2023 WRC News & Rumours

[Rallyest]

Gerard is on the roll since yesterday. Lol https://twitter.com/wrcgerardquinn/status/1593183939061256192?s=46&t=K6KvMt65Yo7sxmrtVycIVA

https://twitter.com/WRCgerardquinn/status/1593183375119896576

And a picture of Tänak? Coincidence?? i think not :o :D :D

[focus206]

Shame for Breen, but he had his chance and failed it big time. Now a place opens up at M-Sport... I say Tanak at Toyota and Evans at M-Sport, especially now with all these Tanak + M-Sport pictures. But hopefully they're "real", would be great for the championship.

[lmmjvss]

Interesting!
Neuville-Lappi-Sordo/Breen
Kalle-Evans-Katsuta/Ogier
Tanak-Gus-Loubet/Fourmaux/Loeb
?

Poor Mikkelsen...
One could hope RedBull would pay for Tanak AND Mikkelsen for Msport but I doubt

[Rallyest]

Interesting!
Neuville-Lappi-Sordo/Breen
Kalle-Evans-Katsuta/Ogier
Tanak-Gus-Loubet/Fourmaux/Loeb
?

Poor Mikkelsen...
One could hope RedBull would pay for Tanak AND Mikkelsen for Msport but I doubt

Red Bull wont be paying anything for Tänak, since they dont have no good relations

[flat_right]

Red Bull wont be paying anything for Tänak, since they dont have no good relations

Is this real? Haven't heard this before.

[Rallyest]

Is this real? Haven't heard this before.

I think it was something when Tänak Was "Kraavi Ott" and they dropped the sponsorship, and later when he started doing good they wanted to get on that ship again, and Tänak sayd no

[mknight]

Breen leaving MSport just increases silly season uncertainties.

1.
a) Might point to Tanak (or Evans) to Msport which would be great for championship
or
b) Might point to "budget level" Msport with Loubet, Greensmith and few Loeb starts


In either case Hyundai is now collecting drivers kicked out by MSport (Suninen got kicked mid 2021, Breen now).

[sti123]

Dropped sponsorship? Red Bull has never been Ott's sponsor.

[Rallyest]

Dropped sponsorship? Red Bull has never been Ott's sponsor.

My bad, i think i rememberd it wrong, it must have been that way that when Ott needed their sponsorship when he wasnt a title contenter yet, they sayd no, and when they later offered it to him, then he sayd no

[Kenneth]

Breen leaving MSport just increases silly season uncertainties.

1.
a) Might point to Tanak (or Evans) to Msport which would be great for championship
or
b) Might point to "budget level" Msport with Loubet, Greensmith and few Loeb starts


In either case Hyundai is now collecting drivers kicked out by MSport (Suninen got kicked mid 2021, Breen now).

I don't see any reason why M-Sport would kick Breen if they don't have any replacement. It wouldn't make any sense and he isn't THAT expensive.

[cali]

I don't see any reason why M-Sport would kick Breen if they don't have any replacement. It wouldn't make any sense and he isn't THAT expensive.They have replacement

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak had Dirtfish sponsorship. Is this still going and could they bring some funding to assist an M-Sport deal ?

[Rallyest]

Tanak had Dirtfish sponsorship. Is this still going and could they bring some funding to assist an M-Sport deal ?

His dirtfish sponsorship ended last year

[seb_sh]

even if they didn't have replacement what sense does it make to keep him? 2 podiums for 6 crashes? also everyone else pays directly or through sponsorship.

[seb_sh]

So according to the latest rumors:

Hyundai will announce this week:
Neuville (confirmed)
Lappi (according to DF)
Sordo/Breen (according to DF)

MSport will announce later:
Tanak (according to Gerard Quinn posting on the nose hints on twitter)
others...

Toyota will announce next week:
Rovanpera
Evans (has contract)
Ogier/Loubet (rumors Loubet to Toyota and sharing car and co-driver)
Katsuta in 4th car

[Rallyest]

So according to the latest rumors:

Hyundai will announce this week:
Neuville (confirmed)
Lappi (according to DF)
Sordo/Breen (according to DF)

MSport will announce later:
Tanak (according to Gerard Quinn posting on the nose hints on twitter)
others...

Toyota will announce next week:
Rovanpera
Evans (has contract)
Ogier/Loubet (rumors Loubet to Toyota and sharing car and co-driver)
Katsuta in 4th car

So Ogier is Starting to train the next French legacy?

[cali]

So according to the latest rumors:

Hyundai will announce this week:
Neuville (confirmed)
Lappi (according to DF)
Sordo/Breen (according to DF)

MSport will announce later:
Tanak (according to Gerard Quinn posting on the nose hints on twitter)
others...

