2018 Teams

[mknight]

Carry over from Citroen thread:

Ogier going to Citroen would be a letdown for me.

Since Ogier says he wants to stay at M-Sport it would mean that Ford is not coming back and they didn't get any big sponsor either, that would mean M-Sport goes into "savings/money making" mode like in 2003-2005. So a lineup like Suninen, Evans, Camilli and not much development. With all respect to them they won't be title contenders like that.

In the interview broadcasted on rally radio during NRF, Malcolm said that they can not offer Ogier the "package" he wants at the moment and that he also has to look after his 300 staff economically and can not continue like they did this season.

The Loeb testing story makes me doubt Ogier at Citroen will happen though as I still don't see those two being anywhere near each other.

But if Ogier goes Toyota, it's maybe even worse cause it starts to smell like VW dominance again.

[OldF]

New engine? They're allowed to change engines mid season?

Homologation joker

I doubt that they can homologate a complete engine with a joker.


Citroen explains 2017 engine, pages 44-45: https://issuu.com/hi-techmedia/docs/...e_october_2016

“We can make changes, but some parts of the engine are frozen by the regulations for three years.”





The teams can use three engines during a season per allocated car number.

2017 WRC Sporting Regulations and Appendices (English) - 28.06.2017
http://www.fia.com/file/59144/downlo...token=9rMSotoz

64. MECHANICAL COMPONENTS – MANUFACTURERS' CARS NOMINATED FOR SCORING MANUFACTURERS' POINTS
64.1 LIMITATION OF THE NUMBER OF ENGINES
64.1.1 Each Manufacturer must use no more than 3 engines per seasonally allocated car number for the season (see also Art. 64.2.2).
64.1.2 Each engine will be assigned to a seasonally allocated car number.
64.1.3 A Manufacturer may apply to the FIA for a waiver to use 1 additional engine per team during the year, giving full justification for the request. Once sealed, this engine will be assigned to a seasonally allocated car number.
64.1.4 In the case of engine failure between scrutineering and TC0 it is permitted to replace the engine but a 5-minute penalty will be applied. In this case, the original engine may not be used any further during the season.
64.1.5 At any one time, no more than 3 engines may be sealed per seasonally allocated car number.

[AnttiL]

Well maybe media saying Toyota "has a new engine" means it just has some newly homologated parts?

[racerx1979]

Exactly what I thought. You're not allowed to change engines. Just certain components.

[Daviesalaam]

That was from Latvala Interview before morning stages Day 2

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[AnttiL]

Added Evans to M-Sport lineup in the opening post.

[EstWRC]

this was posted in news thread but i think it belongs here




i think we can assume then that one of the main m-sport drivers is definitely gone and has signed a new deal elsewhere already?


Evans has surprised me a lot this season but im still cautious about him, last year he wasnt convincing against Lappi and Suninen in WRC2 and actually those two were also faster than him in finland. But he has definitely made progress and deserves a seat in WRC.

[mknight]

i think we can assume then that one of the main m-sport drivers is definitely gone and has signed a new deal elsewhere already?

Why? This might mean Evans is going to continue with DMACK exactly the same like this year.

[EstWRC]

of course but i doubt that both Ogier and Tänak will stay too, only if Ford comes back which doesnt seem to be the deal at the moment

[AnttiL]

My first thought was the same as EstWRC's. Why would they want to start reserving third driver seats so early if they are assuming the first and second drivers are going to continue? I'd assume Evans being the second driver next year and Suninen driving for DMack.