[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

**adr17** · 15th Nov 11, 23:39

Originally Posted by alleskids

No Hirvonen movement to Citroen before Ford has announced they stay in WRC 2012. Otherwise Ogier has nothing to moveto when he moves outside the Citroen team.

first we have to wath for Ford announcing a stay in 2012 WRC
second step is announcing Ogier to Ford
final step is announcing Hirvonen to Citroen

it was offically announced today at his previous employers ie msport , deal defiantly done

**GigiGalliNo1** · 16th Nov 11, 01:24

Maybe Ogier number 1 driver in Team 2 for Qatar Citroen with Nasser.

**RSmaX** · 16th Nov 11, 01:52

Originally Posted by traxx

Now, 2 Fiestas WRC in "Rallye du Var" next week. So I think an annoucement is going to be done really soon before this event.
https://twitter.com/#!/Traxx_WiF/sta...21878733987841

This sounds plausible. But do you have a source for it?

**traxx** · 16th Nov 11, 09:23

It's sure that 2 Fiestas will be in "Rallye du Var" (french tarmac rally to prepare MC). The rest is just what I think

**focus206** · 16th Nov 11, 11:02

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Maybe Ogier number 1 driver in Team 2 for Qatar Citroen with Nasser.

What would the point for him to go in a Citroen private team? To be even more subjected under team orders? If he stays in Citroen, he stays in the official team.

**logic** · 16th Nov 11, 11:10

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Maybe Ogier number 1 driver in Team 2 for Qatar Citroen with Nasser.

but he would not get a works car.

**mousti** · 16th Nov 11, 14:05

Eddy Chevaillier confirms now too on his facebook that Mikko is a Citroën driver now

**MartijnS** · 16th Nov 11, 14:26

Quesnel confirmed it too now

Ogier out, Hirvonen in.

**GigiGalliNo1** · 16th Nov 11, 14:27

Confirmed - Mikko for Citroen!

**Miika** · 16th Nov 11, 14:43

Whammo.

**Roy** · 16th Nov 11, 14:49

Hirvonen is in Citroen for 2 years
Mikko Hirvonen replaces Sebastien Ogier at Citroen - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com

Twitter
Twitter

**userwave** · 16th Nov 11, 14:51

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Confirmed - Mikko for Citroen!

is this good news though?

**Josti** · 16th Nov 11, 14:52

Shakes things a bit up. Exciting.

**rage82** · 16th Nov 11, 14:52

From citroen-wrc.com :"2012
Olivier Quesnel announced today that @MikkoWRC and Jarmo Lehtinen will join @citroenracing for next year. Welcome aboard guys! #WRC

So Mikko will drive Citroen next year!

**GigiGalliNo1** · 16th Nov 11, 15:02

It certainly does now... Ford hopefully can pick up someone good? (haha)

Citroend will dominate again... but will Mikko be the b*tc&?

**Hartusvuori** · 16th Nov 11, 15:16

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Citroend will dominate again... but will Mikko be the b*tc&?

Well, they certainly didn't sign him to be number one.

Change is good for one thing and after we've gotten the comfirmations from Ford squad, let's see if we are ahead of newly exciting 2012 season.

It'll be interesting to see how Finnish fans react to Mikko in Rally Finland. Citroen team has been considered as the proverbial enemy and waving the Ford flag has been an easy option for past six years. It'll stir things up. I'll stick with Ford flag though. And yes, this has been the most important thing to consider in this move.

**Roy** · 16th Nov 11, 15:18

Citroen has now the best first driver, 8 times champion, and the best second driver reliable and constant of the field.
IMO Citroen will be champion in 2012, but de driver champion is not known yet.

Ford has to do with fast guns, but not always so reliable. But Latvala learn a lot and is a lot quicker on tarmac these days.

2012 will be exiting.

**N.O.T** · 16th Nov 11, 15:21

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Citroend will dominate again... but will Mikko be the b*tc&?

yes, its going to be the first time since the start of the citroen racing team that citroen will have a clear No1 and No2 driver...bad for the sport.

Ogier to Ford is just a tombstone to his career....

10 championships in a row is almost certain now.

seems that apart from fail drivers finland start to produce fail managers as well...lets see how long before ogier wakes up.

**T.Maanteiden kuningas** · 16th Nov 11, 15:45

Great news!

Citroen is awesome team and now Mikko is part of "red army". Hirvonen is still factory team driver, nice to see Finn in factory DS3. Pykälistö was last Finn in factory Citroen?!

Now we have to think different about Citroen, there is again blue/white spirit in team!

**MJW** · 16th Nov 11, 15:47

Originally Posted by N.O.T

Ogier to Ford is just a tombstone to his career....

I dont know but I think Ford will by Latvala and Tanak, with Ogier going to VW. Will Malcolm risk having Ogier in his team? Ogier certainly wont come cheap, and having JML and Ogier in the same Fords team might turn complicated, both will want to win. My guess is JML will become #1 and teh focus of Ford's championship, backed up by Tanak, who at his stage of his career will probably drive for his flights and hotel and be paid a mechanics wage with Malcolm. If Ford lose €8M AbuDhabi money who is going to find that kind of money for Ogier on a two / three year deal?