[WRC] Rallye Monte Carlo 2021

[Winner]

Just because Greensmith pays doesn't make him a 'gentleman driver'.

He's still young and has been in rally for years going through all the classes. He has some talent, otherwise how did he win the R5 class at Rally Monte Carlo 2019: https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/52398-rallye-automobile-de-monte-carlo-2019/?ct=1018

The vitriol aimed at him because he pays is just not fair and not necessary. I cant see the same being given to Katsuta or Loubet. Gus is not doing any harm and we should be glad he is bringing money into the sport.

He will have a good battle against the R5 cars this weekend too by the looks of it!
Shameful pace in a WRC car in supposedly a works team with latest spec car.

[jparker]

Most of the time the ditch is a bitch, but in Teemu's case the luck of one rolled the car. Pity.

[T16]

He will have a good battle against the R5 cars this weekend too by the looks of it!
Shameful pace in a WRC car in supposedly a works team with latest spec car.

Starting to worry about him making the 6pm curfew tomorrow TBH.

[T16]

What I don't get about M-sport is the balance of how they spend their funds. Can't understand why they make so, so much profit, looking at their accounts, yet they won't shell out and spend a few quid on someone else to drive alongside Suninen.
This isn't good enough.

[Winner]

Starting to worry about him making the 6pm curfew tomorrow TBH.

He should be first on the road it will be ok

[focus206]

Nothing new really. Matthew Wilson had some 7th places overall in seasons where he got a lot of 5th and 6th places in rallies.

And was it not in 2006 where Manfred Stohl got 4th in the championship with the privateer-run 307? All respect to him, he is a PWRC World Champ after all, but it wasn't exactly a sign of the strength of the WRC-field in 06!

I don't consider Stohl anywhere close a gentleman driver nor a slow driver... he was doing great also in the Kronos Xsara in 2005 against 6 works team. And Wilson achieved few 5th places in what, 6 full seasons? But I do remember Rautenbach getting a 4th place in Argentina in 2008, so I guess you need to go back to early 2000s to have really strong fields, which is a long time ago.

[lnvs]

he was on 3rd gear just before crash
5th gear corner and downshifted 4th just before first impact. His car is number 3.

[meh]

Drivers are immediately different persons when they are talking in their own language and don't need to have "translator in head processing". Especially Taka.

[EstWRC]

better quality

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsRFCM7W8AAmsg2?format=jpg&name=medium

[Myrvold]

I don't consider Stohl anywhere close a gentleman driver nor a slow driver... he was doing great also in the Kronos Xsara in 2005 against 6 works team. And Wilson achieved few 5th places in what, 6 full seasons? But I do remember Rautenbach getting a 4th place in Argentina in 2008, so I guess you need to go back to early 2000s to have really strong fields, which is a long time ago.

The Krono Xsara was a better car than the 307 though. His absolute top results in 05 came in Cyprus or Acropolis (one of those abrasive, rallies) and the Australia where all top guys retired, Duval won and Rovanperä in the Lancer was 2nd. In 07 Stohl was back to that pace again.
If you look at Wilson and Greensmith, the results are quite similar, 7th, 8th, 9th, random 5th and so on.

Obviously the huge difference is that Wilson was just an added driver who didn't really take the seat from anyone at all. A bit like Katsuta in the 4th Toyota.

Anyway, my point was, that while the quality overall is a bit "meh" in 2021. It's not that much different from some of the late-mid 00's.

[jparker]

Nothing new really. Matthew Wilson had some 7th places overall in seasons where he got a lot of 5th and 6th places in rallies.
From what I remember, Wilson's pace wasn't that far from top. Greensmith much slower, I think.

[EstWRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsRGlgMW4AAakXu?format=jpg&name=large

[AnttiL]

Fourmaux is quicker than Greensmith, on a Rally2 car...

I don't have a problem with Greensmith being a pay driver or a gentleman driver, but the thing is that he and his fans believe he'll be a top driver one day...

Great day from Kalle, and good pace from Loubet. Katsuta also had decent pace, but made mistakes on both stages.

Also a big what if from Suninen. That crash was big, kinda scary. Maybe lucky to hit the tree with rear with a big "cushion". But at least the car has potential with the new updates!

[mknight]

It seems there were some different tire choices in Rally2 on SS2.

Gryazin and Mikkelsen were on slicks (said so at the end), Formaux and Solberg probably on snow or wet (judging by first split).

[focus206]

From what I remember, Wilson's pace wasn't that far from top. Greensmith much slower, I think.

You quoted me, but I didn't say that :D

[Myrvold]

From what I remember, Wilson's pace wasn't that far from top. Greensmith much slower, I think.

I was of the impression that he was. So having no life these days, I went through all his WRC point finishes:
3.26 behind in NZ 2010, 3.53 behind in Finland 2011, 4.17 behind in Poland 2009 and 4.20 behind in Turkey 2008. Those are the only rallies where Wilson was within 5 minutes of the winner. Usually he was 7-9 minutes off.
Even when he got 4th, the top three was separated by 45 seconds, he was 8 min behind 3rd.

He was a safe pair of hands though. Not much mistakes by him.

[BigWorm]

What do they expect? They've brought a gentleman driver who funds the team, dropped Lappi because he won't pay, and their only "actual" rally driver has had his program cut/ funding issues so is clearly going to drive with a point to prove.

And Suinen was driving like that, and a few corners from winning the stage. Small margins. But it's hardly a surpise Suninen crashes in Monte - he has done for numerous years.

From their perspective it was unacceptable with him crashing out so early (at all maybe....). Like Millener said the team fought for just entering the rally. So it must be frustrating for him...

But overall I agree with you, it's sad that M-Sport is in this position. It's more of survival than show for them.