Toyota will announce next week:
Rovanpera
Evans (has contract)
Ogier/Loubet (rumors Loubet to Toyota and sharing car and co-driver)
Katsuta in 4th carJust change Evans and Tänak and you have the correct prediction

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[seb_sh]

Just change Evans and Tänak and you have the correct prediction

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

if Evans is out of Toyota, Hyundai might also jump on him then it gets complicated for Lappi.

[er88]

Surely it's better for Loubet to do a full season at Msport at this stage. He has the backing plus Msport should support him more.

Unless Toyota are offering him a multi year deal and progression plan beyond doing half a season

[er88]

if Evans is out of Toyota, Hyundai might also jump on him then it gets complicated for Lappi.It's a good point. If Evans is technically on the market, it would be a huge oversight from Hyundai not to get him over Msport. They have the money. Then Sordo could retire, Breen is without a drive and Neuville, Evans and Lappi full seasons.

But sounds like Hyundai have made their bed already....

[WRCStan]

MSport will announce later:
Tanak (according to Gerard Quinn posting on the nose hints on twitter)
others...


This paves a path for Fourmaux in WRC2 (but they need 2 cars for teams?)

Sharing with Loeb in Rally1?

Greensmith to return as the third driver in the second M car and a third M car other rounds?

I can't be bothered counting rounds to make sense of this. Easier to wait for announcement.

[spyros]

Nothing yet, we have to wait until tomorrow

[spyros]

Wait a min,what about Solberg jnr?

[seb_sh]

This paves a path for Fourmaux in WRC2 (but they need 2 cars for teams?)

Sharing with Loeb in Rally1?

Greensmith to return as the third driver in the second M car and a third M car other rounds?

I can't be bothered counting rounds to make sense of this. Easier to wait for announcement.

With MSport it's tricky as it depends on the budget. They entered Breen out of own pocket but the rest had money/sponsorship of some kind. IF we assume it's the same this year then there will be one own driver, let's say we believe Gerard Quinn and it's Tanak. In this scenarion Tanak would presumably not take a big salary but have some kind of deal involving Red Grey.

Then presumably Greensmith still has the same budget do you'll have him as the 2nd permanent car. The third car is optional and might not be something decided up front and could be flexible as the season goes on.

[becher]

What kind of Red Grey deal would make sense for M Sport? Any deal would likely harm their core businesses.

[WRCStan]

What kind of Red Grey deal would make sense for M Sport? Any deal would likely harm their core businesses.

Maybe they have some hopes of some wins?

[skarderud]

What kind of Red Grey deal would make sense for M Sport? Any deal would likely harm their core businesses.Fresh money, development of the cars, maybe M-sport is broke?

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[Sulland]

Maybe Team Solberg has aired a similar Rally2 solution to Malcolm?

[BobJones]

So according to the latest rumors:
Toyota will announce next week:


Sooner than that...

[doubled1978]

The WRC AllLive guys seemed to know a lot more than they were allowed to say during the broadcast at the weekend, so a lot of this was already in play by then.
Personally, I would like to see Tanak at MSport, I hope it’s possible as it would be good for the championship.

[Managarium]

So in the end, did Breen quit M-Sport or did they fired him?

[Danny0405]

So in the end, did Breen quit M-Sport or did they fired him?

Personnally, I think (but only my opinion) that it’s a sort of mutual agreement: M-Sport maybe told him that they will not give him full-time drive next year considering his poor performances
And in that case, if Hyundai came with some interest, between being part-time with Hyundai or M-Sport, I think it was a no-brainer choice for Breen in that context (and for M-Sport, a good financial news).

[skarderud]

It's more of a "no-brain" if Hyundai choose Breen instead of Mikkelsen.
Its a collective brain stroke in Hyundai if they chose a crashprone without a decent result over the best WRC2 driver in the business. I don't understand it.
And if Mikkelsen is a duscebag, its already one in that team.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[RS]

Mikkelsen is testing in Croatia with Skoda. i guess he is staying there.

[wwbroe]

Rally Monte Carlo organisers might be forced to rethink their schedule. The famous Col de Fontbelle in the stage Saint-Geniez - Thoard is not going to be aloud to drive trough. The road is damaged and pieces of rail are missing, so safety can not be garanteed. If they can't use this stage the rally will be shortened by 40 kms or they have to find another stage to run.

[EstWRC]

About Hyundai. About me, you need to wait ;)

So bluuford in a blue Ford?

[TWRC]

So in the end, did Breen quit M-Sport or did they fired him?
I think this is one of those situations, where the aswer depends on who you're asking :D
Probably it was a joint decision, as it was clear this was not working and was not worth it to keep on trying.

[denkimi]

If tanak goes to M-Sport he might end up like neuville, being in the wrong team for almost all of his career.

