Ford drivers 2011?? [Archive] - Motorsport Forums

Francis44

8th May 2010, 13:13

I think most of you are ditching Hirvonnen without a necessary could head. Sure is performance in New Zealand isn't being one of he's best but a bad rally dosen't mean a kick out of the team.

Then most people suggest PG to go to Ford. I mean what the well do you seriously think he can top Hirvonnen?! Wake up from your fairy tail dreams.

Regarding your guess MJW, I think it's a wise one, thought I think it's all on M-Sport side. If they can make the new Fiesta WRC fast enough than we might see a 2 team fight, otherwise Citroen will be on top again, unlike Ford their on top of all they do and everything they do is calculated.

With all this I take my hatt of for Malcolm Wilson, for being honest and for believing on the team drivers, because if it was another person I doubt Latvala would have stayed on the team beyond 2008.

RobertS

8th May 2010, 13:14

Sordo & Mikko

Francis44

8th May 2010, 13:16

Oh and my guess....

Mikko Hirvonnen and Latvala.

N.O.T

8th May 2010, 13:27

the only person that needs to go is Wilson...he serves no purpose in the car and wastes money from the development of the car.

Both hirvonen/latvala are good drivers a click south from loeb but thats nothing to be embarassed of.

MJW

8th May 2010, 13:30

Sordo & Mikko
No manager in his right mind will leave such a fast driver as Jari Matti leave.
As for PG I think he will be at Prodrive along with Meeke.

Wim_Impreza

8th May 2010, 13:36

I hope for Jari-Matti Latvala and Per-Gunnar Andersson. Still I think it will be again Jari-Matti Latvala and the slow Mikko Hirvonen.

There are much drivers that are better then Hirvonen and wants to fight for victory, not to settle for a 2nd or 3rd place.

AndyRAC

8th May 2010, 14:07

Is it just 2 driver teams? Surely having 3 driver team would be better for the sport.

Hartusvuori

8th May 2010, 14:21

Isn't it so that Mikko and Jari-Matti already have deal for 2011. After confident start to the season in Sweden Mikko has definitely lost it. I believe he still can be there fighting for the victories, but at this moment he needs some kind of kick to get out of this mode. Hopefully Mikko would find his speed again until Finland, otherwise that'll be hard to watch for Finnish fans... Looking at what kind of progress Ogier did in Finland last year, he could be a force to reckon with this year.

Bobcat

8th May 2010, 14:55

Per-Gunnar Andersson and Jari-Matti Latvala or Jari Ketomaa!

MJW

8th May 2010, 15:23

The basis of my argument of this is that Loeb drove an awesome drive yesterday (and is a real class act at all times) Ogier is turning into a future champion. Petter has of late had no problem in beating the factory Fords, so I just though that maybe Malcolm wakes up and smells the coffee and realises that getting Petter in a factory Ford is a good thing to take the fight to Citroen. I doubt if Petter ever gets total parity with Loeb / Ogier in a Citroen so I thought it would be a mutual benefit thing.
As for two driver teams, - I actually think there will be 4 car teams next year, called Citroen Junior and another Ford, who knows Shell Ford Norway - maybe that's a way to keep both Finns and get Petter and PG in the "nordic" team.
I know I said earlier PG for Prodrive, and that could happen - I reckon Prodrive's line up will be two from this lot, Meeke, PG, Wilks, Atkinson - and as a total outside chance Sordo, as he must be feeling uncomfortable with the two Seb's

Tomi

8th May 2010, 15:26

Per-Gunnar Andersson and Jari-Matti Latvala or Jari Ketomaa!

A new car can change many things, my guess is that Ford continiues with same drivers, Ketomaa propably will drive a private Ford on the highest level next year, even here in NZ there are none of the absolute top S2000 drivers to compaire him with, so does things look good at the moment.

JFL

8th May 2010, 15:36

I know I said earlier PG for Prodrive, and that could happen - I reckon Prodrive's line up will be two from this lot, Meeke, PG, Wilks, Atkinson - and as a total outside chance Sordo, as he must be feeling uncomfortable with the two Seb's
Mads Østberg says it's almost a done deal with him driving a Mini for Prodrive.. ??? It was on the news last week..

Rallyper

8th May 2010, 15:55

Mads Østberg says it's almost a done deal with him driving a Mini for Prodrive.. ??? It was on the news last week..

That is probably in a M2 team runned by Adapta, but serviced by Prodrive.

Well, I guess MH and JML will continue in Ford next year. The bigdifference we see now is partly a question of engine power. Hopefully next year the difference is zero between Ford and Citroen.

I´d like PG in a Ford and he might well be but that´s if MW will run a three car team.

Prodrive - is an open question - PG if not in Ford, and Meeke, Wilks, Atko, and whoever brings good sponsormoney...

