Which driver can realistically fight for the Championship?

[SubaruNorway]

Where is the interview?

[itix]

I think he will go to WRX, it's time for him to move up to proper, hard motorsport where he can join all the other amazing drivers and share wins with them.


But what the hell, did Mikkelsen earn 6 million?

I doubt it, that woud be what? A tenth of the budget?

[sollitt]

So at best it's a pointless thread until we know who will be driving what in 2017...

Not entirely.

Of course Ogier will remain the firm favourite, regardless of what he's driving, until someone steps up and produces some competitive results. Talk is cheap.

However it's a different ballgame today than it was just a few weeks ago. The goal posts have moved, not only for those involved with the VW closure, but for everyone who's within chipping distance of title contention.

Next season might be a bit more open than many think.

[Alpha]

SubaruNorway - TV2.
Itix - It's media speculation/guesstimate/insider info. And would include private sponsors in addition to payment from VW.

[RAS007]

He hasn't been so dominant.

DO you mean Ogier hasn't been as dominant as Makinen was, or the other way round?

[Danny0405]

DO you mean Ogier hasn't been as dominant as Makinen was, or the other way round?

Makinen was not as dominant as Ogier, it is quite obvious.
The 1997 and 1998 titles were very hard to obtain, especially the 98 title when Sainz lost the title for 0.3 km in the last stage of the last rallye

[Allez Andruet]

especially the 98 title when Sainz lost the title for 0.3 km in the last stage of the last rallye

Plus the 30+ km road section he still would have had to driven.

[MM WRC]

He hasn't been so dominant.

No, he hasn't. But he ended up somewhere outside top five. Ogier will definitely be in top three, no question about that. But this example just shows that changing car can seriously affect the performance.

[Rally Power]

Mikkelsen did his first interview after the VW exit, today. He's hopeful that he'll land in a good seat on a competitive team. A yearly salary of 6 million usd will probably not happen though.

6 million for Mikkelsen??? If he gets 6, then Latavala must get 10 and Ogier probably 20. All together that should be half of VW’s budget…hard to believe.

[Simmi]

More like 6 million krone?