[bugwrx]

Tänak is going home, he Will not drive next season

[meh]

Tänak is going home, he Will not drive next season

For this kind of statements it makes sense to declare, is it an assumption, opinion or the fact? And some argumentation may be helpful as well.

[DrLill]

https://twitter.com/BenConsty/status/1593359758471356422

An interesting idea (Tänak renting M-Sport cars and driving together with Solberg in his own team?). Our guy Gerard Quinn also liked this tweet. :D

[bomber21]

Solbergs visited Monster’s office and they wrote in twitter that something cool is coming.

[seb_sh]

So according to the latest rumors:

Hyundai will announce this week:
Neuville (confirmed)
Lappi (according to DF)
Sordo/Breen (according to DF)

MSport will announce later:
Tanak (according to Gerard Quinn posting on the nose hints on twitter)
others...

Toyota will announce next week:
Rovanpera
Evans (has contract)
Ogier/Loubet (rumors Loubet to Toyota and sharing car and co-driver)
Katsuta in 4th car

So the rumors were mostly right, Hyundai spot on, Toyota only Loubet is missing but his codriver is there. I suppose we will soon hear Tanak is driving a Ford in some way or another. Let's see what Malcolm can put together.

this is purely my own speculation but something like:
Tanak
Greensmith
Loeb/Loubet

is not too bad, and hoping Loeb does more than 4 rallies after he got the taste of victory back.

[mknight]

So the rumors were mostly right

Rumors from a week before official announcements is what I would call leaks.

Rumors 1-2 months ahead were mostly totally wrong this year, including the more public ones on DF. Here we had people arguing 2 months ago how all lineups stay the same.

[spyros]

After Huyndai announecment that leaves Ott or out or at blue oval.If its the 1st it will be a big loss for WRC.

[AndersX]

After Huyndai announecment that leaves Ott or out or at blue oval.If its the 1st it will be a big loss for WRC.

If Tanak takes "the year off", Kalle will be champion already in May....or Ogier will get his n-title just in 8 rallies. 😁

[EstWRC]

After Huyndai announecment that leaves Ott or out or at blue oval.If its the 1st it will be a big loss for WRC.

After all these announcements yesterday and today, for some reason I have a feeling that he will be at home

I have no sources and etc. just my pure feeling

[mknight]

If Tanak takes "the year off", Kalle will be champion alreay in May....or Ogier will get his n-title just in 8 rallies. 😁

Kinda have to agree with that. Evans is struggling with Rally1 and Neuville never had the speed on fast gravel + makes too many unnecessary mistakes.

[spyros]

Lets pray for Malcolm make his moove, but that takes some time.

[seb_sh]

Well now that Toyota and Hyundai are set there is no rush to announce anything. MSport will take their time as usual and they don't even need to decide the full year in advance. When is the Monte entry deadline?

[EstWRC]

Well now that Toyota and Hyundai are set there is no rush to announce anything. MSport will take their time as usual and they don't even need to decide the full year in advance. When is the Monte entry deadline?

16.12 is deadline

When Ogier joined them for 2017, then the announcement came on 12th of December

[Eli]

For the championship I’m really glad we didn’t see Ott jump ship to Toyota, however if he doesn’t go back to Cumbria it will be a huge loss for all involved, understandable but he will be missed in the service park.

[denkimi]

Kinda have to agree with that. Evans is struggling with Rally1 and Neuville never had the speed on fast gravel + makes too many unnecessary mistakes.
i still wonder how anyone can look at the standings, see a 12 point gap between 2 drivers in the same car at the end of the season, a gap that could have easily been reversed, and think: this one driver can take on rovanpera, but this other one surely can't.

[Rallyest]

i still wonder how anyone can look at the standings, see a 12 point gap between 2 drivers in the same car at the end of the season, a gap that could have easily been reversed, and think: this one driver can take on rovanpera, but this other one surely can't.

If you look into the detail of that point gap only being 12 points you understand the difference of level of theese drivers, not saying Neuville is not fast, but only driver error that cost Tänak points this year was Monte

[mknight]

i still wonder how anyone can look at the standings, see a 12 point gap between 2 drivers in the same car at the end of the season, a gap that could have easily been reversed, and think: this one driver can take on rovanpera, but this other one surely can't.

None of the two drivers were a threat to Rovanpera this year.

But I don't base my opinion on this year, but on how Neuville managed to lose 2017 and 2018 championships with own mistakes (and 2019 with poor mid-season) He just doesn't seem to have that last bit of reliability in.

[meh]

My takeaways so far.

So far, the sad one - If previously Toyota was always with 4 cars and Hyundai sometimes with 4 cars, then we kind of lost 2 cars - now both are with 3 cars.

The next potentially sad one is if Tänak retires or even stays out of full season competitor.

But, logic says, that M-Sport should not let go Breen if they don't have better plan (and I'm personally doubt that Breen volunteered to switch full-season to unknown half-season in another team).

