[WRC] Ardeca Ypres Rally 2022

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Only the overshoot this morning by Neuville has given the others any chance.

[seb_sh]

Neuville praising the weather guy, is that still bluuford ?

[EstWRC]

Neuville praising the weather guy, is that still bluuford ?

For Ott is. Dunno if for Thierry too

Evans got 10 seconds penalty.

[jonkka]

Evans hit with 10s penalty for being 1 min late?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans got 10 seconds penalty.

Bummer... that's not what we needed for the battle.

[Sergiow]

At high speed, one wants to avoid hitting anything at all.

From https://www.rallylovers.be/, SS6 neutralised (Citroen nr53) http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_08_2022/post-157-0-77275200-1660924417.jpeg

http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_08_2022/post-157-0-74243400-1660924426.jpg

#32 too
https://www.rallylovers.be/LIVEFOTO/RL_120220819171822.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

How things have changed. After day 1 in 2021... Breen was in 2nd 7sec off Neuville.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/69179-renties-ypres-rally-belgium-2021/?s=322900

[Eli]

How things have changed. After day 1 in 2021... Breen was in 2nd 7sec off Neuville.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/69179-renties-ypres-rally-belgium-2021/?s=322900

Different car, different team and for once doing a full season, wish the season would be (much) better though.

[Integrale]

Linnamae offhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220819/c581d86ae90d39021c3f7cb090f1d090.jpg

[mousti]

Very spectacular as always, but was afraid it would end like this..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220819/ea08cc3119c262ae843d2cee426a3eea.jpg

Verstuurd vanaf mijn 2201123G met Tapatalk

[eib1]

Rovanpera repairs:

https://www.facebook.com/ChristianWRCRally/posts/pfbid02UBfYm65uZroE7hX8K6szPeNq8639nmWJ3UCDF8HqYWP bd4kRWWNGpyw33gsLA9Til

[EstWRC]

Linnamäe crash https://youtu.be/OdK8dKmO1e0

[TypeR]

Linnamäe crash https://youtu.be/OdK8dKmO1e0
Right front instant puncture after cutting previous corner? Bumper touchibg the road and wheel seems in weird position..

Rovanperä on tomorrow's startlist, so he can go for PS points

[Lead]

Linnamäe crash https://youtu.be/OdK8dKmO1e0

It seems he had a puncture just before that corner.

[focus206]

Didn't expect such an early off by Kalle, but nothing to worry about for him, inexperience. And when you consider that Ypres probably won't stay in the calendar, as FIA is transforming WRC into World Gravel Rally Championship...
Let's see if Hyundai can bring it home.
More and more disappointed by Breen and Fourmaux.

[Galev62]

‼️ Update: Unfortunately we have to retire the rally due to an engine issue. Life is hard, but sometimes rally is harder. 🫤
Jari Huttunen shit luck Continues. How M sport cant build proper cars i dont understand. They wont probably give him another chanche😡😡😡

[Lead]

Didn't expect such an early off by Kalle, but nothing to worry about for him, inexperience. And when you consider that Ypres probably won't stay in the calendar, as FIA is transforming WRC into World Gravel Rally Championship...
Let's see if Hyundai can bring it home.
More and more disappointed by Breen and Fourmaux.
Fourmaux actually was doing pretty well until he hit heavy rain in ss4 (lost almost 1min to that) what seemed to crushed his confidence.
Breen... well... nothing special again, the wrong tyre choice in afternoon loop didnt help him either. But yeah, expected more of him but that could be said about all his season so far.

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/hjDIDaB983c

https://youtu.be/SyheuM62Dt8

[Scaha]

Fourmaux actually was doing pretty well until he hit heavy rain in ss4 (lost almost 1min to that) what seemed to crushed his confidence.
Breen... well... nothing special again, the wrong tyre choice in afternoon loop didnt help him either. But yeah, expected more of him but that could be said about all his season so far.

I loved that Fourmaux found his speed and I feel sorry for him hitting in that rain. Could have been in a fight.

[EstWRC]

Morning.

Dry and sunny as I understand from Twitter

[Sergiow]

Morning.
Dry and sunny as I understand from Twitter

Good morning, dry and sunny indeed. For my money Evans is the favorite today, because yesterday he did the last 2 stages with a rain tyre upsetting the balance but only losing minimal time + 10s penalty. So clearly a lot of potential in that Toyota. But as he said in the DirtFish interview yesterday: "“It’s a long way to go, big, big day tomorrow so we have to continue to learn, to enjoy the stages and see what’s possible,”

[EstWRC]

My money is on Neuville

Kalle is in box seat to win most of the stages today with the clearest road

[eib1]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Falvk80X0AIZ6rn?format=jpg&name=small

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What a job by the team to repair the car of Rovanpera. Epic work !

[Tauri_J]

Is it me or some people are really close to the road on some dangerous places?

[EstWRC]

Great stage from Tänak

[er88]

Neuville always seems to wake up slowly

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville just steady to start with but happy with the car so expect a push.

[dimviii]

Mikkelsen took 6,9 from Lefebvre

[Tauri_J]

Formaoux saved by a bale.

[EstWRC]

Very nasty stage with very deep cuts, cars bouncing

[erikli2]

M-sport needs 3 new drivers.

[Päss1928]

Breen at it again.

[Tauri_J]

Disaster for M-Sport again.

Need new drivers badly.

[jonkka]

Disaster for M-Sport again.

Need new drivers badly.

Are there any decent alternatives available?

[rp]

Are there any decent alternatives available?

No. Only Loeb.

[EstWRC]

Breen has crashed on 3 events straight which should have been his best

Ridiculous

[Tauri_J]

Mikkelsen?

[Tauri_J]

Think it Will be canceled

[Eli]

Very nasty stage with very deep cuts, cars bouncing

And 3 M-Sports (almost) out.

[Eli]

Breen has crashed on 3 events straight which should have been his best

Ridiculous

So based on that 4 good results in the rallies which he has little experience? Needs it badly now.

[TWRC]

At this rate almost anybody could improve them - Mikkelsen might be a very good bet, but there might be others who could help them on some occasions (Kopecky on tarmac maybe?)

[Tauri_J]

If this continues, Neuville has tyre disadvantage

[jonkka]

Mikkelsen?

Decent? Nah...

[Rallyper]

In a deep perspective I would say even Olivers mistake in Finland is in the room of what happens on top level. Mistakes, failures of any kind...

Sh*t happens to everyone it seems.

[er88]

They waved the white flag before the season started. Hard to feel sorry for Msport I'm afraid

[EstWRC]

Tänak saying he has some kind of transmission issue, hopes to get through

[SubaruNorway]

My god, stop blaming the missing hay bale Julian...

