Hyundai WRT

[AnttiL]

You mean Mikkelsen was planned to share a seat with Tänak?

No, my guess was that they planned to have Neuville, Breen/Mikkelsen and Sordo/Suninen or something like that, but then they got Lappi for full season.

[flat_right]

That Mikkelsen and Hyundai situation sounds really unprofessional. From both sides.

Teams can decide who will drive for them. Even contracts that have been signed usually include some exit clause. But I don't understand how does this help Mikkelsen if he throws this info out to media NOW. Maybe in a couple of months, when everything has settled down and seats are confirmed, you can "promote" yourself with this kind of info but now? Who wants to work with you now?

[AnttiL]

Teams can decide who will drive for them. Even contracts that have been signed usually include some exit clause. But I don't understand how does this help Mikkelsen if he throws this info out to media NOW. Maybe in a couple of months, when everything has settled down and seats are confirmed, you can "promote" yourself with this kind of info but now? Who wants to work with you now?

He needs to tell everyone he's now a free agent and was almost signed by a works team

[flat_right]

He needs to tell everyone he's now a free agent and was almost signed by a works team

Have Wilson and Millner blocked his number and can't tell privately? Or who else would care?

It has been said many times that Thierry is the one who arranges the drivers in Hyundai. So he didn't/couldn't pick his friend Andreas?

[TWRC]

BTW, do I remember correctly that Mikkelsen wanted to sue Hyundai the last time around he was there, because he was not used on all rounds? After this (if true), I don't think they will ever talk to each other

[seb_sh]

Have Wilson and Millner blocked his number and can't tell privately? Or who else would care?

It has been said many times that Thierry is the one who arranges the drivers in Hyundai. So he didn't/couldn't pick his friend Andreas?

Yes well it's free to say anything, I think the rumors of Thierry being the absolute dictator in Hyundai are maybe a bit exagerated or maybe Andreas forgot Thierry's birthday. Maybe Thierry has influence but doesn't do what he wants. It's all nuance.

[seb_sh]

No, my guess was that they planned to have Neuville, Breen/Mikkelsen and Sordo/Suninen or something like that, but then they got Lappi for full season.

Maybe it was more fluid and evolved as they were talking to people, for example a hypothesis:

After Tanak told them, they startedtalking to everybody and the plan kept changing. The first target was probably Evans but he wasn't interested/had a contract, then they wanted something like you said, Mikkelsen/Breen and Sordo/Suninen but maybe Breen and MSport decided to stick together one more year so then Hyundai ask Lappi but he said he only comes if it's for a full year so they decide he's good enough as number 2 and brings Toyota knowledge. So then they have to pick who shares with Sordo but they already have Suninen there and a mixed schedule fits nicely.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If Lappi has the full season replacing Tanak then nothing should've changed for Mikkelsen (sharing the 3rd car).

Maybe after Tanak left Mikkelsen thought he was on for replacing him and that is what Hyundai weren't in touch about. The part-season may still happen.

[pettersolberg29]

Have Wilson and Millner blocked his number and can't tell privately? Or who else would care?

It has been said many times that Thierry is the one who arranges the drivers in Hyundai. So he didn't/couldn't pick his friend Andreas?

Not sure how strong that friendship is - after all it was Thierry who pushed Andreas out of Hyundai the first time!

[focus206]

Got to love all these conspiracy theories on Neuville deciding who's the next Hyundai driver, kicking out Mikkelsen, being the chief engineer and chief designer and probably the Hyundai CEO in Korea.