. This season should do him good in future seasons when in a similar position. (I think Nico Rosberg had a similar problem in 2014?)

So yeah. Fwiw.

[tomhlord]

Surely you mean M-Sport?

They have no clue what they mean.

[Gregor-y]

Ford always uses the birmingham auto-sport International for any announcements...

That is in January, two weeks before Monte Carlo Rally.

That would seem late, but if the money and R&D is already put up for 2018 one can't complain.

[denkimi]

I would've thought that winning this year's championship had actually validated Ogier's skill as a driver and character as a competitor more than the 13-16 titles?

in his early days ogier tried to win every single stage and every single rally. nowadays he seems to go just for the title, and no longer tries to be the fastest everywhere.

in 2013 he won 110 stages, in 2016 72, this year only 22.

[SubaruNorway]

in his early days ogier tried to win every single stage and every single rally. nowadays he seems to go just for the title, and no longer tries to be the fastest everywhere.

in 2013 he won 110 stages, in 2016 72, this year only 22.

Some credit to Ogier not being so superior as before must go to WRC+ with everyone being able to study him and the stages.