[krissucool]

Bloody Julien with his hard-on on the hay bale. He seems to have some serious obsessive compulsive issues. I am sure we will hear a lot on the mistery on of the missing hay bale in the service park and second pass. Bloody hell.

[erikli2]

They changed the gearbox in Olivers car last night, same issue as Ott is facing perhaps.

[cali]

My god, stop blaming the missing hay bale Julian...Yeah, Fourmaux kicked the bales off to the ditch and there's was nothing saving Breen's massive understeer. Nice pace though from Craig til then...

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[Sergiow]

Seems like some people picked the hotspot of SS 10 stage

Fourmeaux https://www.rallylovers.be/LIVEFOTO/RL_120220820112521.jpg

Breen https://www.rallylovers.be/LIVEFOTO/RL_120220820113135.jpg
Plain scary heli images from the Breen accident. With all that frenzy, to me it seemed that the co-driver was still trapped in the car ... very moving how Breen was hugging that spectator ...

[EstWRC]

Not the best stage from Ott and couldn’t understand if he still has the transmission issue

[er88]

Neuville is awake

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville just steady to start with but happy with the car so expect a push.

There it is... he re-takes the lead.

[EstWRC]

great stage from Thierry

next one is long 22km, wouldnt be surprised if Evans tooks Tänak with it

[EstWRC]

Pfffff, Tänak survives

[er88]

Thierry stretching his legs

[Eli]

Pfffff, Tänak survives

Inconsistent 4 wheel drive, so transmission not delivering the power to all wheels all the time I’m guessing, hopefully the can fix it in service.

[EstWRC]

Thierry stretching his legs

battle for lead over, hat off to him, what a a time

[er88]

Haha Neuville throwing shade at Tanak. "I don't think he really has problems. If he has problems I have 3 cylinders"

Banter, or the start of the rivalry we haven't yet seen between them? (mainly due to Hyundai issues)

[cali]

Easy, it's Neuville's rally. Surprised that Tänak is even that close to him. Tänak having issues or not doesn't matter. More like diff setup I'm guessing

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[wyler]

latvala as well thinking tanak is exaggerating on the issue...

italian media rumors:
toyota to decide between tanak and lappi for the next season. the un-choosen going to m-sport.

[EstWRC]

Neuville definitely had 3 cylinders in Estonia and Finland.....

Tänak to All Live in the media zone: " It has been more at the start and in hairpins. The differential does not lock up enough."

he was faster than both Neuville and Evans on first stage today, then suddeny started to loose more to them, dont think he suddenly forgot how to drive

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Any words yet from Breen about the crash?

[er88]

latvala as well thinking tanak is exaggerating on the issue...

italian media rumors:
toyota to decide between tanak and lappi for the next season. the un-choosen going to m-sport.Msport could've had/kept Lappi if they didn't try force him to pay for a 2nd consecutive season.

I also now don't get why Tanak would leave Hyundai. The car is improving and quick (despite not being stable). Msport act like they've forgotten how to be a proper team, won't pay him aswell, and have a history of falling behind in development. They are even having reliability issues and aren't super quick atm

[Eli]

Latvala as well thinking Tänak is exaggerating on the issue...

italian media rumors:
Toyota to decide between Tänak and Lappi for the next season. the un-chosen going to m-sport.

Wait, if Tänak leaves Hyundai, who'll replace him there?

[bandit12]

Wait, if Tänak leaves Hyundai, who'll replace him there?

Toyota does not need Tänak

[Eli]

Toyota does not need Tänak

Okay but if he leaves Hyundai, they'll (Hyundai) we'll need to replace him, with who?

[wyler]

Okay but if he leaves Hyundai, they'll (Hyundai) we'll need to replace him, with who?

solberg! :D

[cali]

latvala as well thinking tanak is exaggerating on the issue...

italian media rumors:
toyota to decide between tanak and lappi for the next season. the un-choosen going to m-sport.A little bit unbelievable if they are deciding between the 2019 champ, 2nd best driver at the current season so far, that guy who can squeeze everything out of the machinery and Lappi, who is a likeable chap, but average if you compare him with Tänak. Just funny :D

And the leftover goes to M-Sport (which Lappi has denied and for him it's TGR or nothing) :D

It's only possible if Hyundai pulls out of WRC which isn't really surprise if they did. Then the driver pack is really mixed and I feel sorry for Breen because he will definitely be out of a job in that case.

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[cali]

Wait, if Tänak leaves Hyundai, who'll replace him there?But if HMSG pulls out of WRC? No need to replace the drivers then...

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[cali]

Toyota does not need TänakWell it's game over for every other team then and it will be massive fight with Kalle and that will be the only single interesting thing in the WRC if that move goes through. The series would be dead for manufacturers.

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[wyler]

yeah, but assume (even if improbable) tanak is pissed with hiunday after the adamo's departurte and want to change.

you are toyota and the choice is:
- take a former champion and have an internal fight with kalle
- stay with lappi and a clear first driver.

both have downsides.

[cali]

solberg! :D5 years too soon :D

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[EstWRC]

Rumors from Italy…


Have heard them also before

[Eli]

But if HMSG pulls out of WRC? No need to replace the drivers then...

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I really hope they don’t or else it really will be just ridiculous.

[Eli]

Rumors from Italy…


Have heard them also before

Do they include Hyundai pulling out?

[jonkka]

Remember that all three teams signed a commitment to stay and compete for three years when hybrid rules were introduced in 2021 (https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/wrc-manufacturers-confirm-three-year-hybrid-agreement/).

[sinepikohv]

latvala as well thinking tanak is exaggerating on the issue...

italian media rumors:
toyota to decide between tanak and lappi for the next season. the un-choosen going to m-sport.

Where does this come from? The only Italian rally media I know is silent...

Nvm, found it: https://www.rallyeslalom.com/wrc-2023-tanak-in-toyota-e-lappi-tra-ford-e-hyundai/

[TypeR]

Already started to like Neuville, but now winning some stages, leading Tänak by 16s after SS12 and getting cocky..
wonder what was Neuville then doing in Estonia and Finland..

Tänak doesn't randmoly lose 6 and 10 seconds.. even if it is Belgium.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen car recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfICwDRLE0k

[seb_sh]

Solberg is actually doing a mature safe rally so far. The pace is not great but it's a better response than i expected after Finland. Still he has much to learn.

As for the rumors... Tanak already retired last year so he can't go to Toyota and Hyundai pulled out already last year so they are already not competing the Italians are late with the news.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mad splits - identical !

