[WRC] Neste Rally Finland 1st-4th August 2019

[AnttiL]

Yeah, the forecasts will change during the week. But the Friday weather is the crucial one. The slightest amount of dampness would help Tänak, but as of now it seems there's nothing available.

[er88]

Doubt it matters Ott starting 1st, I'd be surprised if he doesn't win the event regardless. Although the cleaning can/will make a difference, it's not as bad as certain other events and we've seen Ott cope remarkably well with the cleaning effects this year anyway.

Only way I can see him even challenged is if Jari comes with a good mentality, makes no mistakes and has a brilliant Friday. Or maybe Suninen as an outside bet.
I would've put Meeke in that mix as well, but him not being there last year (when the route changed massively from previous years) will probably harm his chances.

[Allez Andruet]

The question is, how much would Tänak have to lose on Friday not to win the rally? I think that gap of even 25-30 secs would be fine for him after Friday. No-one's safe from the superman.

[Tauri_J]

https://youtu.be/EzlUr2nmQM0?t=60

Which stage? Thanks

[Luis Pacheco]

First jump is Paijala stage few km before the "famous" curve.

[AnttiL]

Looks dry now though

Now shows rain for Sunday again

[AnttiL]

Doubt it matters Ott starting 1st, I'd be surprised if he doesn't win the event regardless. Although the cleaning can/will make a difference, it's not as bad as certain other events and we've seen Ott cope remarkably well with the cleaning effects this year anyway.

Only way I can see him even challenged is if Jari comes with a good mentality, makes no mistakes and has a brilliant Friday. Or maybe Suninen as an outside bet.
I would've put Meeke in that mix as well, but him not being there last year (when the route changed massively from previous years) will probably harm his chances.

I could see Tänak being in the top 5 after cleaning the road on Friday, then having a better road position for Saturday and winning all the stages, like in Sardegna. I see Latvala as Tänak's biggest challenger, with a great road position on Friday. Will Mäkinen issue team orders?

Also one interesting thing about Latvala: now he starts so late that he will hear Ott's end of the stage comments and hear the times before starting the stages himself. It will be important for him mentally.

[er88]

Will Mäkinen issue team orders?

Yes and no imo. I don't think Makinen will intervene during the rally, but reckon after the rally is finished Jari could be ordered to check in late to the final time control or something (if he beats Tanak). That way Jari still has the feeling of winning the event on the stages, but Tanak gets the 25pts.

Makinen hasn't issued many team orders in the past iirc? And in Portugal it sounded from what Meeke was saying on Sunday morning, it was going to be sorted out after the final stage if he had managed to overhaul Tanak.

[Allez Andruet]

Will Mäkinen issue team orders?

Hell no. And if he ever was to, it won't be in Finland. No matter what.

[pantealex]

Hell no. And if he ever was to, it won't be in Finland. No matter what.

I also believe in this. Japanise mentality is against it.