Red bull

8th May 2010, 16:06

sordo and latvala can make a good ford team but all must be allowed to fight for victory with no team orders.

JFL

8th May 2010, 16:11

That is probably in a M2 team runned by Adapta, but serviced by Prodrive.

Well, I guess MH and JML will continue in Ford next year. The bigdifference we see now is partly a question of engine power. Hopefully next year the difference is zero between Ford and Citroen.

I´d like PG in a Ford and he might well be but that´s if MW will run a three car team.

Prodrive - is an open question - PG if not in Ford, and Meeke, Wilks, Atko, and whoever brings good sponsormoney...

If you look at this clip.. fast forward to 36:10... I guess you understand norwegian..
http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/634104/

Langdale Forest

8th May 2010, 18:06

Wim_Impreza

8th May 2010, 18:22

Langdale Forest

8th May 2010, 18:44

Kopecký and Atkinson better than Hirvonen? :rolleyes:

They may be good world class drivers but they have both never won a WRC round.

Per-Gunnar Andersson and Jari-Matti Latvala or Jari Ketomaa!

Mikko is way quicker than Jari Ketomaa

Finni2

8th May 2010, 19:06

Hirvonen won almost the championship due to the mistakes of Loeb last year. I believe Latvala, Ogier, Petter Solberg and of course Loeb are all faster then him. I think Per-Gunnar Andersson, Meeke, Kopecký, Hänninen, Gardemeister and Atkinson are faster then Hirvonen too.

Hirvonen is still the only contemporary driver who has genuinely outpaced Loeb with normal conditions. I don't know if Hänninen, Meeke or P-G could beat Hirvonen with good practise but for sure Hirvonen is miles faster than Kopecky and Gardemaister.

Tomi

8th May 2010, 20:16

I don't know if Hänninen, Meeke or P-G could beat Hirvonen with good practise but for sure Hirvonen is miles faster than Kopecky and Gardemaister.

Of those you mention P-G maybe would be close, after Monte Hänninen admitted that he did not have a chance to match Mikko, Kopecky is an ok driver but not top level, someday with good luck a second driver in some team.

ste898

8th May 2010, 20:52

miksu

8th May 2010, 21:54

The stupidity of some people amazes me,

Mikko Hirvonen almost won the championship last year, and some of you show no respect towards him. :mad:

I cannot beileve that some people think that PG Andersson to be a suitable replacement for him next year. :mad:

Hirvonen is just so lame. I cant think how he could show something new from him that we havent seen, or to develope more speed as a driver (actually seems to get slower). Never liked his personality either and never will. If he left WRC now, i would be happy to see some interesting driver like pg, petter, ketomaa... well almost anyone looking for a top drive to take his place. Mikko could go to polish his escort to his cottage and bite some average sausage

Wim_Impreza

8th May 2010, 22:06

Kopecký and Atkinson better than Hirvonen? :rolleyes:

They may be good world class drivers but they have both never won a WRC round.

Mikko is way quicker than Jari Ketomaa

Logical, the Subaru was crap when Atkinson joined it and Kopecký never had a chance in a factory team in the WRC which is a shame. Kopecký really deserves a chance in the WRC and maybe it will happen in the future. If that isn't possible due to the lack of factory teams, IRC is a good alternative.

amilk

8th May 2010, 22:10

The stupidity of some people amazes me,

Mikko Hirvonen almost won the championship last year, and some of you show no respect towards him. :mad:

I cannot beileve that some people think that PG Andersson to be a suitable replacement for him next year. :mad:

Last year Hirvonen was very lucky to fight till the last race.......The speed was not there again Hirvonen except NORF.
I'm not saying he has no place in the team - but he shows what he can do - no more potential - he is on top on his own
PG and other has potential mab not right from the beginning winning perofrmance but later on they can be better than Hirvonen

Rallyper

8th May 2010, 22:44

If you look at this clip.. fast forward to 36:10... I guess you understand norwegian..
http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/634104/

Yeah, I understand norweigan very well. But is it any difference from what I said? He might be factorydriver run by Prodrive but paid by Adapta.

8th May 2010, 22:47

A new car can change many things, my guess is that Ford continiues with same drivers, Ketomaa propably will drive a private Ford on the highest level next year, even here in NZ there are none of the absolute top S2000 drivers to compaire him with, so does things look good at the moment.

I don't consider the likes of Sandell, Tuohino & co. to be the absolute top S2000 drivers so let's wait and see how Ketomaa will do when he comes up against some real competition to see if the hype is justified. Portugal should be more interesting in that respect.

As for Ford and their current drivers, maybe the story will be different next year when they have the Fiesta. However I think that Mikko and JML are not on the level of Loeb and likely never will be.