[jparker]

I was of the impression that he was. So having no life these days, I went through all his WRC point finishes:
3.26 behind in NZ 2010, 3.53 behind in Finland 2011, 4.17 behind in Poland 2009 and 4.20 behind in Turkey 2008. Those are the only rallies where Wilson was within 5 minutes of the winner. Usually he was 7-9 minutes off.
Even when he got 4th, the top three was separated by 45 seconds, he was 8 min behind 3rd.

He was a safe pair of hands though. Not much mistakes by him.

Well, wait for the rally to finish. Greensmith ~1.5 min away from top time after 2 stages.

[Mirek]

I could not stay without proper spectating so I went into a snowy forest to watch Monte Carlo on WRC+ :D

Kidding aside... it was an a complete accident but I actualy did watch the SS1 in a snowy forest. Sadly for the SS2 I would need a self driving car...

[kiil]

Greensmith

https://media1.tenor.com/images/86987994b1b52758b5d54d33719e18c9/tenor.gif?itemid=7876757

[TWRC]

The Krono Xsara was a better car than the 307 though. His absolute top results in 05 came in Cyprus or Acropolis (one of those abrasive, rallies) and the Australia where all top guys retired, Duval won and Rovanperä in the Lancer was 2nd. In 07 Stohl was back to that pace again.
If you look at Wilson and Greensmith, the results are quite similar, 7th, 8th, 9th, random 5th and so on.

Obviously the huge difference is that Wilson was just an added driver who didn't really take the seat from anyone at all. A bit like Katsuta in the 4th Toyota.

Anyway, my point was, that while the quality overall is a bit "meh" in 2021. It's not that much different from some of the late-mid 00's.

Was it better for Manfred though? He loves swinging the car around, and the oversteery 307 matched that style exactly, and was a match for the works cars during almost the entire season. I think he struggled for pace much more with the Xsara, especially in 2007, when he crashed a lot (Catalunya, Finland comes to my mind instantly).

[er88]

Msport can be as furious as they like with Suninen, but he's actually just shown the car (with a few updates) can still be on the top pace. And this is far from Suninen's ideal conditions.

If Msport want to get money from Mikkelsen or any other driver later in the season, drivers like that would rather see fast pace/ good stage times than a pair of Msport cars losing 30-40secs each stage.

Mikkelsen has openly admitted he has budget this season, and that's reflected in him doing WRC and ERC, so I can imagine he was wary about putting money into Msport just to drive an old car that isn't competitive.

Suninen driving the wheels off the car in the events he does this season, will be better for them than Greensmith crawling through stages (and still crashing anyway).

Better yet they could just let Lappi or Mikkelsen (even Paddon) drive some events for free. There's been rumours they've started pricing out even the drivers who have a lot of budget, due to their excessive demands.

I'm started to wonder if Malcolm has lost his love/appetite for the sport, or those titles won with Ogier were enough for him ( and now it's purely about money/profit only, instead of even trying to win). If Greensmith wasn't putting in millions, would Msport even be here this season?

[rallyfiend]

That's quite the impressive read in to 19km of stage where he's clearly proven he was over-driving the car....

[dimviii]

5th gear corner and downshifted 4th just before first impact. His car is number 3.

ypu are right

http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1072-0-01704800-1611244876.png
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-33122800-1611245520.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-80325200-1611245532.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-37135900-1611245545.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-43015300-1611245557.jpg

[Eli]

The Krono Xsara was a better car than the 307 though. His absolute top results in 05 came in Cyprus or Acropolis (one of those abrasive, rallies) and the Australia where all top guys retired, Duval won and Rovanperä in the Lancer was 2nd. In 07 Stohl was back to that pace again.
If you look at Wilson and Greensmith, the results are quite similar, 7th, 8th, 9th, random 5th and so on.

Obviously the huge difference is that Wilson was just an added driver who didn't really take the seat from anyone at all. A bit like Katsuta in the 4th Toyota.

Anyway, my point was, that while the quality overall is a bit "meh" in 2021. It's not that much different from some of the late-mid 00's.

Well it's difficult when the championship only runs 2 & a half manufacturers, the FIA should really get a move on...but I wouldn't trust they'd make the right decisions as they have up to this point.

[TypeR]

stop talking about Paddon.. he has been away years (last WRC start 2018 Aussie). He is there and will stay there (NZ).
And secondly I would bet money on Tänak or Ogier being regularly in Top3 with Fiesta (without mistakes or faults obviously).

[dimviii]

rigostyle video
https://youtu.be/vqPiiq_ltiU


Oliver Solberg
@OliverSolberg01
·
SS2 went much better - 3rd fastest R5 car!

Taking no risks at all, but the i20 R5 felt really good on that one and happy with the time while driving sensibly!

[dimviii]

lol
Gerard Quinn
@WRCgerardquinn

On a more positive note that Ford "oval" survived the impact with a tree and remained adhered to the rear door. Impressive adhesive!!
#RallyeMonteCarlo
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsRL2L3XcAAGIlo?format=jpg&name=small

[dimviii]

seems Neuville is not happy with the change.


Thierry Neuville
@thierryneuville

After Day 1
It went quite well! We miss a little bit of communication and the sound is not optimum in the intercom. We will improve that. @MWydaeghe
has been doing a really good job and we went through the day with a good rhythm but without taking risks.

[Mirek]

lol
Gerard Quinn
@WRCgerardquinn

On a more positive note that Ford "oval" survived the impact with a tree and remained adhered to the rear door. Impressive adhesive!!
#RallyeMonteCarlo

Several years ago my colleague had a bad accident on German motorway. When they brough the wreck of his car (Octavia III) back, they found a BMW "propeller" stuck in the rear door of the Octavia :D

[dimviii]

Several years ago my colleague had a bad accident on German motorway. When they brough the wreck of his car (Octavia III) back, they found a BMW "propeller" stuck in the rear door of the Octavia :D

so not so good adhesive at bmws badges.

