VW News 2012 & WRC 2013

**mousti** · 22nd Nov 11, 20:36

In such news I don't think u'll very fast a negative thing. And about Abbring u can impossible say that it was bad, he was very fast for the first time in a S2000 and on friday with a 6th time overall is pure class.

**Dug83** · 23rd Nov 11, 08:06

Ogier signs with VW!!!!!!!!!!!

Ogier becomes first factory driver at Volkswagen - YouTube

**N.O.T** · 23rd Nov 11, 08:20

good news for the championship....but lets see if he is going to be affected by the 1 year lay-off.

**Brother John** · 23rd Nov 11, 08:41

Originally Posted by N.O.T

good news for the championship....but lets see if he is going to be affected by the 1 year lay-off.

We will definitely see him in the WRC, but wait until she confesses himself, we already have enough to read rumors here........

**Mintexmemory** · 23rd Nov 11, 08:48

I'm very pleased about this news and VW will know, without doubt, if they are not winning then it's the car not the driver.
So Monte in a Fabia then?

**GigiGalliNo1** · 23rd Nov 11, 08:54

There is a photo of him wearing VW clothing with codriver

1 year to develop car and get paid by top team... He's a top driver so there won't be any issues

**N.O.T** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:00

In the video if you freeze it at 59 seconds...you see the castrol edge sponsor badge attached to the rally uniform of Ogier....that means Castrol jumped ship from ford to VW ??? or castrol is a WRC sponsor in general ???

**Hartusvuori** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:00

Interesting to say the least. Will we see Ogier at all in 2012? We'll see.

So, will Ford go with Latvala-Tänak combination? That seems obvious. It's also obvious that it could end up as another 2008 season for Ford if Latvala doesn't proove yet to be enough number 1 for the team as Hirvonen wasn't yet in 2008. That too, we'll see.

**N.O.T** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:04

I like the world cup races part of the video.... USA narrators are the best....

**Mintexmemory** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:06

Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Interesting to say the least. Will we see Ogier at all in 2012? We'll see.

So, will Ford go with Latvala-Tänak combination? That seems obvious. It's also obvious that it could end up as another 2008 season for Ford if Latvala doesn't proove yet to be enough number 1 for the team as Hirvonen wasn't yet in 2008. That too, we'll see.

I think JML is a totally different personality to Mikko and is more than ready to be the leader. I'm surprised you singled out 2008, I don't think Mikko ever really stepped up to the plate although we don't know just how much confidence he lost in the big accident -more, it appears, than JML when he attempted Focus-skiing down a Portugese mountain.

**6789** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:10

I think a Latvala-Solberg team at ford would be better and have Tanak in a WRC car to learn. Have to hold our breath until Ford an announcement

Also - what was the book they gave Ogier? German- French dictionary?

**steffforno** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:13

WRC / Breaking news: Ogier primo pilota ufficiale di VW

**N.O.T** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:15

Originally Posted by 6789

Also - what was the book they gave Ogier? German- French dictionary?

no it was the "Driver-Team relations, How not to F$$$ up....again"

**Sulland** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:19

I wish VW good luck with Ogier. He is quick, but not a champ seen from a HR perspective!

**Hartusvuori** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:27

Originally Posted by Mintexmemory

I'm surprised you singled out 2008.

It was the last time Ford had a change in their line-up and no.1 driver had some boots to fill. But for sure Grönholm's boots were bigger than Hirvonen's, and for sure Latvala is now more ready than Hirvonen was in 2007. And as for Latvala's confidence crushing "issues" in 2009, it was the Polish affair that effected him far more than the accident in Portugal.

Back on the topic, like N.O.T. said, for the championship Ogier signing VW seems to be the best option. If all goes well with Ford/M-Sport, in 2013 we'll see three stars attacking with full back-up from their team and wingmen: Loeb in Citroen, Ogier in VW and Latvala most likely in Ford. And perhaps Mini adds a notable force there too at odd occasions, and just bring more manus to bring more seats for the young guns.

Progress is slow, but as it seems, I wouldn't be too pessimistic about the near future of our beloved sport's main championship.

RS · 23rd Nov 11, 09:27

I think that Ogier will be "enough" as a lead driver which should leave the way clear for someone like Mikkelsen, Hanninen or Neuville for seat 2.

**Leon** · 23rd Nov 11, 09:36

someone to wake up wrc.com please. there are news to post......

**uranium** · 23rd Nov 11, 11:18

VW in WRC is ok, but what about Skoda? What are news, rumors? What will be the future of Skoda Motorsport and future of Skoda in rally?
Probably it should be in separate thread. IMHO quite serious question...

**DonJippo** · 23rd Nov 11, 11:45

Originally Posted by RS

I think that Ogier will be "enough" as a lead driver which should leave the way clear for someone like Mikkelsen, Hanninen or Neuville for seat 2.

I think VW has other plans for Ogier's team mate.

**modri dirkac** · 23rd Nov 11, 11:50

Originally Posted by uranium

VW in WRC is ok, but what about Skoda? What are news, rumors? What will be the future of Skoda Motorsport and future of Skoda in rally?
Probably it should be in separate thread. IMHO quite serious question...

My speculation: VW with Polo WRC, Skoda with new Fabia R4(T).