drivacee
8th November 2008, 23:44
I have just read through the thread about the team orders regarding team orders with the Ford Team. Malcolms decision to try to keep Mikko Hirvonen in as high a points position as possible,in the hope that if Loeb had an accident or retired they were still in a good position for the championship.As we all know by now it made no differance to Loeb winning the championship.We must congratulate Loeb as the best rally driver out there.
BUT team orders have been going on for many years.One that sticks in my mind involved Loebs Citroen team boss (maybe ex ) Guy Frequelin.
In i think the 1980 Corsica rally,Frequelin was leading ,but it started to rain and his team mate in the Talbot Sunbeam Henri Toivonen was catching him fast in conditions that Henri loved.Des O,dell then told Henri ,to slow ,he said Henri ,this is a French event,we want a french driver in a French car to win.If you take the win from Guy there will be no car for you for the next event.SO at the start of the last stage Henri was within about 4 seconds of Guy.SO when they counted him down to GO,BUT he sat with arms folded,the marshals were shouting GO,GO, you fool, but he said NO I sit here,which he did for more than 30 seconds,before starting the stage .He lost the rally by a mere 2 or 3 seconds to Frequelin,and went straight home to Espoo.He refused to do the next event in disgust.Des rung him in Finland and said come and see me,but Henri said if you want to see me you come here,.So Des flew over and promised Henri the best car and service he could give him for the RAC.So he agreed to do the RAC on that promise and became the youngest ever winner in 1980 of any world championship event.
BUT team orders have been going on for many years.One that sticks in my mind involved Loebs Citroen team boss (maybe ex ) Guy Frequelin.
In i think the 1980 Corsica rally,Frequelin was leading ,but it started to rain and his team mate in the Talbot Sunbeam Henri Toivonen was catching him fast in conditions that Henri loved.Des O,dell then told Henri ,to slow ,he said Henri ,this is a French event,we want a french driver in a French car to win.If you take the win from Guy there will be no car for you for the next event.SO at the start of the last stage Henri was within about 4 seconds of Guy.SO when they counted him down to GO,BUT he sat with arms folded,the marshals were shouting GO,GO, you fool, but he said NO I sit here,which he did for more than 30 seconds,before starting the stage .He lost the rally by a mere 2 or 3 seconds to Frequelin,and went straight home to Espoo.He refused to do the next event in disgust.Des rung him in Finland and said come and see me,but Henri said if you want to see me you come here,.So Des flew over and promised Henri the best car and service he could give him for the RAC.So he agreed to do the RAC on that promise and became the youngest ever winner in 1980 of any world championship event.