Thread: Ford drivers 2011??

Originally Posted by Koz

What learning curve?
How many years does he need his learning curve?
You can say it for the next 10 years just like Wilson Jr.

Hirvonen doesn't have the killer instinct. He's a pussy. Simple as that. He's a good number 2, but that's about as far as his career will go.

You need guys like Gigi or Solberg or even Atkinson to lead. Hell, tell Latvala two words "Maximum Attack" and let him go flat out and risk it all or nothing. That would put pressure on Loeb and the like.
Ogier seems to have more balls than Hirvonen in fact. They should hire him.

At least at Latvala there is a speed and there was a speed always. He needs to learn the consistency. For sure this takes more time than normal but he is still young. Fully agree that on the sideline there are good pilots waiting. I mentioned also that it was mistake to let Solberg go to Citroen

My question you now guys is, WRC will have new spec cars next year... so that means there will be more drivers and cars, well not really cars as in manufactures but privateer drivers that are racing this year in the Fiesta's and Skodas. Nasser Al Attiyah, Ketomaa etc. So will Ford have their official team, stobart, monster, munchi's, and privateers? Citroen will have their WRT, Juniors and privateers? Skoda too.... if they build a 1.6T etc.

So there will be more cars and drivers... or not - as perhaps Cit and Ford will only make their own cars for them selves, then in 2012 sell their 2011spec to P. Solberg and the like which would be another year to wait!

There is no question. Ford drivers will be the same next year, they are already contracted. But it would be great to see, what can PGA do in that car for instance. Yeah, he may be called unproven on the level of competing for WRC wins, but based on what has been seen below that he has looked fantastic.

I can see Petter and Kris Meeke being in a semi-factory Peugeot. Atkinson back in a Proton. The possibilities are intiguing, especially the Prodrive Mini plans

Originally Posted by Mintexmemory

I can see Petter and Kris Meeke being in a semi-factory Peugeot.

Are you sure Peugeot will continiue with rally? I dont think they will.

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Skoda too.... if they build a 1.6T etc.

The development is under way but I don't see the car coming sooner than in the middle of the year. I think that factory team stays in IRC for 2011 but may move to WRC in 2012.

Originally Posted by Mintexmemory

I can see Petter and Kris Meeke being in a semi-factory Peugeot.

Peugeot has neither plans on 1.6T development nor any WRC ambitions. They already have Citroën DS3 for WRC.

people confuse the s2000 and the 1.6turbo formats.....everyone thinks that every manufacturer that has a s2000 car will enter as a manufacturer next year....

stupidity from kart fans is something acceptable...but from semi rally fans is a bit worrying.....maybe.

Originally Posted by Tomi

Are you sure Peugeot will continiue with rally? I dont think they will.

Yes, they will. New evolution of 207 S2000 is comming this summer. Their program is same as so far - mass-produced car for privateers.

Originally Posted by amilk

At least at Latvala there is a speed and there was a speed always. He needs to learn the consistency. For sure this takes more time than normal but he is still young.

Does age really matter?
I think experience is more important than age. And he has a **** load of experience. More than Solberg, Marcus, Loeb, Mcrae or countless others before they were champ.
Latvala and Hrivonen I think is a reasonable combination. The problem is Wilson.
All he cares about is the Constructor c'ship. And he has it all wrong.

He is firstly too scared of change it seems. He needs to let Latvala push, and Hirvonen in a supporting role.
And this would have worked several years ago, when it wasn't just two teams and you didn't have to win every second round in order to be champ. But this is how it is now and hopefully it will change soon.

But still compare Latvala to Ogier and you see a failure. A failure of management if nothing else. Latvala seemed more consistant in 2007 then 2008 or 2009 when there were a lot more drivers and he wasn't in a works teams.

Originally Posted by Koz

Does age really matter?
I think experience is more important than age. And he has a **** load of experience. More than Solberg, Marcus, Loeb, Mcrae or countless others before they were champ.
Latvala and Hrivonen I think is a reasonable combination. The problem is Wilson.
All he cares about is the Constructor c'ship. And he has it all wrong.

He is firstly too scared of change it seems. He needs to let Latvala push, and Hirvonen in a supporting role.
And this would have worked several years ago, when it wasn't just two teams and you didn't have to win every second round in order to be champ. But this is how it is now and hopefully it will change soon.

But still compare Latvala to Ogier and you see a failure. A failure of management if nothing else. Latvala seemed more consistant in 2007 then 2008 or 2009 when there were a lot more drivers and he wasn't in a works teams.

With your explanation above you should therefore look at Sordo as you see Latvala now.

Sordo has also pressure and is not performing his full capacity because of the WRMC.

And Ogier has no one to be compared with at Ford. Wilslow and HS are not in the sam galaxy as Ogier. That´s the the fault MW has to do something. And that´s where PG is coming in I think.

I don't know what's wrong with Mikko too?

Folks tell that Citroen is ahead of Ford on gravel and it might even be so, but that doesn't explain the fact Mikko seem to have lost the pace indeed.

Then again, none of us can't imagine how it feels to drive 30+ kilometers flat out throught the forest roads thinking I drove as fast as I good and took risks... and then get beaten by Loeb with ridicilous top time

Maybe Loeb destroyed his self confindence this early of the season?

I agree Mikko has striggled to show the maximum attack but surely he isn't as slow as he is now.

Originally Posted by Rallyper

With your explanation above you should therefore look at Sordo as you see Latvala now.

Sordo has also pressure and is not performing his full capacity because of the WRMC.

Sordo is dead meat. It doesn't matter how well he drives or even if he drives. He will always be Seb's little bitch. He will in all likelihood never be allowed to win a rally.

Anyone who goes into a team like Citroen who have done extraordinary things with one man, Seb, will never have a chance. Going up against a near faultless robot will destroy anyone and everyone.

The only pressure Sordo has is that he will be kicked from the team - that won't happen. The best likelihood is he will still be a no.2 when Seb finally retires and is replaced with another Seb.

Originally Posted by A.F.F.

I don't know what's wrong with Mikko too?

I think his spirit is broken now.

Originally Posted by N.O.T

people confuse the s2000 and the 1.6turbo formats.....everyone thinks that every manufacturer that has a s2000 car will enter as a manufacturer next year....

Yes I thought the same such as you N.O.T.

Mikko is a good driver but never will be a champion. Although I thinks Petter and JML in Ford will make it more interesting from fan perspective, Ford will probably keep Mikko.