[T16]

ypu are right

http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1072-0-01704800-1611244876.png
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-33122800-1611245520.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-80325200-1611245532.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-37135900-1611245545.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_01_2021/post-1272-0-43015300-1611245557.jpg


Same corner entry speed as Evans?

I wonder what the difference was. I remember thinking what Evans was doing sounded a little weird when he was sliding (seemed to keep a fair bit of throttle on, but with brakes too - not normal left foot braking I don't think). Suninen maybe lifted a little more and that caused more of a drift over?

[T16]

seems Neuville is not happy with the change.


Thierry Neuville
@thierryneuville

After Day 1
It went quite well! We miss a little bit of communication and the sound is not optimum in the intercom. We will improve that. @MWydaeghe
has been doing a really good job and we went through the day with a good rhythm but without taking risks.

You mean intercom or co-driver?

[dimviii]

Same corner entry speed as Evans?

I wonder what the difference was. I remember thinking what Evans was doing sounded a little weird when he was sliding (seemed to keep a fair bit of throttle on, but with brakes too - not normal left foot braking I don't think). Suninen maybe lifted a little more and that caused more of a drift over?

Suninens left tyres are on the white line,maybe more slippy?

[dimviii]

You mean intercom or co-driver?

co driver.Remember he didnt stop for interview at stage stop of ss 2

[T16]

Suninens left tyres are on the white line,maybe more slippy?

maybe - hard to tell. I think more the difference in the way they tried to control it.

[T16]

co driver.Remember he didnt stop for interview at stage stop of ss 2

Yeah - but his quote in your post says he is? Anyway, they've done well I think.

[Mirek]

Suninens left tyres are on the white line,maybe more slippy?

There is clearly different line of both cars coming into the corner. It looks like Evans took wider line coming from the previous corner which logically means he could pass the corner with higher speed.

[meh]

Personally I'm a bit tired and confused of all this Suninen hype. Every time when he was showing good times on gravel rallies from good starting position he was "a Friday hero" but he was nowhere next day or overdrive and made mistake because wasn't able to keep the pace with other from level starting position.

Every time he is showing SOME good splits he will be "what if he could reach to the finish" hero.

He did NOT reach to finish. He did NOT keep the pace with equal starting position. Don't take things out of context.

And to be clear with that - I don't have anything against Suninen and I really hope he can deliver good results... without taking stupid risks.

[denkimi]

lol
Gerard Quinn
@WRCgerardquinn

On a more positive note that Ford "oval" survived the impact with a tree and remained adhered to the rear door. Impressive adhesive!!
#RallyeMonteCarlo

Somebody tell that man that stickers don't fall off when someone crashes. :p

[EstWRC]

https://d2d0b2rxqzh1q5.cloudfront.net/sv/1.67/dir/26e/image/26e39c049f01eb0c511fd2e26cff4460.jpg

[EstWRC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgV0ad_g58g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wymGb_3SuUQ

[meh]

There will be interesting challenge for Greensmith - can he be fastest M-Sport driver at the end of the rally. Because he is not at the moment.

[dimviii]

Yeah - but his quote in your post says he is? Anyway, they've done well I think.

"I must say that this day went quite well, underlined Thierry Neuville at the microphone of WRC All Live. Everything was quite new for Martijn in the car, these WRCs are very fast. We did not really know what is going on. wait, because we didn't have a shakedown or practice session together to prepare. But in the end, everything went pretty well, we just lacked a little communication because the sound of the intercom was not great. We have to improve on this point throughout the weekend. But Martijn did a very good job, I was able to drive at a pretty good pace, without taking big risks. The main objective was to be at the finish of this first day, maybe we lost a little too much time in the last special of the day, but I rode at my own pace, I felt comfortable. Tomorrow will be a much longer day, more tricky too, and the choice of tires will be more complicated! But we are looking forward to it. It will not be easy, but o We will pursue our goal while trying to further improve our collaboration, so that everything is perfect at the end of the day tomorrow! "

https://www.rtbf.be/sport/moteurs/rallye/wrc/detail_thierry-neuville-satisfait-de-sa-journee-un-bon-rythme-pas-le-moindre-gros-risque?id=10679455&fbclid=IwAR0x5KU9HEwmSaREBHzSs5V8POMeLDU7Nl8xW5PeY YnDYDBF5BFlT-GfLZY

[EstWRC]

about M-sport and their drivers...

cmon guys, its just the first and hardest event of the season, who knows what can happen rest of the season, i really hope they get some really good results too.


Also today first two stages showed why shakedown is vital, to iron out all the small problems which some of the guys had. Maybe Suninen had also gone a tad slower when he had got the feeling on shakedown.

[EstWRC]

Colin and David about Day 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grvcEQgPyhU

[TypeR]

Have I missed something or where is Adamo?

[Sulland]

What is the weatherforcast and roadconditions for tomorrows stages?

[EstWRC]

What is the weatherforcast and roadconditions for tomorrows stages?

From what we have learned, tomorrow's stages will be difficult.

The SS3 has some areas with a lot of snow, as opposed to the SS4, while the SS5 mixes dry sections and others with some snow.