[becher]

Neuville definitely had 3 cylinders in Estonia and Finland.....

Tänak to All Live in the media zone: " It has been more at the start and in hairpins. The differential does not lock up enough."

he was faster than both Neuville and Evans on first stage today, then suddeny started to loose more to them, dont think he suddenly forgot how to drive

Not being fastest doesn't equate to forgetting how to drive, even a world champion is beaten from time to time without any special reason.

[EstWRC]

Bad second half of stage from Tänak, lost a lot of time

[becher]

solberg! :D

Petter!?

[cali]

Petter!?20 years too late :D

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[wyler]

Do they include Hyundai pulling out?

nope. at least not in the article i read. it just say tank not happy in hiunday after adamo.
(https://www.rallyeslalom.com/wrc-2023-tanak-in-toyota-e-lappi-tra-ford-e-hyundai/)

[Tauri_J]

Meeke is an option If they have enough spare parts or cars.

[WRCStan]

Mikkels...

:eek:
:arrows::grenade:

:rolleyes:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Or Breen back to Hyund.... :disturb:

[TypeR]

Two cylinders now?

[AnttiL]

Meeke is an option

No

[Sergiow]

SS15 Wijtschate 2
#16 Fourmaux Adrien - Coria Alexandre => Penalty 0:20 - Late (2 min) at TC

[eib1]

SS15 Wijtschate 2
#16 Fourmaux Adrien - Coria Alexandre => Penalty 0:20 - Late (2 min) at TC

stopped by police on road section

[Integrale]

Saw Fourmaux doing a handbrake U-turn around the roundabout after SS Dikkebus. Lots of traffic as well. Cop on motorcycle saw it and went after him. Stopped him 1km further.

[meh]

Neuville stuck, karma is a bitch?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He's OFF !!

[seb_sh]

Wow Neuville big merde!

[TypeR]

No cylinders..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So wunderkid Rovanpera went off and now local-hero Neuville... just shows it was no big shame for Breen to make a similar mistake here. Shit happens.

[Sproaks]

No way :eek:
Car broken as well? Didn't seem to be a big hit?!

[Rallyper]

as said, everyone does their mistakes.

[Eli]

Please let the podium places just bring it home, fingers crossed!!!

[eib1]

there goes my pickems... but i don´t care because ott is leading #goOTT

[Tauri_J]

No

I didnt said it was a sensible option :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

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

[rp]

Where are the fast and reliable drivers? Bring Loeb & Ogier back full time!

[skarderud]

I normal never put Neuville high on my pick'ems, he always do some fuckup.
Now i put him as a winner, and this happens.

Waste of seat, uncharming cocky brat.


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[Sergiow]

Where are the fast and reliable drivers? Bring Loeb & Ogier back full time!

Loeb hitting that bridge in Portugal is probably the most silly error this year
https://www-dirtfish.imgix.net/2022/05/IMG-20220520-WA0019.jpg?fit=scale&fm=pjpg&h=585&ixlib=php-1.2.1&q=70&w=780&wpsize=entry-main

And Ogier cannot handle the current Pirelli tyres so leave him alone

[Integrale]

I normal never put Neuville high on my pick'ems, he always do some fuckup.
Now i put him as a winner, and this happens.

Waste of seat, uncharming cocky brat.


Sent fra min SM-G950F via TapatalkPoor you

[meh]

Neuville stuck, karma is a bitch?

... or - karma is a ditch.

[Eli]

Just another reason proving why we need this event on the championship (assuming Germany isn’t coming back).

[Rallyper]

I normal never put Neuville high on my pick'ems, he always do some fuckup.
Now i put him as a winner, and this happens.

Waste of seat, uncharming cocky brat.


Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

Me also had Neuville and Tanak one two. But actually I´m only sorry for Neuville and the mistake he did.

[seb_sh]

Just another reason proving why we need this event on the championship (assuming Germany isn’t coming back).

Hehe yes, I miss Germany. Ypres needs a bit more variety of stages to be a WRC round imo, but so far it has filtered quite a few people out.

[skarderud]

Poor youNo, poor Hyundai that waste seat and resources on him.
In 7 years, or more.

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[Rallyper]

No, poor Hyundai that waste seat and resources on him.
In 7 years, or more.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

It´s Saturday evening, I know, but calm down a bit, please...

[becher]

No, poor Hyundai that waste seat and resources on him.
In 7 years, or more.

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He won them 15 rallies. Massive waste yes. For sure the people calling for him to be replaced by O. Solberg are right!

[TypeR]

angry Taka, no hybrid again

[meh]

When Taka is a bit angry, he speaks like a Finn. He have learned something in Finland :)

[skarderud]

He won them 15 rallies. Massive waste yes. For sure the people calling for him to be replaced by O. Solberg are right!No, Solberg is not ready.
Yeah, he wins some rallies, but also do this type of incidents.
The worst is his cocky attitude against his teammate, it is not a very nice person to make comments like that, it dont sounds like humor or irony, just a$$hole comment.




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[Eli]

Hehe yes, I miss Germany. Ypres needs a bit more variety of stages to be a WRC round imo, but so far it has filtered quite a few people out.

I miss it too but it doesn’t seem the FIA or the promoter are interested in bringing it back, but that’s a conversation for a different time for a different thread.

[seb_sh]

No, Solberg is not ready.
Yeah, he wins some rallies, but also do this type of incidents.
The worst is his cocky attitude against his teammate, it is not a very nice person to make comments like that, it dont sounds like humor or irony, just a$$hole comment.




Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

I didn't like the comments either and I think it's not the first time he does something like that. Even so for me it's good to have someone like that, i like that there's a villain and as you can see he also got karma. Furthermore he is one of the fastest drivers and those are few and hard to find.

[Rallyper]

I´m quite happy for Tanak´s sake. He deserves one more win.

[Tauri_J]

Damn thats a proper rivarly between Ott and Thierry

[skarderud]

It´s Saturday evening, I know, but calm down a bit, please...I'm at work, i don't need alcohol to mislike Neuville;)

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[meh]

Tänak made clear his vision on Neuville's comments towards him: "we should not fight inside the team, we should fight with others"

[Sproaks]

I didn't like the comments either and I think it's not the first time he does something like that. Even so for me it's good to have someone like that, i like that there's a villain and as you can see he also got karma. Furthermore he is one of the fastest drivers and those are few and hard to find.
Ott didn't liked it either :D

[cali]

Tänak made clear his vision on Neuville's comments towards him: "we should not fight inside the team, we should fight with others"It's a good and calm comment and spot on.