Another logic says, if Tänak wanted to retire, he could do it and announced it already. What could be the logic to wait?

[meh]

None of the two drivers were a threat to Rovanpera this year.

Let's take a look to Sweden Hybrid failure for Tänak - take this one away and picture is really different.




But I don't base my opinion on this year, but on how Neuville managed to lose 2017 and 2018 championships with own mistakes (and 2019 with poor mid-season) He just doesn't seem to have that last bit of reliability in.

And it makes sense to never underestimate anyone, including Neuville, because he was not on the top step on the podium and the end of season. Or Evans, because he didn't find the match with car setup this year.

[EstWRC]

i still wonder how anyone can look at the standings, see a 12 point gap between 2 drivers in the same car at the end of the season, a gap that could have easily been reversed, and think: this one driver can take on rovanpera, but this other one surely can't.


Thierry had 23 point lead over Ott after Portugal and managed to loose with 12 points in the end

Interesting Calculations from est forum

If first 4 rallies not included this season:
Tänak 168
Rovanperä 149
Neuville 133

If first two rallies taken out :
Rovanperä 209
Tänak 200
Neuville 161


First half of the season Tänak earned 62 points and Thierry 80 points. That includes Tänaks 3 retirements in Monte because of him and in Sweden and safari because of the car while Thierry retired once in sardegna

Second half of the season since Estonia Tänak got 143 points and Thierry 113 points. Tänak didn’t retire at all and Thierry did in Ypres because of his mistake.

Fact is that Thierry got beaten 2-1 in overall standings by Ott during those 3 years together and we have seen the previous years how Thierry just can’t put it together.

[seb_sh]

My takeaways so far.

So far, the sad one - If previously Toyota was always with 4 cars and Hyundai sometimes with 4 cars, then we kind of lost 2 cars - now both are with 3 cars.


Sadly indeed, at the moment it looks like we will have fewer cars than last year, but depends how many customers MSport gets.

If we are doing a bit of analysis of the teams I would say Toyota looks good they lose Lappi but Ogier is doing more rounds than last year and Evans looked finally better in Japan. On the other hand Hyundai ticked some interesting boxes:
- knowledge of both Yaris and Puma
- two drivers good on tarmac and slow gravel
- two drivers good on fast gravel
- only Neuville is clear title favourite

Of course losing Tanak is a big blow but the lineup has some logic. For the manufacturers title it's similar to how they won in 2019, for the drivers title they are going all in on Neuville but if he gets a good year he can be in the fight.

[pettersolberg29]

There's a fourth Toyota going free for the events Ogier isn't competing in... nothing announced for it yet, but I don't see that seat remaining empty...

Remember Latvala said his phone has been ringing a lot and I would be surprised if someone like Mikkelsen, Loubet, maybe even Solberg, Lindholm or a gentleman driver is in that 4th car at times.

[spyros]

Sadly indeed, at the moment it looks like we will have fewer cars than last year, but depends how many customers MSport gets.

If we are doing a bit of analysis of the teams I would say Toyota looks good they lose Lappi but Ogier is doing more rounds than last year and Evans looked finally better in Japan. On the other hand Hyundai ticked some interesting boxes:
- knowledge of both Yaris and Puma
- two drivers good on tarmac and slow gravel
- two drivers good on fast gravel
- only Neuville is clear title favourite

Of course losing Tanak is a big blow but the lineup has some logic. For the manufacturers title it's similar to how they won in 2019, for the drivers title they are going all in on Neuville but if he gets a good year he can be in the fight.


Neuville in champ.fight no way.

[EstWRC]

Personally I don’t see a competition for Toyota.

I’m afraid Breen and Lappi will struggle quite a lot with the Hyundai

[Rallyest]

Sadly, if Tänak retires, Rovanpera will probably run over everyone next season. Maybe if Evans can get the season started strong he will find the motivation, but if not, mentaly it will affect him too much if Rovanpera will dominate him from the very start.
Only contender i see is Tänak if by some miracle he goes to Ford and they can fix the reliabilty, because we know the speed is there, despite what everyone here keeps saying. If 48 year old Loeb can show top times then Tänak in his prime can do the same. But it stays a BIG IF in my opinion since my gut says it will be a no Tänak season...

Neuville i dont think will get close to Rovanpera mainly because of his lack of pace on fast gravel and snow, that will already give a huge edge to Rovanpera atleast on 3 rallies.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Dirtfish podcast moots that Katsuta will be given 2023 full season in the official TGR Team (3rd car') and be nominated points scorer in events Ogier doesnt do.

Dirtfish were spot-on.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

After all these announcements yesterday and today, for some reason I have a feeling that he will be at home

I have no sources and etc. just my pure feeling

He talked of a new challenge so that points to continuing in some way rather than retiring. Although it could be more time running Red Grey.