Keep in mind that tomorrow it will rain in Gap.


https://twitter.com/MundoRallyes/status/1352347039221350406?s=20


but i guess we will be smarter in the morning

[T16]

"I must say that this day went quite well, underlined Thierry Neuville at the microphone of WRC All Live. Everything was quite new for Martijn in the car, these WRCs are very fast. We did not really know what is going on. wait, because we didn't have a shakedown or practice session together to prepare. But in the end, everything went pretty well, we just lacked a little communication because the sound of the intercom was not great. We have to improve on this point throughout the weekend. But Martijn did a very good job, I was able to drive at a pretty good pace, without taking big risks. The main objective was to be at the finish of this first day, maybe we lost a little too much time in the last special of the day, but I rode at my own pace, I felt comfortable. Tomorrow will be a much longer day, more tricky too, and the choice of tires will be more complicated! But we are looking forward to it. It will not be easy, but o We will pursue our goal while trying to further improve our collaboration, so that everything is perfect at the end of the day tomorrow! "

https://www.rtbf.be/sport/moteurs/rallye/wrc/detail_thierry-neuville-satisfait-de-sa-journee-un-bon-rythme-pas-le-moindre-gros-risque?id=10679455&fbclid=IwAR0x5KU9HEwmSaREBHzSs5V8POMeLDU7Nl8xW5PeY YnDYDBF5BFlT-GfLZY

You're not making sense. both quotes you have posted indicate that Neuville IS happy with how it went. You initially posted that he wasn't happy with how it went.... didn't you?

[Rally Power]

Nice first day of the season. Hats off to the ACM for taking the rally to the road and to the French authorities for allowing it.

[dimviii]

You're not making sense. both quotes you have posted indicate that Neuville IS happy with how it went. You initially posted that he wasn't happy with how it went.... didn't you?

''we have to improve on this point through the weekend''

''while trying to further improve our collaboration, so that everything is perfect at the end of the day tomorrow! "

what do you undertand from these quotes?
that they will try to fix the intercom for all the weekend?

[T16]

''we have to improve on this point through the weekend''

''while trying to further improve our collaboration, so that everything is perfect at the end of the day tomorrow! "

what do you undertand from these quotes?
that they will try to fix the intercom for all the weekend?


I see the bit where he says everything went pretty well.

The results say so too.

[dimviii]

I see the bit where he says everything went pretty well.

The results say so too.

come on,you know that he cant say the truth,but he has to ''smooth'' it.

[dimviii]

Mads Østberg
@MadsOstberg
·
19m
In Monte working as expert commentator for @OfficialWRC
Thank you for all your amazing feedback today rallytwitter

Really enjoyed working with @kiribloore
Tomorrow I will join the lovely @Becsywecsy
in commentary
Studio microphone
Tune in!

[doubled1978]

come on,you know that he cant say the truth,but he has to ''smooth'' it.

Do you really think Neuville expected it to be perfect with no testing, no shakedown? Of course not, he’s merely saying what everyone knew would be the case, they need to work on the situation to make it better. Just because it’s not perfect doesn’t mean he isn’t happy given the circumstances.
I’m sure whatever frustration he has isn’t with today, it’s with the circumstances that have lead up to this.

[dimviii]

Do you really think Neuville expected it to be perfect with no testing, no shakedown? Of course not, he’s merely saying what everyone knew would be the case, they need to work on the situation to make it better. Just because it’s not perfect doesn’t mean he isn’t happy given the circumstances.
I’m sure whatever frustration he has isn’t with today, it’s with the circumstances that have lead up to this.

nobody said that their co operation will be perfect from km 1
I just answered to T16 that he said ''everything went pretty well''

[focus206]

It's obvious that Neuville can't push as much as usual for this event, even he said that 2 days ago, so for sure he didn't expect to be in front. "We have to improve" could be either an objective statement (= we need to improve because we worked very little together, we need to be faster but so far so good) or it could be that Neuville is disappointed because he was even slower/more uncomfortable than expected, but he's not criticizing Wydaeghe to not demoralize him. I tend to believe the first option, but I think it's not possible to know what Thierry truly means, so far.

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsSiW0VXIGgdVVt?format=jpg&name=900x900

[EstWRC]

Morning guys

from dupanton: SS3 conditions: SS3. The conditions should be roughly the same as yesterday: damp in the first 10km. Than they pass over the top of a mountain, with about 8km of ice(patches). Final 2km are damp again.

[dupanton]

You are too fast EstWRC :p Was just going to post it :)

[EstWRC]

what do you think about the tyre choice for the first one?

winter and super soft mixed? or only super soft?

[dupanton]

Certainly studs needed. 4studs is safe, 2 studs will be better for other stages normally. Top drivers have mostly 2 studs ;)

[EstWRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsSiW0VXIGgdVVt?format=jpg&name=900x900

is it really so?

i see from the maps that Ogier is first on the road and he is also first on the liason at the moment with Evans and Tänak too....all the rest are still at the service

[er88]

Usually this is counted as the first full day, so I just assumed it was still run in last years championship order.

Unless they've changed it due to it being a shorter Monte?

[Rally Hokkaido]

Usually this is counted as the first full day, so I just assumed it was still run in last years championship order.

Unless they've changed it due to it being a shorter Monte?

Confusing! I would call it Day 2 (as the commentators are saying), but that start list says Section 2 (of Day1).

[br21]

there was amended start list for today wirh WRC cars in yesterdays order and cars after them reshuffled

[EstWRC]

TYRES FOR THE MORNING LOOP

OGIER/LOUBET/TÄNAK/KATSUTA/EVANS/ROVANPERÄ:
4x super soft, 2x studded

SORDO/NEUVILLE:
3x super soft, 3x studded

GREENSMITH:
4 soft, 2 studded

[TypeR]

Couldn't post it as a photo, but startlist:
1. Ogier
2. Evans
3. Tänak
4. Neuville
5. Rovanperä
6. Sordo
7. Greensmith
8. Katsuta
9. Loubet
10. Mikkelsen

[EstWRC]

no picture from the first stage?