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[dimviii]

Tänak made clear his vision on Neuville's comments towards him: "we should not fight inside the team, we should fight with others"

"I don't really know. Like [Neuville] said before that probably I don't have an issue. It's a shame what happened, but I think inside the team we shouldn't fight with each other - we should be fighting the others. I don't know what he was thinking."

[skarderud]

I didn't like the comments either and I think it's not the first time he does something like that. Even so for me it's good to have someone like that, i like that there's a villain and as you can see he also got karma. Furthermore he is one of the fastest drivers and those are few and hard to find.If you can delivers comments with some humor, it's cool and fun, but this is not at a level a profesional athlete and a guy some people look up to should be at.
If i was the teamboss Adamo would look like a smal girl in my sum up of the rally.

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[EstWRC]

what a day, unbelievable drama all around, pfuh

[dimviii]

Lefebvre managed to make 21 sec gap to Mikkelsen.

[krissucool]

Will probably get the MSport seat now or Thierry's seat in Hyundai. Heard it here first.

[Tauri_J]

Will probably get the MSport seat now or Thierry's seat in Hyundai. Heard it here first.

Who?

[krissucool]

Who?

Lefebvre

[Sergiow]

Thierry Neuville reacts after his retirement from the Ypres Rally

"Obviously I'm very frustrated. It's one of the biggest disappointments of my career because I was in front of my home crowd. I came into that right-angled left and took the rope well, but I I slipped on dust that wasn't there on the previous pass, nor in the corrections of my openers. It must have been deposited by the two or three cars in front of me. I slipped and fell in a small ditch. The spectators managed to get me out of the hole but the right front wheel was bent and there was no way to continue. It's really a shame. We'll leave tomorrow to try to score some points but the heart doesn't keep going. is more."

[TypeR]

Julian said on AllLive that, some 3y ago Neuville told him that if he ever wins the WDC, he wants to do it the proper way, not in false way like some people recently, haven't win it correctly..(referring to Ogier)
Pretty bs.
Any driver would pick ,,teammates +3p help and a title'' to some points behind and 2nd place..

[seb_sh]

Julian said on AllLive that, some 3y ago Neuville told him that if he ever wins the WDC, he wants to do it the proper way, not in false way like some people recently, haven't win it correctly..(referring to Ogier)
Pretty bs.
Any driver would pick ,,teammates +3p help and a title'' to some points behind and 2nd place..

Don't worry, there is only a small chance that he will ever win a WDC.

[DrLill]

A very interesting day. Shame that Neuville continues to be toxic whenever he can. At some point, I almost liked him and thought that he has changed, but yeah, Neuville is Neuville. Happy for Tänak but one long and stressful day is still remaining. Would be nice if he scores 30p from Belgium, but probably he will take it easy during the PS if he can. 8.2 seconds is just small enough that you cannot really relax and have to push, but fingers crossed that he will score his third win in the season tomorrow. Hyundai in general seems quite competitive on the tarmac here.
I am not sure, but if Tänak wins tomorrow, is he the first who has won on the tarmac with Hyundai since 2017 besides Neuville?

[Tauri_J]

https://www.ewrc-results.com/quickp/73805_rl_120220820163750.jpg

Jos the Boss

[doubled1978]

Let’s be honest, this was a bad error when he had a decent gap to Tanak.
I like Neuville as he is usually good value, but I do fear that a Championship will elude him because he is prone to dropping the ball at bad moments.

On another note, let’s give a bit of credit to Oliver, he has had a solid day and hopefully will return a decent result for the team.

[Eli]

Yes, that is correct.

Edit: forgot to reply on quote, would appreciate if someone deletes this post instead, thanks!

[Eli]

A very interesting day. Shame that Neuville continues to be toxic whenever he can. At some point, I almost liked him and thought that he has changed, but yeah, Neuville is Neuville. Happy for Tänak but one long and stressful day is still remaining. Would be nice if he scores 30p from Belgium, but probably he will take it easy during the PS if he can. 8.2 seconds is just small enough that you cannot really relax and have to push, but fingers crossed that he will score his third win in the season tomorrow. Hyundai in general seems quite competitive on the tarmac here.
I am not sure, but if Tänak wins tomorrow, is he the first who has won on the tarmac with Hyundai since 2017 besides Neuville?

Yes, that is correct.

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/XylFH_VxyUo

https://youtu.be/aFehxXwKBrI

[AnttiL]

Whole last year's Ypres podium trio has crashed out this year. And each no1 driver of their team (you could say Neuville was no1 for this rally at Hyundai)

[macebig]

Would be interesting to see if the "micro drama" that took place with Hyundai today and costed Neuville in the end escalates. Now, the less said about Breen the better. He only had to keep the car on the road for an easy top 5 (and potentially a podium) but he screwed up royally chasing windmills...

[focus206]

No, poor Hyundai that waste seat and resources on him.
In 7 years, or more.


lol
funny thing is, he could crash for all the remaining rallies of the season and teams would still pick him. You know why? Because nobody thinks "Neuville won't win a WDC so let's pick a driver even less likely to do so and that at the end of the year will have half of his points". So unless you pick a world champion instead of him, good luck wasting a seat on someone better.

I'm not really surprised, instead. This season has been too bad for him, it will be hard for him to win a single event.

[meh]

Would be interesting to see if the "micro drama" that took place with Hyundai today and costed Neuville in the end escalates.

I'm not sure how micro it is. Maybe it is quite strong inside but have not popped to the public so far, because they have had common enemy (not working car) so far and that's why there was impression, that they actually can work as a team.

[EstWRC]

Evans was pushing like hell, scary to watch his onboard

[skarderud]

lol
funny thing is, he could crash for all the remaining rallies of the season and teams would still pick him. You know why? Because nobody thinks "Neuville won't win a WDC so let's pick a driver even less likely to do so and that at the end of the year will have half of his points". So unless you pick a world champion instead of him, good luck wasting a seat on someone better.

I'm not really surprised, instead. This season has been too bad for him, it will be hard for him to win a single event.Bombshell: Neuville will never be a WDC. He is not good enough. Why do you think Hyundai hire Tänak? Everyone understand that, even Neuville.

The problem here is that he seems to be a bad teamplayer, he is close friend to Mikkelsen, maybe he to is a bad teamplayer? I don't know.

The best rallydriver has probably not got the chance to show his/shes level at all, do to budget or other things. We will never know eighter.


Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[rallyfiend]

Bombshell: Neuville will never be a WDC. He is not good enough. Why do you think Hyundai hire Tänak? Everyone understand that, even Neuville.

The problem here is that he seems to be a bad teamplayer, he is close friend to Mikkelsen, maybe he to is a bad teamplayer? I don't know.