[Rallyest]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/toyota-could-rent-out-fourth-yaris-in-2023/?fbclid=IwAR0aN7YR-Z6ik6S27ebBCzRmjWbR2paHOKBTqVeBOjeqgZ5POQ9Oo9DAfN8


“It is now clear that our line-up is what we will go with for the season,” said Latvala, referencing Friday morning’s announcement. “But, of course we have been considering that - on [seven] events where we have a fourth car available - we would consider a renting option."

So Katsuta will have 7 events in the main team.

[seb_sh]

Neuville in champ.fight no way.

If he has a mathematical chance in the last couple of rounds i would call that in the fight. Didn't say he has a good chance to win. Depends how it goes, if Rovanpera repeats this year then no one is in the fight. If it's something like 2018 I can see him there. He won 2, almost 3 rallies this year and has repeatedly challenged for the title in the past. If you say no way to him you have to say no way to almost all drivers. Maybe you are a fan of someone and you are biased but otherwise it's a bit foolish to write Neuville off in a team built around himself in a car built around himself.

[AnttiL]

My takeaways so far.

So far, the sad one - If previously Toyota was always with 4 cars and Hyundai sometimes with 4 cars, then we kind of lost 2 cars - now both are with 3 cars.

We never had four Hyundai Rally1s in one rally. M-Sport varied from two to five.

[Eli]

We never had four Hyundai Rally1s in one rally. M-Sport varied from two to five.

And even it Toyota’s case, still in half(?) of the events they’ll be running 4 cars just instead of having Lappi as a 4/5th driver they have Katsuta sharing that seat with Ogier.

[meh]

We never had four Hyundai Rally1s in one rally. M-Sport varied from two to five.

I mixed seasons in my head I guess, last season there was Loubet as extra car.

[mknight]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/toyota-could-rent-out-fourth-yaris-in-2023/?fbclid=IwAR0aN7YR-Z6ik6S27ebBCzRmjWbR2paHOKBTqVeBOjeqgZ5POQ9Oo9DAfN8


“It is now clear that our line-up is what we will go with for the season,” said Latvala, referencing Friday morning’s announcement. “But, of course we have been considering that - on [seven] events where we have a fourth car available - we would consider a renting option."


That's good for similar stunts like Huttunen in Finland and maybe much safer option, cause Huttunens start got ruined by Pumas reliability.

Then again so did Latvala's 2020 Sweden, but he got promised an extra event for that (which didn't happen due to Covid).

[Jarek Z]

Big news from Poland - all rounds of WRC, ERC and WorldRX will be broadcasted live on Polish cable TV called Motowizja:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6dSKU_LskI

source in Polish:
https://motowizja.pl/tego-jeszcze-nie-bylo-nadchodzace-sezony-wrc-erc-i-world-rx-w-pelni-na-zywo-w-motowizji/?fbclid=IwAR20dTL8CeDMpBteqEMGc7qGCJ10RTxcYA3H-snqVG6aUBLKLJSSmmWlsyM

Where to watch it:
https://motowizja.pl/gdzie-ogladac-motowizje/

[seb_sh]

Actually would be great if Toyota runs the spare car with various drivers. It's always nice to see someone new :)

[TWRC]

That's good for similar stunts like Huttunen in Finland and maybe much safer option, cause Huttunens start got ruined by Pumas reliability.

Then again so did Latvala's 2020 Sweden, but he got promised an extra event for that (which didn't happen due to Covid).
So, Loubet possibly for those 7 rounds?

[240RS]

When alls said and done, two dominant ex-champions will come out as key players in the sport.

Seb Ogier electing to tackle a higher number of events must be a major reason Esapekka Lappi shifted allegiance. And must have also meant Toyota weren't too worried about him leaving. It also clearly gave Toyota confidence to promote Katsuta. They know they can ease the Japanese star gently in the main team.

The other Seb, Loeb, remaining active also has ripple effects in the driver market. M-Sport know they will have a benchmark on the events he does turn up, and crucially his presence devalued somewhat whatever bargaining power Craig Breen may have had. Of course you can't ignore the impact of what Ott Tanak doing a deal there would mean.

As it stands, you would have to say as long as those two start, Hyundai will be lucky to have two cars running competitively in the top 5. Toyota's two main championship chasers will have to fight it out with Neuville and the Sebs.

[seb_sh]

When alls said and done, two dominant ex-champions will come out as key players in the sport.

Seb Ogier electing to tackle a higher number of events must be a major reason Esapekka Lappi shifted allegiance. And must have also meant Toyota weren't too worried about him leaving. It also clearly gave Toyota confidence to promote Katsuta. They know they can ease the Japanese star gently in the main team.