[Rallyper]

Morning guys.

[Mirek]

Bonjour! We're live :)

[EstWRC]

it seems actually pretty dry

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Morning all !

[cali]

Black ice detected

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

[AnttiL]

Good morning! Looking awesome to see the black icy stage in the dark!

This stage should have deep cuts which is untypical for Monte, not sure though if the snow preents it now.

[Mirek]

Icy patches now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nasty black ice.

[er88]

Very foggy at the start now. Thierry switched his big lightpod off

[EstWRC]

Very foggy at the start now. Thierry switched his big lightpod off

it has changed IMO....wasnt so for Evans or Ogier

[Rallyper]

Looked foggy for Neuville...

[er88]

it has changed IMO....wasnt so for Evans or OgierDoubly impressive first split for Neuville then, taking that into account

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville stsrted well.

[TypeR]

seems that Tänak threw his camera set out to save weight :D

[Mirek]

I really like this stage. Very hard one.

[EstWRC]

Ogier like always vry good on the slippery part

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans quite cautious.

[AnttiL]

Rovanperä retaining the good pace

[EstWRC]

Tänak lost a lot with the slippery part, damn

[Tauri_J]

Ott losing a lot

[Mirek]

Still no footage from Ott. Maybe a transmitter issue?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame no Ott pictures.

[EstWRC]

and Tänak lost the lead, i wonder what happened, puncture?

[AnttiL]

Greensmith already 13.2 down at first split

[Rallyper]

It´s all about bravery or tyre choice.

[AnttiL]

and Tänak lost the lead, i wonder what happened, puncture?

just being careful

[er88]

just being carefulToo careful

[EstWRC]

just being careful

pfff, that was too much careful

[Mirek]

The diffference between Toyota and Hyundai onboards is staggering. The cars can't be more different to drive judging by the onboards.

[AnttiL]

Kalle in the ditch slightly

[EstWRC]

i wonder if Ott was telling the truth, he was lookin at the dashboard very much, we will see

[EstWRC]

Kalle leading the rally and its Toyota 1-2-3

[AnttiL]

Sordo with big time loss

[Mirek]

Sordo in some problems. Suspension not straight?

[EstWRC]

terrible stage for Hyundais

[er88]

Kalle is just so impressive. Could be a huge threat this season to the top 4 drivers....

[AnttiL]

Sordo in some problems. Suspension not straight?

I would say camera is not straight.

Split with 3 minute loss was wrong.

[Rallyper]

Loubet slowest at first split

[Mirek]

I would say camera is not straight.

Split with 3 minute loss was wrong.

From what he said, the problem sits between the steering wheel and the seat.

[AnttiL]

From what he said, the problem sits between the steering wheel and the seat.

But the camera on Sordo's car is not straight. That's why they thought he has a puncture or something, especially with the faulty split time.

[Rallyper]

But the camera on Sordo's car is not straight. That's why they thought he has a puncture or something, especially with the faulty split time.

The angle made the car looked like limping.

[Rallyper]

Now it´s in his mind as well. GG.

[AnttiL]

C'mon Gus, don't be mad, you are driving a WRC car, most of us are only dreaming of that!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nightmare stage conditions for any driver low on confidence.

[Mirek]

Watching Gus here is really painful. There were comparisons with 2005 season by Garde and Kresta but those two were actually able to win stages here and there and they were not loosing minutes on stages. IMHO they were actually quite competitive considering how many WRC cars were around that time.

[er88]

Not looking ideal for Neuville now for the next stages, if the reports are accurate about their conditions

[er88]

Watching Gus here is really painful. There were comparisons with 2005 season by Garde and Kresta but those two were actually able to win stages here and there and they were not loosing minutes on stages. IMHO they were actually quite competitive considering how many WRC cars were around that time.Wasn't Garde even leading the championship after the first two rounds? Before things fell away for him....

[EstWRC]

Not looking ideal for Neuville now for the next stages, if the reports are accurate about their conditions

was thinking the same, as i understand those stages are just damp

[Mirek]

Mikkelsen caught Loubet near the finish

[AnttiL]

Wasn't Garde even leading the championship after the first two rounds? Before things fell away for him....

I'd say throughout his career Garde had the same level as Lappi and Suninen, winning stages and getting podiums here and there but never having enough luck for a rally win.

[jonkka]

Wasn't Garde even leading the championship after the first two rounds? Before things fell away for him....

Yes, by one point over Markko Märtin after Rally Sweden. Lost that lead after third round, though.

[Mirek]

Solberg lost almost a minute compared to Mikkelsen.

Really good time for Bulacia.

[cosmin_sb]

Only Fourmaux keep close to Mikkelsen.

[AnttiL]

Gryazin (in addition to Mikkelsen and Fourmaux) now also past Greensmith, Taka and Loubet in the overall classifications

[RS]

I'd say throughout his career Garde had the same level as Lappi and Suninen, winning stages and getting podiums here and there but never having enough luck for a rally win.

Didn’t Lappi win on something like his third rally in a Yaris?

[RS]

Solberg lost almost a minute compared to Mikkelsen.

Really good time for Bulacia.

Judging by splits, Bulacia’s time looks weird.. unless he had better tyres for the last section.

[EstWRC]

classic Monte stage this was with splits also up and down expect Toyota drivers who had consistent split all the time.

Thierry fastest in split1, then lost a lot already on second split, then took time back again and lost again in the end. Tänak fastest till mid stage and then loses 18 secs to Ogier with the rest of it.

[AnttiL]

Didn’t Lappi win on something like his third rally in a Yaris?