The best rallydriver has probably not got the chance to show his/shes level at all, do to budget or other things. We will never know eighter.


Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

If anyone is a bad team player it's Tanak.

Slamming his own team / car while taking all the cash is horrific behaviour.

[spyros]

Morning,calm down guys if Hyundai pull the plug then both of them will find their drives,until then lets focus to the fight.Tanak vs Evans.

[cali]

If anyone is a bad team player it's Tanak.

Slamming his own team / car while taking all the cash is horrific behaviour.You mean Neuville hasn't slammed the car?
Tänak hasn't slammed the team, more he is pointed that the management isn't doing the job needed. The workshop team has always received the praise.
And the car is a dog to drive though they have improved the pace tremendeusly for now.

And I doubt Neuville is making any less than Tänak. Both these guys are performance driven anyways and after 2 humiliating rounds I guess Neuville felt that it's time to play mind games, didn't go well. That crash was really bad for the team and TGR gets again better points from this rally.

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[skarderud]

Quite narrow that part in the forrest there.
But its quite many similar corners in this rally:)

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[meh]

At least there is fight for the win, without that it would be boring like hell.

Really hope Tänak takes it, at the same time Evans deserves it as well - 6.7sec from the lead but have 10sec penalty from stupid mistake.

[Tauri_J]

Oh dear Formaoux :(

[cali]

Disaster for M-Sport

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[Eli]

I know we’re always blaming the drivers, but isn’t Richard Millener also responsible for the situation?

[TypeR]

No heli live picture from crash place..

Fourmaux should take a break for some rallies.

[EstWRC]

I was afraid of that place, Taka also had a wobble there, gravel straight on the line and flat out speed

[Tauri_J]

I know we’re always blaming the drivers, but isn’t Richard Millener also responsible for the situation?

What do you mean?

[Galev62]

This is what happens when you put drivers with not enough experience/or talent to Rally 1 cars. Time for M-Sport to give Huttunen a chanche in Puma? Probably not because he hasnt got enough money…

[Eli]

What do you mean?

When Malcolm was there, when a driver(s) had bad spells, there would be consequences, they wouldn’t continue as normal.

[krissucool]

What do you mean?

A leader is always responsible for the performance of his team.

[TypeR]

What do you mean?

Obviously Rich does their notes and makes mistake/crashes on stages..


No information makes a bit nervous.. Fourmaux was ok, but co-driver? Front right hit the post..?

[meh]

A leader is always responsible for the performance of his team.

... or at least bad hiring decisions.

[jonkka]

A leader is always responsible for the performance of his team.

True - if leader has actual power to make decisions. I mean, we don't know to what extent Millener is just Wilson's puppet and how much authority he has in regards of budget, personnel and contracts.

[meh]

If to remember "old days", should we predict Neuville's interview after powerstage... will it contain some phrase with meaning that "actually I was the fastest / best guy and deserve the win"?

[EstWRC]

Fourmaux car still on the road I see from maps

[Tauri_J]

I bet Millener hates these interviews and giving excuses.

[krissucool]

I bet Millener hates these interviews and giving excuses.

No, I think he loves them. Wouldn't you?

[Galev62]

No he is not responsible. Malcom is but he cant do anything because these drivers pay a lot of money that he doesnt have right now. It costs a lot to devlop this kind of car. I think that they are just cash strapped and have to keep these drivers because of it. Corona hit M-sport hard they had some bentley touringcar project coming but it was all cancelled and they lost a lot of money because of it. Also they invested a lot of money to Msport poland and the rally 3 hasnt been a world beating success yet. Their Rally 2 is worst of all and they dont have money or the people to devlop it. Its biggest problem is that its underpowered.

[EstWRC]

How long they are deciding? The car still hasn’t moved

There must be also regroup before PS stage with leading rally2 cars starting first

[Eli]

Stage starting now.

[TypeR]

So much late and still re-starting the stage..? PS also delayed then

[doubled1978]

Bad one from Fourmaux that, absolutely no need for it. Oliver had done enough on the previous one to call off the fight, this was only for 4th place not a win.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him benched for the next one, but it’s not just him, Breen must be shot to bits as well. At least Loeb is in for Greece.
Tough calls to make at Msport in the next few days.

[krissucool]

No he is not responsible. Malcom is but he cant do anything because these drivers pay a lot of money that he doesnt have right now. It costs a lot to devlop this kind of car. I think that they are just cash strapped and have to keep these drivers because of it. Corona hit M-sport hard they had some bentley touringcar project coming but it was all cancelled and they lost a lot of money because of it. Also they invested a lot of money to Msport poland and the rally 3 hasnt been a world beating success yet. Their Rally 2 is worst of all and they dont have money or the people to devlop it. Its biggest problem is that its underpowered.

So they do not have anything to be pissed off as well? They develop their car for paydrivers and average drivers and get exactly what they bargained for. All fair then.

[1988senna]

No he is not responsible. Malcom is but he cant do anything because these drivers pay a lot of money that he doesnt have right now. It costs a lot to devlop this kind of car. I think that they are just cash strapped and have to keep these drivers because of it. Corona hit M-sport hard they had some bentley touringcar project coming but it was all cancelled and they lost a lot of money because of it. Also they invested a lot of money to Msport poland and the rally 3 hasnt been a world beating success yet. Their Rally 2 is worst of all and they dont have money or the people to devlop it. Its biggest problem is that its underpowered.

Did Fourmaux pay the money also ? how much did he pay

[Portimao]

This is an absolute disaster for M-Sport.

[Takasanfan]

Yeh, I don't think that they can fall back on the drivers wages being the sole contributer to their issues. There are ways around the cost of the drivers wages.

Besides that, they have had quite a few silly technical issues this season. For example, the windscreen wipers have been consistently problematic. Even up to as recent as Friday with Breen.

Overall though, I feel like loubet should now be taking precedent over Formaux. I like Adrien and think he shows a lot of promise, but he could do with a spell in wrc2 to work out his tendency to fall to small mistakes.

Greensmith is not good enough and should become a full paying privateer if he wants to continue. I can't understand why he is in the team.

Breen should never have been hired as a lead driver. Its not his ability that is lacking, he just doesn't seem to have the bottle to lead a team. M-sport should be looking towards a new lead driver for next year. This year is over for them and I have to say, it has been very embarrassing.

[Galev62]

So they do not have anything to be pissed off as well? They develop their car for paydrivers and average drivers and get exactly what they bargained for. All fair then.
I think that Malcom thought that he would get more money from Ford EU and Ford USA but only recently Ford USA has helped in a some way. Also he believed In Breen like many others including me believed.

