[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

**GigiGalliNo1** · 16th Nov 11, 15:54

WAH! N.O.T sort of agreed with my comment!

**Hartusvuori** · 16th Nov 11, 15:56

Originally Posted by T.Maanteiden kuningas

Pykälistö was last Finn in Citroen?!

Err... Kimi a break!

**T.Maanteiden kuningas** · 16th Nov 11, 15:58

Kimi WHO? I mean real factory team...

**focus206** · 16th Nov 11, 16:03

Originally Posted by T.Maanteiden kuningas

Kimi WHO? I mean real factory team...

Wasn't Pykalisto in the OMV backed Manfred Stohl's team?

**dimviii** · 16th Nov 11, 16:04

Nice to see Mikko in Citroen racing.
it ll be very interesting to measure his speed against Loeb.

**T.Maanteiden kuningas** · 16th Nov 11, 16:17

Pykälistö was factory test driver 2006, Citroen C4. 2004 two events but team was Kronos. 2005 one event with OMV.

**GigiGalliNo1** · 16th Nov 11, 16:22

Wilson on Mikko move

Mikko Hirvonen switches to Citroen for 2012-2013 - World Rally Sport Forums

**tmx** · 16th Nov 11, 16:30

Wow! I must admit I didn't see this coming by a mile, either I haven't been following rally enough or no one is excited from WRC anymore, I would expect to see a bigger reaction from this.

I have to admit it's a strange decision by Mikko and strange decision by Citroen. How can Mikko be sure he'll be allow to win and not be the Rubens to Schumacher. And Citroen clearly knows Ogier is faster than Mikko.

In a way, I'm glad this move will release Latvala, next year would be his best chance yet. It's shameful how many times he had to slow down for Mikko not just this years, but the past years. I'm think Mikko chance of ever being champion is effectively over.

Would be interesting to see Ogier ended up at VW and have a big 4 ways fight between the manufacturers. But if Petter gets a drive with a manu team would make my day.

**Barreis** · 16th Nov 11, 16:32

Ogier has some ego problems. He destroyed his career.

**GigiGalliNo1** · 16th Nov 11, 16:39

You really think so (that he destroyed his career)? I think so too to an extent... he pushed a bit too much... over took his limits with the team which gave him a nice big black cloud over his head.... but I couldn't expect him (being French maybe, wanting to push harder for the wins... to be in the spot light... this is not an attack on anyone but maybe the french have a different mentality then anyone else to be better then others, I don't know) but if Sordo pushed and didn't' listen to team orders and did the same.. he too would have been out... Sordo just stuck in his shell to keep the team happy... then, Bam he was out just like that! He supported the team but then they found someone better. Here Ogier supported the team, pushed over the edge a little, a bit cocky and now he's left...

Sorry. I am not against Ogier or the French of Citroen but it's how I see it.

**T.Maanteiden kuningas** · 16th Nov 11, 16:40

Originally Posted by tmx

I have to admit it's a strange decision by Mikko and strange decision by Citroen. How can Mikko be sure he'll be allow to win and not be the Rubens to Schumacher. And Citroen clearly knows Ogier is faster than Mikko.

In a way, I'm glad this move will release Latvala, next year would be his best chance yet. It's shameful how many times he had to slow down for Mikko not just this years, but the past years. I'm think Mikko chance of ever being champion is effectively over.

Would be interesting to see Ogier ended up at VW and have a big 4 ways fight between the manufacturers. But if Petter gets a drive with a manu team would make my day.

Mikko will be 2nd driver in team. Maybe some wins but LOEB is number one and the champ!

Latvala was crashing all the time past years, Mikko was better because he was finishing rallies.

**tfp** · 16th Nov 11, 17:18

Originally Posted by T.Maanteiden kuningas

Mikko will be 2nd driver in team. Maybe some wins but LOEB is number one and the champ!

Latvala was crashing all the time past years, Mikko was better because he was finishing rallies.

Latvala is maturing more and more as a driver, he will get better. In a way, it would be good if tanak ended up at ford instead of ogier, as there will be no clear number one if ogier joins ford.

**bluuford** · 16th Nov 11, 17:46

Originally Posted by MJW

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 you look at some GB pictures the you can see that Tänak was actually working on his own car as a mechanic at some point of the rally to sort out some problems after his overheating problem. So, Malcolm can hire one mechanic less as well ;-P

**Arwel Davies** · 16th Nov 11, 17:46

So one of the worst kept secrets in WRC is finally out in the air. It'll take a while for it to look right seeing Mikko in a Citroen. Now what about everyone else? I think Ford will commit for a few more years at least. Obviously Jari Matti as number 1 driver. Where will Ogier go? him and Jari Matti if the partership work would be amazing but there is that risk there with Jari now finding speed and consitency and not crashing and Ogier being full of confidence and wanting to get one over on Loeb that there could well be fireworks. Would Petter be better suited in the 2nd Ford? He has the speed but hasnt had much luck this year and maybe a seat in with a manufacturer would change things and he could win events whilst not putting the team result at risk. Then you have VW lurking in the backround ready to swipe. You know their going to offer big bucks and are going to want to be competative from the start but involves a season of testing and developement rather than competing, would Petter or Ogier be happy with this? Who knows, should be an interesting season next year once all the moves are finalised.

**Hartusvuori** · 16th Nov 11, 17:48

Originally Posted by bluuford

If you look at some GB pictures the you can see that Tänak was actually working on his own car as a mechanic at some point of the rally to sort out some problems after his overheating problem. So, Malcolm can hire one mechanic less as well ;-P

Mikko is a mechanic too, so with Ott in it would keep things in balance :-)

**tfp** · 16th Nov 11, 19:01

Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Mikko is a mechanic too, so with Ott in it would keep things in balance :-)

Mikko a mechanic? I hear kris meeke is aswel:-)

**AndyRAC** · 16th Nov 11, 19:11

Originally Posted by tfp

Mikko a mechanic? I hear kris meeke is aswel:-)

Meeke is a qualified engineer from Queen's University in Belfast.....

**Munkvy** · 16th Nov 11, 19:17

I think Ford might well be able to afford Ogier now... Afterall, he is unemployed, is he going to be so picky about who will take him or how big the cheque is? Whats his alternative?

And I agree with whoever said it before, Sordo didn't step out of Loebs shadow and did what the team told him, yet he still got dumped...

Ogier didn't, he seized the opportunity and made a name for himself. Sure he may not be a team player, but at least he has won rallies, been an actual world championship contender for some time and generally proved he can go toe to toe with the best driver in the world.

**Woodeye** · 16th Nov 11, 19:19

Originally Posted by N.O.T

seems that apart from fail drivers finland start to produce fail managers as well...

Yes, 2-3 drivers in WRC is quite bad result from country of 5 million. I'm sure we'd produce much more, but we are starting to run our of money since we have to pour the money into but*hole of europe called greece.