The other Seb, Loeb, remaining active also has ripple effects in the driver market. M-Sport know they will have a benchmark on the events he does turn up, and crucially his presence devalued somewhat whatever bargaining power Craig Breen may have had. Of course you can't ignore the impact of what Ott Tanak doing a deal there would mean.

As it stands, you would have to say as long as those two start, Hyundai will be lucky to have two cars running competitively in the top 5. Toyota's two main championship chasers will have to fight it out with Neuville and the Sebs.

Breen devalued himself regardless of Loeb, Tanak or anyone else. He was supposed to be a constant podium challenger and possibly title pretender, instead he got 2 podiums and 6 crashes...

[mknight]

Breen devalued himself regardless of Loeb, Tanak or anyone else. He was supposed to be a constant podium challenger and possibly title pretender, instead he got 2 podiums and 6 crashes...

More like MSport tried to upvalue Breen.
Never in his WRC history has he been a top driver in the team, usually only 3rd (besides some rounds in 2018).

This year he suddenly went from part-time 3rd driver to top driver in a team and expected by the British fanboy press people to fight for title.

On top of that he got instant shock/pressure when Loeb won Monte. Repeated again when Loeb led a rally every time he came back

Maybe not so big surprise Breen collapsed.

[seb_sh]

More like MSport tried to upvalue Breen.
Never in his WRC history has he been a top driver in the team, usually only 3rd (besides some rounds in 2018).

This year he suddenly went from part-time 3rd driver to top driver in a team and expected by the British fanboy press people to fight for title.

On top of that he got instant shock/pressure when Loeb won Monte. Repeated again when Loeb led a rally every time he came back

Maybe not so big surprise Breen collapsed.

I like Breen but you can't blame MSport alone. He was calling for a full time drive at every rally last year, saying he knows that's what he's missing to go for the win. He had good results that year so it was worth a shot to try to step up, unfortunately it didn't work out.

[mknight]

I like Breen but you can't blame MSport alone. He was calling for a full time drive at every rally last year, saying he knows that's what he's missing to go for the win. He had good results that year so it was worth a shot to try to step up, unfortunately it didn't work out.

Not alone but it is also partly MSports fault.

As they even admitted themselves Breen was "alone" as the one experienced driver expected to deliver results on a lot of rallies (also on all those where he crashed).

So you can blame MSport for putting Breen into too risky position. They could have opted for at least one more experienced driver. Their bet on Fourmaux and Greensmith improving didn't work at all.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

All driver's have to take the pressure at some point if they want to be at the very top level. Breen now aged 31 and with lots of experience had no excuses for his very poor performance this season.

[Sal yet again]

As Dirty Harry said a man's got to know his limitations and Craig found his this season. Good in the choir never the soloist though..

[Andre Oliveira]

Tänak and Solberg in Monster Energy WRT under RedGrey Team and Petter/Block management?

https://revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/ott-tanak-y-oliver-solberg-correran-junto-a-monster-en-el-wrc-2023-67106?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[TypeR]

Oh jeez :D

Mr Malcolm(I believe he is in this forum), please announce next years line-up.. Rumour are so high in the space already :D

Monster Energy is following M-Sport in Instagram, but not any other wrc team or driver(except O.Solberg)


Ps, Block is driving previous I20 in the states and HMSGofficial has been posting videos/photos of him quite a lot lately..

[Rallyest]

Tänak and Solberg in Monster Energy WRT under RedGrey Team and Petter/Block management?

https://revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/ott-tanak-y-oliver-solberg-correran-junto-a-monster-en-el-wrc-2023-67106?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Wonder if there is any real facts behind this, would be awesome tho

[Jewy46]

I really hope Craig can find his form and prove all the doubters (including himself at this stage) wrong.

I can't sit here and defend him completely. It's clear he had a poor year and did stuff we all didnt expect but it's also clear M-Sport were trying to run on a real shoe string, even worse I would say than in previous years and it just did not work for either party.

I hope both M-Sport and Craig's fortunes improve as IMO the sport needs them both.
Certainly as an Irishman I will continue to back Craig to the end, he is genuinely a nice guy and a good character

[AnttiL]

Ps, Block is driving previous I20 in the states and HMSGofficial has been posting videos/photos of him quite a lot lately..

But I guess Block cannot use his Hyundai anymore in ARA because the regulations changed?

[lmmjvss]

Monster Energy in WRC with Solberg-Block-RedGrey.... ?? THAT would be a blast.
Im getting more and more into the Rally-Raid/Dakar thing but this would push me back to 100% WRC in a heartbeat haha

[AndersX]

Tänak and Solberg in Monster Energy WRT under RedGrey Team and Petter/Block management?

https://revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/ott-tanak-y-oliver-solberg-correran-junto-a-monster-en-el-wrc-2023-67106?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Interesting, but i do not see it competitive idea - nevere ever the private team ( excl. Case with pseido-private Cronos for Citroen, in 2006) has had in its possesion the latests developments and value of resources comp to factory teams. I give this idea 8/10 for guts to challange factories, but 3/10 for possibility to fight for any of titles. If Tanak really did this, the n business took over the common sense.