[Galev62]

Did Fourmaux pay the money also ? how much did he pay

Yes he pays every rally
Fourmaux is sponsored by redbull and FFSA (French Federation of Automobile Sport)
Greensmith his father pays (Crown Oil)
Loubet FFSA and i heard not sure that he has a big personal backer who made his money in oil business.
Breen and Loeb dont have to pay
Huttunen sponsors are Marcus Grönholm. Ksbr medium size company in Finland. Viita ex rally Driver Jari Viita and his logistic company

[Eli]

Does the power stage being at it’s scheduled time or have they pushed it back?

[meh]

Does the power stage being at it’s scheduled time or have they pushed it back?

Should start on time - for powerstage there is always extra time for regroup. And I think if TV stage is in danger, they could cancel previous stage.

[Tauri_J]

Interesting starting order. Rally2 top3 Will start before Rally1's top three.

[meh]

Interesting starting order. Rally2 top3 Will start before Rally1's top three.

This may be actually related with delay in previous stage

[Tauri_J]

This may be actually related with delay in previous stage

Yeah obviously

[EstWRC]

What the hell is this start list

[meh]

Neuville said Tänak misunderstood his statement. So we all did? :)

https://www.rtbf.be/article/en-vouloir-qua-nous-memes-il-va-falloir-quon-parle-avec-tanak-thierry-neuville-tres-decu-apres-sa-sortie-11051343

[meh]

Oliver at finish in 4th (by current state), well done!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great to see Chris Ingram getting some coverage. Good result for him.

[meh]

Hmm, based on ewrc: Ronvaperä got some penalty "0:30 - Late (3 min) at TC"

But after previous rule-games, is the penalty now added to PS time or how does it work?

[dimviii]

haha

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FarhRumXgAA9_8D?format=jpg&name=small

[jonkka]

Hmm, based on ewrc: Ronvaperä got some penalty "0:30 - Late (3 min) at TC"

But after previous rule-games, is the penalty now added to PS time or how does it work?

Rule says that penalty accrued on PS is added to final time on PS. Rovanpera's penalty came from time control 19, so it's not on this stage.

[dimviii]

Well done to Lefebvre,clearly faster this weekend.

[meh]

huuh, done for Tänak! epic :)

Awesome drive by Evans on PowerStage as well - one more spare, more used tired compared to Rovanperä and only 1.1sec lost.

[Eli]

Should’ve picked him as the winner, massive congrats, good to see him take back to back wins!

[1988senna]

Hmm, based on ewrc: Ronvaperä got some penalty "0:30 - Late (3 min) at TC"

But after previous rule-games, is the penalty now added to PS time or how does it work?

Will this 30 seconds affect Rov's PS result?? so no points for Rov

[meh]

Ott, Ott, Ott... remember the HAT!

[AnttiL]

What the hell is this start list

Fourmaux crash caused the previous stage to be late for WRC2 runners so they couldn't be in time for the power stage start.

[AnttiL]

Rule says that penalty accrued on PS is added to final time on PS. Rovanpera's penalty came from time control 19, so it's not on this stage.

And I think you also need to start on the position where organizers ask you to start, otherwise you cannot get PS points

[jonkka]

And I think you also need to start on the position where organizers ask you to start, otherwise you cannot get PS points

Yes, allotted start list position must be respected.

[EstWRC]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

unbelivable! Finally a tarmac win since 2019 Germany and with a Hyundai!

He is doing one of his best drives of his career this season IMO, at least IN Finland and Ypres.

Shame the car wasnt on this level already beginning of the season, would have been good title fight.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Really pleased for Moncet... time to give him the job at Hyundai full-time.

[EstWRC]

https://scontent.ftll2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/299786013_10159180136505678_256838554753403545_n.j pg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=t0N5KN-y_Y4AX8a7Sus&_nc_ht=scontent.ftll2-1.fna&oh=00_AT-QH32MvZOm4C7xLrO8_yulr08VOMw5YEKVI7uahkjqzw&oe=63069D37

[doubled1978]

Really impressive form from Tanak…I will be interested to see if Neuville can respond over the rest of the season. Looks from the outside like a smart move from Hyundai to dial a bit of understeer into the car of Oliver to keep the rear more stable, no mistakes and a good result..
Toyota, not much to say, Evans and Lappi did a good job and Rovanpera just one of those things.
MSport. This must be rock bottom, in some respects worse than last year. At least last year the car was slow, this car is decent but the drivers are throwing it at the scenery every chance they get. I hope for their sake things get better in Greece

[skarderud]

Really good from Tänak, not totally happy with car, but it's enough to win.
Oliver did a really good job, i didn't think he could do this in ypres after his finland-project.
Neuville, better not to say anything, some of his fanboys got butthurt...

Toyota did a good enough job.

Msport, where to start?
Catastropic is not word enough.

What to do rest of season? This joke has to end, i will say that most of former WRC and R5 drivers from the last years will do a better job.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[Danny0405]

Good drive by Tanak, not spectacular but really efficient and he is now 1 down from tying Latvala and Mikkola for top 10 wins all-Time; still a bit of a pity for Evans who could have gain some confidence with a win. Quite surprising that they were only 2 rally winners this season since Loeb’s MC victory.
Lappi did the job, not spectacular also but a good result that may change his future that was bleak before. Let’s see what he can do in Greece.
Also good job for Solberg, exactly what he needed and a bit of a surprise as, even if he is not bad on tarmac, it was not the best place for this and, as for Lappi, it could save his next season.

About Fourmaux, I don’t understand what they did; if he was sick, it is a complete non-sense to have tried to catch 4th, he should just have survived and finished for 5th. Team orders from M-Sport to catch 4th? Again time lost for him, he will have again to regain confidence in Acropolis. I told before that M-Sport should have sidelined him for one rally earlier in the season to try to make him understand, now all sounds lost for him. Acropolis sounds complicated to find a driver but they should think about this in NZ or Catalunya.

[bwallace]

some one can explain how fia allow to action like this when they telling that timer was not calibrated but the man jus blocking time wich is runing all time ?2304 https://www.part.lt/img/c3bc66fea570d892dc873aca8da08269963.png (https://www.part.lt/perziura/c3bc66fea570d892dc873aca8da08269963.png)

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/0fjGP5sxNz0

[bomber21]

Huge bravo to Hyundai for building a car that won two consecutive events!!!

[Eli]

Huge bravo to Hyundai for building a car that won two consecutive events!!!

& finally someone other than Neuville won with it on Tarmac, almost 3 years to the day since I saw them win in Deutschland.

[SubaruNorway]

Wow, look at Loriaux's FB post, not all well in that team it seems

[mknight]

& finally someone other than Neuville won with it on Tarmac, almost 3 years to the day since I saw them win in Deutschland.