I would say a bit of luck was involved.
Garde was also 2nd numerous times

[TypeR]

C'mon Gus, don't be mad, you are driving a WRC car, most of us are only dreaming of that!
He must have read this forum, that here are many faster and better guys, who could easily replace him...

[Mirek]

I would say a bit of luck was involved.
Garde was also 2nd numerous times

Also let's not forget there were around 20 WRC cars that time.

[Tauri_J]

What happened with Gus? Missed it

Was he just pissed that he was so slow?

[wwbroe]

What happened with Gus? Missed it

Was he just pissed that he was so slow?

Seems he was very disapponted

[jonkka]

Didn’t Lappi win on something like his third rally in a Yaris?

Fourth.

[Mirek]

He must have read this forum, that here are many faster and better guys, who could easily replace him...

Come on. He's driving WRC cars in a works team - in other words he joined the best of the best. What do you think people shall do? Cheering that he was 40 seconds slower that an R5 driver on a stage?

[EstWRC]

from dupanton: SS4 is mainly dry, some damp patches in middle of the stage

[Mirek]

Respectable times for Alpines in SS3!

[KKS]

Hi
Did Estonian splits dead this year?
Or any new other good spilts link?

[Mirek]

Ostberg commenting now

A lot of loose gravel on the road.

[Lead]

Ogier looks very aggressive in this one. My guess, goes for the push.

[EstWRC]

Ostberg commenting now

A lot of loose gravel on the road.

a lot of it on some corners already!

[Mirek]

a lot of it on some corners already!

IMO that's gravel put on the road instead of salt by the road workers. It's being done here in the winter on small roads (or in natural parks) too.

[jonkka]

IMO that's gravel put on the road instead of salt by the road workers. It's being done here in the winter on small roads (or in natural parks) too.

Gravel? Shouldn't they use sand for that?

[Rallyper]

Gravel? Shouldn't they use sand for that?

No just like in sweden. Small stones. Chopped. Nasty for windscreens...

[EstWRC]

Tänak lost a 5 secs between spl1 and spl2

[er88]

Evans lost 9s in a split. Must have had a moment

[EstWRC]

very weird splits so far apart from Ogier

[Mirek]

Gravel? Shouldn't they use sand for that?

Fine gravel. Like 0,5 cm size.

[EstWRC]

everybody is long massively to Ogier, wow


especially between spl2 and spl3

[Tauri_J]

Mister Monte at work

[Googol]

Was Kalle late, or why does he have 4 minute gap?

[meh]

Seems that Toyota makes it clear here...

[EstWRC]

Hyundais not going well so far at all

[Mirek]

Hyundais not going well so far at all

Also strange tyre choice for Neuville as Ostberg pointed out.

[Rallyper]

Yeah. Huyndai not made for Monte...

[EstWRC]

some engine issues on hairpins for Tänak

great! does the problems ever end for him?

[meh]

Tänak: Engine looses power in hairpins

[Mirek]

10 seconds penalty for Rovanperä for being late in TC.

[TypeR]

10s penalty for Rovanperä..
late for TC

[er88]

Shame for Kalle.

[EstWRC]

it was the middle part of the stage where Ogier made the differnce with others, after that at least Evans and Tänak came with the same speed as him

[AnttiL]

Kalle would lead without penalty, which came from fixing a car issue. Still kept the nerves on the stage!

[Sulland]

Very good to have a driver with current experience to add insight to what choices and consequenses from those the drivers struggle with.

[cali]

Kalle would lead without penalty, which came from fixing a car issue. Still kept the nerves on the stage!Kalle is doing exceptionally well. Monster performance

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

[Mirek]

Spin for Solberg

[EstWRC]

just 2 stages in but the Monte king showing his capabilites once again

https://www.ewrc-results.com/leg/41079-rallye-automobile-de-monte-carlo-2021/?leg=2

[wwbroe]

Poor performance by Abbring sofar

[Tauri_J]

Is my weather forecast dependable when it says heavy rain in the afternoon???

[EstWRC]

fro dupanton: SS5 conditions: a mix of dry and damp conditions. 1 or 2 corners with a small patch of ice. A lot of gravel on the road.

[EstWRC]

man what a slide from Tänak

[TypeR]

that's not a rally where you would want to look out from side window @150kmh :D

[Mirek]

Ostberg confirmed he would do WRC2.

[Tauri_J]

Love Mads's commentary, spot on and calm voice

[EstWRC]

Ogier again pulling a lot of time on slippery section

E. took 5 secs out of Evans and Tänak there

[Mirek]

Do I remember right that Ogier comes from somewhere around this stage?

I remember he basically won his first Monte Carlo on this particular stage in 2009(longer and all snow at that time).

[EstWRC]

nothing to say here, Ogier is just the king of this rally

whats weird about Tänak is that every stage he is really fast in the beginning and suddenly drops just so much time

[Mirek]

Spin for Neuville

[mknight]

Tanaks unexpected moment which surprised him brings me back to watching the latest Hyundai pre Monte test vids with exactly same question as I posted there:

Did Hyundai put so much power/bias to the rear to compensate for the understeer that that car now has lot of oversteer (possibly even snappy oversteer), kind of similar to C3 had?

[EstWRC]

ok Ogier is king but it seems he also had quite advantage here being first

[meh]

Actually quite nice save from Neuville. It may ended up a bit worse also.

[EstWRC]

Tanaks unexpected moment which surprised him brings me back to watching the latest Hyundai pre Monte test vids with exactly same question as I posted there:

Did Hyundai put so much power/bias to the rear to compensate for the understeer that that car now has lot of oversteer (possibly even snappy oversteer), kind of similar to C3 had?

dude, he just went onto the gravel part and thats why the slide.

