[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[USER47]

It looks like Latvala has differently positioned camera than the others. The lines may very well be almost the same, maybe with Paddon cutting a bit more.

[seb_sh]

Yep it's very hard to tell and while Latvala does sometimes cause himself grief oftentimes, I don't think he can be blamed for this one.

[Kielder]

After the victory of Paddon in Argentina, I analyzed the eras of Loeb and Ogier to see the drivers that have achieved their first victory these years. These are the results:

· OGIER'S ERA:
2016: Paddon (Argentina).
2015: Meeke (Argentina) and Mikkelsen (Catalunya).
2014: Neuville (Germany).
2013: Sordo (Germany).

· LOEB'S ERA:
2012: Ostberg (Portugal).
2011: -
2010: Ogier (Portugal).
2009: -
2008: Latvala (Sweden).
2007: -
2006: Hirvonen (Australia).
2005: Duval (Australia).
2004: -

From these data many issues can be deduced at first glance. To me, the most revealing fact is that of these ten drivers, seven of them have been unable to win a second rally. In addition, in the years of Loeb, Latvala and Ogier managed to poke his head, achieving multiple wins (what's more, obviously, founding Ogier a new era). On the other hand, it's curious (although clearly not definitive), that all those who have won their first rally during these four years of Ogier's freehold have failed to repeat.

There are also many conclusions. The main one, as was evident before writing this post, is that specialists have disappeared (I really miss them...). The Championship hasn't had neither many wheels free nor the needed patience with some drivers too. The positive part of this story is that while during the nine years of Loeb only five drivers have won their first rally, during the last four with Ogier we have seen the identical amount of them doing the same. Saying it with other words, these four seasons someone has "appeared". However, the downside is that it's difficult to find in any of them a rival for Ogier. At least, what I hope is that there will be, in the short term, irruptions like Paddon and not re-occur circumstances for such drivers as Solberg staying seven years in the elite without winning anything (2006-2012) or Sordo spending a decade as official driver having risen to the top of the podium only once.

Finally, I have to say that it's better not to search what happened prior to 2004, because if we analyze that it's better that the "shootout" arrives to end everything once and for all.

[Barreis]

Duval won in 2005...

[Kielder]

Duval won in 2005...

My mistake writing the year, it's corrected now. Thanks!

[stefanvv]

There are also many conclusions. The main one, as was evident before writing this post, is that specialists have disappeared (I really miss them...). The Championship hasn't had neither many wheels free nor the needed patience with some drivers too. The positive part of this story is that while during the nine years of Loeb only five drivers have won their first rally, during the last four with Ogier we have seen the identical amount of them doing the same. Saying it with other words, these four seasons someone has "appeared". However, the downside is that it's difficult to find in any of them a rival for Ogier. At least, what I hope is that there will be, in the short term, irruptions like Paddon and not re-occur circumstances for such drivers as Solberg staying seven years in the elite without winning anything (2006-2012) or Sordo spending a decade as official driver having risen to the top of the podium only once.

Interesting analysis, however in Ogier's era we have now double teams comparing to Loeb's. This opens opportunities for more drivers so it is king of normal different to win.

[RAS007]

Interesting analysis, however in Ogier's era we have now double teams comparing to Loeb's. This opens opportunities for more drivers so it is king of normal different to win.

Loeb came along at an interesting time: the greats of the previous decade (Kankkunen, Sainz, Auriol, Makinen, McRae) were all well past their peak, or retired, and the specialists were disappearing. Loeb was part of the new era (Martin, Solberg, Gronholm to an extent), but due to a combination of factors (e.g.: Burns' illness, Martin retiring due to co-driver death), by the time 2007 came around, the competition was all but extinct, and disappeared completely after Gronholm retired. Would Loeb have won 9 in a row had he entered the top level of the sport in 1993? Possible, but seems unlikely. Either way, we'll never know, and its hard to take a credible position against the idea that his total domination of the WRC for 9 years was very damaging for the sport. I am really just nostalgic for a time when going into any event, there were 5 or 6 possible winners, which is something that seems to be long gone, sadly. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, read any Rallycourse up until 2005. That said, I am hopeful for the future.

[N.O.T]

Loeb came along at an interesting time: the greats of the previous decade (Kankkunen, Sainz, Auriol, Makinen, McRae) were all well past their peak, or retired, and the specialists were disappearing. Loeb was part of the new era (Martin, Solberg, Gronholm to an extent), but due to a combination of factors (e.g.: Burns' illness, Martin retiring due to co-driver death), by the time 2007 came around, the competition was all but extinct, and disappeared completely after Gronholm retired. Would Loeb have won 9 in a row had he entered the top level of the sport in 1993? Possible, but seems unlikely. Either way, we'll never know, and its hard to take a credible position against the idea that his total domination of the WRC for 9 years was very damaging for the sport. I am really just nostalgic for a time when going into any event, there were 5 or 6 possible winners, which is something that seems to be long gone, sadly. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, read any Rallycourse up until 2005. That said, I am hopeful for the future.

let it go son... just let it go... its over.

[RAS007]

let it go son... just let it go... its over.

.....and right on cue.

[dimviii]

They are one of the teams most advanced are with the test, perhaps not because they have a winning base (and margin) as having Volkswagen, but have enough racing experience to know how to measure the tempos of development of a new car. In addition, having a more than proven as the C-Elysée TC1 engine, makes them have the most tied mechanical part, at least more than rivals like Toyota, to which they are watching them hobble in this area during the first tests they are made in our country with the Yaris WRC.

The aim of Citroën is not to be fighting for the title next season and in the first year of the C3 WRC. 2017 is aimed at the Satory continue to accumulate experience and evolving the car, maybe fighting for victories assiduously, while it will be in 2018 when the team look resolutely fight for the championship and for this, Yves Matton makes it clear that He wants a top driver in its ranks and by the words of head of team of the two chevrons, foreshadowed that perhaps Kris Meeke is not thinking like great candidate.

The perfect team is to bring us the title in 2018. Not so in 2017, I believe more in the long run. In 2017 we want to win some tests and this can make Kris. Then we have to see what the best option for the future. The Volkswagen drivers have only contract for the 2017 season and still Thierry, Dani and Mads are available. These are all experienced pilots. Of course we can also look for someone new. There are still more names. In late 2017, the market may seem totally different.

According to Matton own, there may be several scenarios, including that he would be the one to sign an experienced pilot (Sordo has confirmed talks with the French firm) or a promising young as second driver (in the past rang name Esapekka Lappi, Versailles but also rely heavily on their young drivers as Lefebvre or Gilbert), accompanying Kris Meeke in 2017 and wait to see what is released later this year in the other teams. Obviously the wet dream formations like Toyota or Citroen remains Sébastien Ogier.

It has not been established by now a strategy. It could be a very good second pilot. You could also think of a young driver. You could also wait until the end of 2017 to see if some drivers are free. There are two or three different scenarios, we will decide at the end of the first half of the year. If a driver is not in contact with us, then shows me that does not believe in our project, and I want to have only pilots who believe in us.

http://www.diariomotor.com/competici...l-wrc-en-2018/