Had to check this. It is actually the first time ever someone else than Neuville won on tramac with it.
They have been in WRC for 8 years. Tanak took 2,5 to get tarmac win. Loeb didn't manage even a tarmac podium in 1,5 years.

[Eli]

Wow, look at Loriaux's FB post, not all well in that team it seems

Couldn't find it, what's wrong?

[robertr]

Wow, look at Loriaux's FB post, not all well in that team it seems

What does it say? Cannot see his posts.

[Eli]

Had to check this. It is actually the first time ever someone else than Neuville won on tarmac with it.
They have been in WRC for 8 years. Tänak took 2,5 to get tarmac win. Loeb didn't manage even a tarmac podium in 1,5 years.

As I said, Tänak knows a thing or two about developing the cars, it's like they've never won in Finland until he came along, any team that will manage to get him for 2023 (assuming he won't retire all of a sudden) will benefit, a lot.

[mknight]

Good drive by Solberg. Exactly what he needs to be doing. Getting experience even when a bit slower.

At the same time finishing 1:40 behind Lappi shows how this speed is not enough to help Hyundai in manu champ.
Imo best for both would be to run Solberg in 4th car. They have 2 drivers already in the team to run in 3rd.

[SubaruNorway]

What does it say? Cannot see his posts.

Sad for Thierry but well done to Ott and the Team…
And to answer many questions… no, I did not go to the podium as Hyundai Marketing do not want me to represent the Team !
I m not good enough for them !!!

[skarderud]

Sad for Thierry but well done to Ott and the Team…
And to answer many questions… no, I did not go to the podium as Hyundai Marketing do not want me to represent the Team !
I m not good enough for them !!!Quite special. Lots is probably wrong in that team.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[AnttiL]

Had to check this. It is actually the first time ever someone else than Neuville won on tramac with it.
They have been in WRC for 8 years. Tanak took 2,5 to get tarmac win. Loeb didn't manage even a tarmac podium in 1,5 years.

Remember that the Rally1 car has little in common with the WRC car

[flat_right]

Sad for Thierry but well done to Ott and the Team…
And to answer many questions… no, I did not go to the podium as Hyundai Marketing do not want me to represent the Team !
I m not good enough for them !!!.

If true, that’s crazy!

[Gonek]

.

If true, that’s crazy!

For sure their marketing department has some good reasons for it.

[eib1]

lol :)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rallirahvas/permalink/2073235812858493/

[manthey]

I thought a better performance from Belgian's RC2, usually very fast. Verschueren, Bux, Loix...

[Danny0405]

To complete the M-Sport disaster, 4th time in a row that Katsuta finishes above the best M-Sport driver; and 6 out of 9 since the beginning of the season.

[mknight]

Talking about invisible people in RC2 you have above all Bulacia. Somehow understandable given his season so far and crash in first stage of the testing rally.

[meh]

lol :)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rallirahvas/permalink/2073235812858493/

"Hats off!"

[mknight]

To complete the M-Sport disaster, 4th time in a row that Katsuta finishes above the best M-Sport driver; and 6 out of 9 since the beginning of the season.

Saw the interview with Millener after Fourmaux crashed.

One interesting moment was he saying something like "there is only so many times we can praise mechanics for doing great job (when drivers don't)".

Problem is he has said things similar things like this a few times before.
But then a week or two later he always seem to meet (Malcolms?) budget reality and starts talking about good splittimes and developing drivers 5-10 years into the future.


I was thinking Fourmaux was doing reasonably well before the crash. At the same time the performance was still somewhat worse than his first rally in WRC in Croatia 1,5 year ago. On a "home" rally. The other reality check is the number of his championship points after driving every single round of the season.

[Eli]

They could use that 2 month break we had between Sweden and Croatia now, like Greensmith said, they need to switch off for a couple of days and see where they go from here (& that if by some miracle they manage to persuade Ott to join the team for 2023).

[Danny0405]

I was thinking Fourmaux was doing reasonably well before the crash. At the same time the performance was still somewhat worse than his first rally in WRC in Croatia 1,5 year ago. On a "home" rally. The other reality check is the number of his championship points after driving every single round of the season.

Well, yeah, reality is that he scores 9 points in 9 rallies, not even in top15 in standings and even behind Rossel and his 5 Rally2 outings. It’s even worse than Camilli’s 2016 season and Camilli had less Internationale experience and preparation when M-Sport gave him the drive (and we cannot say the car was better).
The only comparison I see for a while so far is Kubica (some speed potential but totally unable to do a clean full rallye).

Well, let’s tell the truth: it’s up to Red Bull to decide (it will be all about money) but, except a tremendous drive in Greece or New Zealand, I don’t see how he can be there next yearw

[AndersX]

Fourmaux has a raw speed and personality, plus French federation, market and Red Bull behind him. If I were team manager, I would stick to him - he seems to have what it needs. Many years ago, there were Pirelli Star drive Competition - you know, Tanak and Paddon came out of it in 2009. There was a guy named Ari Vattanen who was involved at certain level and he said one very important matter - raw, natural speed matters the most. Therefore Tanak won. And those who are familiar with Tanaks drive on early carrier, knows how many Pirelli's Evos and later cars he "scratched"...but the speed matters. FIA championships are packed today with good drivers, but just few have that raw, extra speed.

[seb_sh]

I enjoyed this rally, there were some nice fights and it was a though filter, even Neuville didn't make it.

One thing to note about MSport and their drivers, except for Monte whenever they get competitive times they have a mechanical issue or they go off. Is it maybe a limitation of the car and especially their testing strategy? Or lack thereof? Sure you can come up with explanations but it's getting to be too much of a usual occurrence. Are the drivers so bad or is there more to it? It kinda looks like the typical MSport under budget season. Just a thought.

Also Millener is just a talking head i don't give 2c of what he says anymore.

[AndyRAC]

I would doubt Red Bull back Fourmaux with too much money; it's more athlete support, etc He's done nothing to warrant any big money from them just yet; that will come later when he's won something.

[Eli]

I would doubt Red Bull back Fourmaux with too much money; it's more athlete support, etc He's done nothing to warrant any big money from them just yet; that will come later when he's won something.

So does that mean we won’t see him after Greece, or only be benched for the long haul rallies?