[Tauri_J]

ok Ogier is king but it seems he also had quite advantage here being first

Obviously, Mads explained it very well

[Sulland]

Strange to be putting on 1 winter tyre.
Must be better to have two of those in the back, so you get a good turn from the fronts, but similar input from the rear. Must be hard having 1 each and adapt the driving in right and left corners.
If you take two winter in the rear, I guess you can adjust a bit in balance front rear.

[EstWRC]

Obviously, Mads explained it very well

i wish he would commentate on every rally, amazing to listen his insights and he has a very good explanations also why some drivers are gaining and why some are loosing

superb stuff

[er88]

Horrible tyre choice from Hyundai, on not just one car but two.

Been a poor loop for them, Kalle would be ahead of Ott as well if not for that penalty

[denkimi]

Strange to be putting on 1 winter tyre.
Must be better to have two of those in the back, so you get a good turn from the fronts, but similar input from the rear. Must be hard having 1 each and adapt the driving in right and left corners.
If you take two winter in the rear, I guess you can adjust a bit in balance front rear.
3 correct tyres are faster than 2 correct ones.

Think of it like this: would you like one flat tyre at the rear or would you prefer two?

Yes, it will be difficult to drive with one wrong tyre, but still faster than with 2 wrong tyres.

[T16]

Whats wrong with Greensmitht's car? Why is he braking so much?

[Augury]

Dani is totally lost in this rally, I wonder how Craig would have driven.

[meh]

To take in account road position, then Loubet is doing quite well. Hopefully is not doing Suninen here...

[Rally Hokkaido]

Whats wrong with Greensmitht's car? Why is he braking so much?

Wrong tyre choice - can't keep the harder compound in its optimal operating temperature

[er88]

Fourmaux doing well

[Sulland]

i wish he would commentate on every rally, amazing to listen his insights and he has a very good explanations also why some drivers are gaining and why some are loosing

superb stuff

Would be good, but he is not retired from the driving yet. He will be doing a full WRC2 series.
But he really is very good at explaining advanced issues in a simple way, so more people than us, that are above average interested in Rally. That is a important skill to hold as a expert commentator.
And it is a good thing that it is not a nativ speaker in english, makes it easier for the rest of us to grasp the message!! :-)

[Essaj]

Would be good, but he is not retired from the driving yet. He will be doing a full WRC2 series.
But he really is very good at explaining advanced issues in a simple way, so more people than us, that are above average interested in Rally. That is a important skill to hold as a expert commentator.
And it is a good thing that it is not a nativ speaker in english, makes it easier for the rest of us to grasp the message!! :-)

Also he is great with catching stuff happening live and doesn't get stuck on the meaningless stuff like all the main commentators on WRC+ seem to do all the time.

[dupanton]

Poor performance by Abbring sofar

Bad tyre choice and intercom problems

[CWJ]

intercom problems

No spare in car at this level? Mmmhh.

[dupanton]

There is one. But it cuts from time to time. They thought it was solved but it started again on last stage

[er88]

Tanak responding to Becs who asked why we haven't seen the usual Ott Tanak pace; "I've not been on pace for over a year"

[T16]

Tanak responding to Becs who asked why we haven't seen the usual Ott Tanak pace; "I've not been on pace for over a year"

Wow.. that the car or a legacy of the accident?

[er88]

Wow.. that the car or a legacy of the accident?Definitely don't think it will have anything to do with the accident, so must be the car or his own driving he's not happy with.

He certainly isn't as crushingly fast as he was in the Yaris. And he gets just as many technical issues as he got with the Yaris too, which is ironic as one of the mooted reasons he changed team was because of reliability issues.

[TypeR]

+ Adamo's answer that Ott is slow, should have been closer to the top..

Doesn't seem like the best relationship anymore.. smth fishy

[er88]

Yep, a few interesting comments in this media zone.

[Rallyper]

Ok. Tanak to Toyota in 2022 then...

[EstWRC]

you guys are takng these comments too seriously and making drama out of it.....

Adamo just said he thought Ott would be faster and suddenly there is something fishy?

[wyler]

how was that story of hiunday development by tanak? :D
yesterday he said car is way better than last year, but time aren't there. still, i think atm biggest difference is made by starting position and tyre choice (only rov gaining a bit from behind)

on tyre choice: can understand hyundai gamble hoping for more ice, but what about greensmith 4 softs???

[er88]

you guys are takng these comments too seriously and making drama out of it.....

Adamo just said he thought Ott would be faster and suddenly there is something fishy?Can't overlook the fact Ott has just admitted he hasn't had his same top speed, since he moved to Hyundai.

[AnttiL]

Ok. Tanak to Toyota in 2022 then...

Maybe the atmosphere in the Toyota team is now better...

[Sulland]

Mads going in as mental coach for Gus.

But he is right, he can not dig himself down in negativity, He is still a freshman, and should not be a number 1 in a team quite yet.
Find one or maybe two things that you can influence, and focus on those only. Many things are beyond his control, so useless to spend energy on!

[EstWRC]

Can't overlook the fact Ott has just admitted he hasn't had his same top speed, since he moved to Hyundai.

im not arguing against this. i think we can all see that, Ogier hasnt also been as fast and dominating as he was with VW, just some driver + car combinations work better than other combinations.

i havent also seen such a dominating speed from other drivers like Ott had with Yaris, only on couple of events like Evans in sweden last year and maybe Ogier in Mexico but he is always fast in Mexico no matter what car he is in.

anyway a long season ahead and we are just couple of stages in, too soon to tell anything.

[dimviii]

Guys yesterday wasnt Tanak faster?
What are you talking about now?

[mknight]

dude, he just went onto the gravel part and thats why the slide.