[jcevc]

Interesting, but i do not see it competitive idea - nevere ever the private team ( excl. Case with pseido-private Cronos for Citroen, in 2006) has had in its possesion the latests developments and value of resources comp to factory teams. I give this idea 8/10 for guts to challange factories, but 3/10 for possibility to fight for any of titles. If Tanak really did this, the n business took over the common sense.

I am sure that if in some miracle scenario this team get real and there will be at least some theoretical chances for title through, there will be 100% support from MSport regarding latest development - but as we all aready know in the start is MSport limited on this topic in comparision with full factory teams.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This sounds a bit crazy to me. And I thought Tanak wanted to spend more time with his family and part-running a private team isnt going to allow that.

[doubled1978]

But I guess Block cannot use his Hyundai anymore in ARA because the regulations changed?

Funnily I saw some video on YouTube the other day with him driving it around L.A. And he said it had to go back to 2c as they own it. So I presume he just rented it for the year.

[Sal yet again]

Latest rumour I've heard is that Solberg may be looking at occasional R1 drives with a standalone Yaris R1 with Monster money. Apparantley the posse where at Toyota for talks last week...

[Andre Oliveira]

Rally1. R1 is the weakest car of FIA rally pyramid.

[AnttiL]

Rally1. R1 is the weakest car of FIA rally pyramid.

Sadly people have already adopted widely the new classes as R1, R2, etc and I’ve grown tired of fighting the windmills :(

[Sal yet again]

Too much red wine and couldnt be arsed to type Rally 1. Rumour still stands

[EstWRC]

Too much red wine and couldnt be arsed to type Rally 1. Rumour still stands

now you just made that rumour even more unbelievable...

[skarderud]

Latest rumour I've heard is that Solberg may be looking at occasional R1 drives with a standalone Yaris R1 with Monster money. Apparantley the posse where at Toyota for talks last week...He could be a good candidate to test and race the Yaris Rally2, combined with some Rally1 driving when the car is "free".
Can monster pay that much ? (Presume the running of a Rally1 is quite expensive)

But, the same for M-sport..


Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[mknight]

But Rally2 Yaris won't be ready for any competition next year.

Either way I would say they are still exploring their options.

[AndyRAC]

Rally1. R1 is the weakest car of FIA rally pyramid.

Most of us knew what he meant; too many pedants on here wanting to correct everybody......

[Sal yet again]

Just hoping we see more Rally 1 cars from the teams other than M Sport to make it more interesting for everyone and that will hopefully allow younger drivers/new names to get noticed rather than waiting for the current crop of drivers to move on. Winning WRC2/ERC etc doesnt mean a shoe in to a top level drive it would appear..

[mknight]

2022 had quite a few young drivers that never won WRC2/ERC in top cars failing miserably (Solberg, Fourmaux, Greensmith). The one that actually won something (Loubet) did fine.

[Sal yet again]

I'm happy with number of cars others have different opinions thats fine

[WRCStan]

Too much red wine and couldnt be arsed to type Rally 1. Rumour still stands

R1 is Rally 1 lol. Did you mean Rally1?

No worries I'm done. AndyRAC put me up to it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Latest rumour I've heard is that Solberg may be looking at occasional R1 drives with a standalone Yaris R1 with Monster money. Apparantley the posse where at Toyota for talks last week...

A clear possibility and especially after Latvala announcing that their 4th car is available for rent next year...

[er88]

A clear possibility and especially after Latvala announcing that their 4th car is available for rent next year...If he's got backing it's a no brainer to rent the Yaris rather than msports Puma with its tinpot reliability. Then on the events the 4th Yaris isn't available, he could run his own VW R5 in wrc2.

It's great Toyota could/can rent out a car now, shame Hyundai have stopped. I know Loubet got a hybrid test car, but it's still an extra world rally car on the stages which is important if you're stageside.

[steve.mandzij]

He could be a good candidate to test and race the Yaris Rally2, combined with some Rally1 driving when the car is "free".
Can monster pay that much ? (Presume the running of a Rally1 is quite expensive)

But, the same for M-sport..


Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalka driver that couldn't keep a Rally2 on the road or near the top of the standings in his WRC2 outings, good development candidate

[becher]

Sadly people have already adopted widely the new classes as R1, R2, etc and I’ve grown tired of fighting the windmills :(
This was inevitable, and I don't see why it is a bad thing to use this shorthand.

[becher]

a driver that couldn't keep a Rally2 on the road or near the top of the standings in his WRC2 outings, good development candidate

People tend to be quite esoteric, when it comes to who is a good development driver. So go figure....