[steve.mandzij]

Fourmaux has a raw speed and personality, plus French federation, market and Red Bull behind him. If I were team manager, I would stick to him - he seems to have what it needs. Many years ago, there were Pirelli Star drive Competition - you know, Tanak and Paddon came out of it in 2009. There was a guy named Ari Vattanen who was involved at certain level and he said one very important matter - raw, natural speed matters the most. Therefore Tanak won. And those who are familiar with Tanaks drive on early carrier, knows how many Pirelli's Evos and later cars he "scratched"...but the speed matters. FIA championships are packed today with good drivers, but just few have that raw, extra speed.where is his raw speed? one stage win once every blue moon? can't say he's like Novikov, who was very quick and never finished; forumaux is much more often than not among the slowest 3 drivers.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[WRCStan]

I would doubt Red Bull back Fourmaux with too much money; it's more athlete support, etc He's done nothing to warrant any big money from them just yet; that will come later when he's won something.

I get the impression it's through his relationship with M-Sport rather than direct.

I also get the impression that if he was told to bring the car home without penalties or getting pulled over by the police - even if he finished last, he would still do his own thing.

Edit: Also, where is Loeb's 'coaching'? Being public might even help.

[Negaiss]

Exactly my thoughts too.

[Negaiss]

It is super hard to be Formaux fan, but he has to stay. He has zero results but he has that natural feel, natural capability, bravery and inner understanding about being fast in rally. If only there was a possiblity to give him a full season being allowed to go as fast as he can on every stage (=being allowed to destroy 13 cars), we would see surprises - new rally star.

[WRCStan]

5 second penalty for Lefebvre, on appeal from Toksport and Mikkelsen. https://data.app.sportity.com/79f7b957-b4e8-4877-9f05-c3f103fdb2fc/4a500efb-a266-46d4-ba83-cafb77d5f941_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2017.pdf

10 second penalty for Lefebvre, on appeal from Toksport and Mikkelsen. https://data.app.sportity.com/79f7b957-b4e8-4877-9f05-c3f103fdb2fc/173e8b8d-359c-40ad-9aca-2347cb1bb1e6_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2018.pdf

....

[AndyRAC]

I get the impression it's through his relationship with M-Sport rather than direct.

I also get the impression that if he was told to bring the car home without penalties or getting pulled over by the police - even if he finished last, he would still do his own thing.

Edit: Also, where is Loeb's 'coaching'? Being public might even help.

They provide some backing to M-Sport, however, he is a Red Bull athlete, and wears the coveted RB helmet.

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/athletes?rbcid=14829299995&utm_source=Adwords&utm_medium=g&utm_campaign=14829299995&utm_content=616782398297&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=red%20bull%20athlete&utm_campaign=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr4eYBhDrARIsANPywChe5FAZ02XtFuxVxaDK z2sDWVxCGI5JLQPQW2zJK1XAocYt-5JoDG8aAnqzEALw_wcB&filter.countryCode=FR,IE&filter.disciplineId=rrn:content:collections:871123 96-d1bf-47b2-a99d-6f583c390553

[steve.mandzij]

It is super hard to be Formaux fan, but he has to stay. He has zero results but he has that natural feel, natural capability, bravery and inner understanding about being fast in rally. If only there was a possiblity to give him a full season being allowed to go as fast as he can on every stage (=being allowed to destroy 13 cars), we would see surprises - new rally star.this reads as far-out as declaring the next world champion based on astrological readings and tarot cards...

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[TypeR]

5 second penalty for Lefebvre, on appeal from Toksport and Mikkelsen. https://data.app.sportity.com/79f7b957-b4e8-4877-9f05-c3f103fdb2fc/4a500efb-a266-46d4-ba83-cafb77d5f941_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2017.pdf

10 second penalty for Lefebvre, on appeal from Toksport and Mikkelsen. https://data.app.sportity.com/79f7b957-b4e8-4877-9f05-c3f103fdb2fc/173e8b8d-359c-40ad-9aca-2347cb1bb1e6_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2018.pdf

....

haha.. ,,I wiLl dOmInaTe iN WrC2!''
Beaten by almost 20sec.. I pRoTeSt!

After protesting still 3.1s behind and 2nd place 😁

[mknight]

5 second penalty for Lefebvre, on appeal from Toksport and Mikkelsen. https://data.app.sportity.com/79f7b957-b4e8-4877-9f05-c3f103fdb2fc/4a500efb-a266-46d4-ba83-cafb77d5f941_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2017.pdf

10 second penalty for Lefebvre, on appeal from Toksport and Mikkelsen. https://data.app.sportity.com/79f7b957-b4e8-4877-9f05-c3f103fdb2fc/173e8b8d-359c-40ad-9aca-2347cb1bb1e6_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2018.pdf

....


I smell bad blood from Liepaja last year, or maybe from Monte last year where got reported first for cutting, then subsequtenly 5 other cars got penalties as well.

Anyway good decision to keep results...

...unlike Liepaja last year.

EDIT: The place is at 4:50 in Lefevbres onboard of SS15, he has whole car of the road, but surely gained maybe 1s.

[mknight]

It is super hard to be Formaux fan, but he has to stay. He has zero results but he has that natural feel, natural capability, bravery and inner understanding about being fast in rally. If only there was a possiblity to give him a full season being allowed to go as fast as he can on every stage (=being allowed to destroy 13 cars), we would see surprises - new rally star.

It gets repeated forever that "it is easier to make fast driver reliable than a reliable driver fast"..... and then you look at Meeke and Duval who were as fast as anyone at that time and never got reliable.

[Eli]

Post-event Press Conference: https://www.fia.com/news/wrc-ypres-rally-o-tanak-be-honest-it-was-actually-quite-challenging-one


“Can we know if you are at the end of contract this year?
OT:
No, I have a contract for next year.”

[SubaruNorway]

Lefebvre gained about 0.8sec in that one cut, adds up over an whole event
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/mikkelsen-wins-protest-against-lefebvre-for-corner-cutting/

[Dontcut]

Post-event Press Conference: https://www.fia.com/news/wrc-ypres-rally-o-tanak-be-honest-it-was-actually-quite-challenging-one


“Can we know if you are at the end of contract this year?
OT:
No, I have a contract for next year.”

Olivier de Wilde, La Dernière Heure (BEL)
Question for Ott. In the Power Stage, Theirry said that he has some issues with the transmission. Do you believe him?
OT:
I don’t go this way.

Did you talk with him about what happened yesterday, about what he said?
OT:
Yeah we spoke about it, it was probably some kind of game. It was what it was, you know. Everybody as you know, are under a lot of pressure and Thierry had the most, fighting in front of his home crowd, trying to bring the win home. It is important and I have no problem with that.

Did you see where he went off. He said to us that he was surprised by the dust. You were three minutes in front of him and there was no dust. He said it was impossible to avoid. Did you put the dust there for him?
OT:
Are you from Belgium?

Yes