Dude, he said himself that it surprised him how the car reacted, now you know better than Tanak himself?




Tanak responding to Becs who asked why we haven't seen the usual Ott Tanak pace; "I've not been on pace for over a year"


how was that story of hiunday development by tanak? :D
yesterday he said car is way better than last year, but time aren't there. still, i think atm biggest difference is made by starting position and tyre choice (only rov gaining a bit from behind)

on tyre choice: can understand hyundai gamble hoping for more ice, but what about greensmith 4 softs???

Hyundai today is very different car than at end of 2019, takes just a few corners to see the massive difference. Last year when Loubet was running the 2019 spec you didn't even need a corner to see the difference a single braking was enough.

The question is obviously how far has the development gone. Yesterday in more "stable" conditions Tanak got 2/2 stage wins, while in Monza he did not get a single one. Today with more tricky stuff it might be that Hyundais sensitivity to perfect settings comes into play.

[EstWRC]

+ i would say it isnt Tänaks strongest and favourite event. His stage times have always been here up and down, fast on other, then not so fast on next stage

actually out of the bunch i would say Ogier and Neuville seem to really like and excel at this rally compared to others but thats just my feeling

[meh]

I'll use recommendation from Ostberg here... breath, guys, breath! :)

If threre is problem with car, Tänak usually is not revealing it. Maybe only later. Comments from Adamo and Ott were a bit weird, but Adamo didn't have a chat with Tänak yet. It's more important, what is Adamo's opinion and attitude after chat.

Last year Tänak got 0 points from Monte and probably they all have learned - if you don't know how many rallies you will have, you better bring home whatever amount of points compared to 0.

Hyundai 2 slides (Tänak and Neuville) could ended up a bit worse also. So far it's relatively ok.

[Eli]

Don't forget, Tänak didn't complete the event last year, Neuville has a new co-driver, and Dani hasn't done the Monte since 2018; so as some of you said, still early days.

[sti123]

Ott said yesterday, that the Pirelli tire worked well on a clean tarmac, but on muddy places he got many surprises. It takes your confidence away and that's it. Might be the combination of tires, differentials settings and stiffness which is not suiting him at the moment with dirty roads.

[wyler]

Dude, he said himself that it surprised him how the car reacted, now you know better than Tanak himself?







Hyundai today is very different car than at end of 2019, takes just a few corners to see the massive difference. Last year when Loubet was running the 2019 spec you didn't even need a corner to see the difference a single braking was enough.

The question is obviously how far has the development gone. Yesterday in more "stable" conditions Tanak got 2/2 stage wins, while in Monza he did not get a single one. Today with more tricky stuff it might be that Hyundais sensitivity to perfect settings comes into play.

calm down! listen to mads suggestion! : ) i've put a huge smile to show that it was an ironic comment. just reach the second line and you'll find a more serious and equilibrated response. i think road position and tyres are playing a big role. that's all.
also there's no doubt that current car is different to previous years, but maybe this change works well on some condition and less on other. as u more or less are also saying!

[Lead]

Its raining... the stages will get even more muddy and slippery. A lot of spins incoming.

EDIT: and possible punctures also.

[Mirek]

Gerbox change for Neuville, presumably for different gear ratios.

[Tauri_J]

Is my weather forecast dependable when it says heavy rain in the afternoon???

Guess it was right.

[EstWRC]

raining a lot now.

OGIER/KATSUTA/EVANS/GREENSMITH/ROVANPERÄ:
4x snow, 2x studded

SORDO/LOUBET/TÄNAK/NEUVILLE:
5x snow

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Really wet now - yet another test.

[logic]

Gerbox change for Neuville, presumably for different gear ratios.

What??

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gonna get really dirty.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ooof Ogier siding and a spin.

[Mirek]

Ogier spun and before almost went off.

[EstWRC]

oh man thats just so slippy and Hyundai drivers without studs

[er88]

Ogier all over the place here

[meh]

ooj ooj ooj (with Grönholm voice), I smell more dramas here.

[er88]

oh man thats just so slippy and Hyundai drivers without studsThe water all over the ice could cause chaos here. Hyundai with another poor tyre choice?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle stopped !

[EstWRC]

Rovanpera stopped, oh man

[er88]

Evans could take a lot of time here

[Mirek]

Rovanperä stopped just at the beginning.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle moving... phew.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Puncture explains it for Seb.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Seb had front left puncture
Did you see his sweating face at the end = hard work!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans could take a lot of time here

Huge.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

-34s for Evans.

[er88]

Ogier probably put in a mega drive to limit the damage with that puncture

[EstWRC]

Tänak doing great with these tyres

[AnttiL]

Rovanperä lost 36 s

[itix]

I don't understand Mikkelsen. He only seem to preform when he does not have a secure seat and his career seem to be at stake.

[Rallyper]

"Hard to see tyre temperature on the stage" I think Thierry said.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle was off on that muddy cut.

[AnttiL]

I don't understand Mikkelsen. He only seem to preform when he does not have a secure seat and his career seem to be at stake.

Hyundai just didn't fit his driving style. The level of driving which gives you dominance in WRC2 doesn't automatically make you win rallies over Ogier, Neuville and Tänak. Everything needs to be perfect.

[Mirek]

Kalle was off on that muddy cut.

Now Gryazin likely went off in the same place. He continues as well.

And now also Camilli.

[meh]

Ice is melting and road is getting faster? Like it was in Monza where RC2 car took stage win.

[Tauri_J]

wow Taka showing some pace

[AnttiL]

Good time from Katsuta

[er88]

Well done Taka. Nice to see

[Mirek]

Bulacia stopped.

[Rallyper]

Oliver same speed as Mikkelsen between spl 2 and 3