OldF

9th May 2010, 00:22

how Ketomaa will do when he comes up against some real competition to see if the hype is justified..

Do you think that he hasn’t any competition at the moment? IMO he has. What do you mean by not having a real competition?

N.O.T

9th May 2010, 02:24

Tomi

9th May 2010, 07:35

i think the competition he faces is average.....when PG enters its going to be a good indication of his speed and if he is ready to face the big league..

The fact that he wins over sandel and Pons without too much effort its a good sign. i would like to see his tarmac performance as well though

Against P-G i think he dont have a chance yet, but the rest he should beat quite easy, and thats good enough sofar.
Maybe its good to remember that theese guys like Kopecky, Sandell and others has been driving on international level long time already, Ketomaa is just starting.

Tomi

9th May 2010, 07:37

However I think that Mikko and JML are not on the level of Loeb and likely never will be.

Thats propably true, but at the moment there is no better drivers free for Ford to choose from.

Barreis

9th May 2010, 10:36

There's P.Solberg..

amilk

9th May 2010, 20:26

Thats propably true, but at the moment there is no better drivers free for Ford to choose from.

At the moment not....but maybe there are drivers with the potential to be there and would be necessary to give them a chance (like Latvala in Stobart years ago).....Hirvonen will be not there, he is on top of himself...the problem is that Stobart team since 2-3year for earning money and not to discover potential talents and now this hit back to Ford slowly. Latvala still a question he stil in learning curve but after him there is a big hole at Ford
MW mad mistake to not give right tech level car for P.Solberg. Also funny that Grönholm drove 2008spec Focus in Sweden. ......he will not drive again in old spec as said....means he expected more from MW for Sweden

Tomi

9th May 2010, 20:58

Also funny that Grönholm drove 2008spec Focus in Sweden. ......he will not drive again in old spec as said....means he expected more from MW for Sweden

Link please, because i think you make up things in your head again as usual.
Only thing as far as I know is that he said he wont start in rallies if he cant test properly.

amilk

9th May 2010, 23:01

Link please, because i think you make up things in your head again as usual.
Only thing as far as I know is that he said he wont start in rallies if he cant test properly.

For sure I make up things in my head.....for that is my head

Grönholm said:
"When I stopped, in 2007, I was on the top and I went out of Finland a winner. I would hate to come back and sit in fifth or sixth place, that would be s*** for me. Sweden this year was on the limit, there wasn't really enough testing and the car wasn't the last specification."

and the link:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83174

Tomi

9th May 2010, 23:18

For sure I make up things in my head.....for that is my head

Grönholm said:
"When I stopped, in 2007, I was on the top and I went out of Finland a winner. I would hate to come back and sit in fifth or sixth place, that would be s*** for me. Sweden this year was on the limit, there wasn't really enough testing and the car wasn't the last specification."

and the link:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83174

Yes, but still cant find where is he saying that he wont drive an old spec car?

amilk

9th May 2010, 23:23

Yes, but still cant find where is he saying that he wont drive an old spec car?

Not interested to go for 5-6 places. And to be better he needs more test and newer spec car. On indirect way that's the message.
Generally he expected more from the car I think in Sweden.
Believe me I will be happy to see him in any car.

tmx

10th May 2010, 03:07

My guess is Matthew Wilson and Federico Villagra, or Ken Block.

Brother John

10th May 2010, 06:26

As the FIA was not this way stupid and WRC would drive with the current S2000 cars, everyone had a chance of winning!
For years I say that the current WRCcars are too technically, too fast and too expensive to have a real rally competition!
Only for the Citroën and Ford cupp they had to change the current S2000 cars to have again too expensive and too fast cars so that other car factories or other teams have no chance in the future!
The FIA apparently also does not understand something of the world finance crisis!

Koz

10th May 2010, 07:00

Latvala still a question he stil in learning curve but after him there is a big hole at Ford

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.

COD

10th May 2010, 08:15

[quote="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.

/QUOTE]

Exactly, Latvala has been driving WRC rallies for 7-8 years now. How many more years would he need?

Look at Ogier, he doesn't need many years learning like Hirvonen and Latvala to be a contender for winning a rally

amilk

10th May 2010, 08:41

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

GigiGalliNo1

10th May 2010, 11:28

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!

jens

10th May 2010, 17:22

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.

Mintexmemory

10th May 2010, 21:16

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

Tomi

10th May 2010, 21:20

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.

Mirek

10th May 2010, 21:24

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.

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.

N.O.T

10th May 2010, 21:25

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.

Mirek

10th May 2010, 21:25

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.

Koz

10th May 2010, 22:55

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.

Rallyper

11th May 2010, 20:39

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.

A.F.F.

12th May 2010, 01:54

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 :mark:

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.

Koz

12th May 2010, 06:58

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.