[Hartusvuori]

Latest rumour I've heard is that Solberg may be looking at occasional R1 drives with a standalone Yaris R1 with Monster money. Apparantley the posse where at Toyota for talks last week...

Solbergs did Rally Japan recce and then flew to quite directly to LA. So if there have been meetings with Toyota, it must've been before Rally Japan.

[Eli]

Tänak and Solberg in Monster Energy WRT under RedGrey Team and Petter/Block management?

https://revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/ott-tanak-y-oliver-solberg-correran-junto-a-monster-en-el-wrc-2023-67106?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

https://www.rallit.fi/voiko-tama-todellakin-pitaa-paikkansa-ott-tanakista-ravahti-villi-huhu/ And here they refer to that article.

[Danny0405]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/toyota-could-rent-out-fourth-yaris-in-2023/?fbclid=IwAR0aN7YR-Z6ik6S27ebBCzRmjWbR2paHOKBTqVeBOjeqgZ5POQ9Oo9DAfN8


“It is now clear that our line-up is what we will go with for the season,” said Latvala, referencing Friday morning’s announcement. “But, of course we have been considering that - on [seven] events where we have a fourth car available - we would consider a renting option."

So Katsuta will have 7 events in the main team.

Well, I’m quite positive about them nominating Katsuta in the main team (even partially)
But on the other hand, I’m very disappointed about Toyota that they didn’t use the 7 available drives on the 4th car to help a young driver to step up (Lindholm or another one); really disappointing behavior from the brand, not really showing any interest for the future of the rally. I can understand they want a Japanese full-time but they should have at least 3 other cars everytime.

Only hope now is that a young driver find a way to fund a part-time season in this car; but it is necessarily reducing the scope of drivers able to do so (and it should be more M-Sport’s situation)

[macebig]

If indeed Tanak returns to Ford, he's driving for the main M-Sport Ford squad no doubt. They may send a Puma to M-Sport Poland and back RedGrey into a separate entry for Solberg with Monster as the main sponsor.
So, it goes something like this;
M-Sport Ford WRT
Tanak/Greensmith (full season)
Loeb/Loubet(shared 3rd car/option for 4th)
Monster/RedGrey/M-Sport Poland
Oliver (full season?)
Huttunen and/or Fourmaux (WRC2 and selective Rally 1 entries)

[WRCStan]

If indeed Tanak returns to Ford, he's driving for the main M-Sport Ford squad no doubt. They may send a Puma to M-Sport Poland and back RedGrey into a separate entry for Solberg with Monster as the main sponsor.
So, it goes something like this;
M-Sport Ford WRT
Tanak/Greensmith (full season)
Loeb/Loubet(shared 3rd car/option for 4th)
Monster/RedGrey/M-Sport Poland
Oliver (full season?)
Huttunen and/or Fourmaux (WRC2 and selective Rally 1 entries)

Why would RedGrey/Poland do Monster?

[Danny0405]

I’m quite doubtful M-Sport will risk his relations with RedBull for just a customer Monster-car.
Except if Monster is really paying everything for hiring Tanak and having a consistent team but I’m quite doubtful they can (I would see more Red Bull in that role) or if RedBull is totally abandoning M-Sport after this bad season (but with Loeb in the mix, I think it’s highly not probable).

So for Solberg, I would more see a Monster deal for the part-time 4th Toyota (all the more interesting for him that we know Ogier won’t make the Nordic rallies). Makes sense for both Toyota (having the 4th car everywhere) and Solberg I think.
However, not really clear what Latvala is saying by «*only in renting*»: does he mean renting the car on renting the car + some team to exploit it? Because clearly, with the complexity of these cars, I’m extremely skeptical about just renting the car alone (and the customer having to exploit with his own team).

[the sniper]

Why would RedGrey/Poland do Monster?

So Red Bull can stick with Loeb/M-Sport UK and we can all imagine the Monster/RedGrey/Poland team is an independent entity, just using the same car?

If Red Bull as WRC promoter have any sense, facilitating some kind of fourth team with major investment from an outside, non-manufacturer source is something that should make a lot of sense. If they weren't promoter, then it'd be a non-starter.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Red Bull can stick with Loeb/M-Sport UK and we can all imagine the Monster/RedGrey/Poland team is an independent entity, just using the same car?

If Red Bull as WRC promoter have any sense, facilitating some kind of fourth team with major investment from an outside, non-manufacturer source is something that should make a lot of sense. If they weren't promoter, then it'd be a non-starter.

But why would they encourage a team with their main competitor energy drink as the named sponsor ?

[meh]

But why would they encourage a team with their main competitor energy drink as the named sponsor ?

I actually doubt that it is even allowed by contract with Red Bull.

[manthey]

I actually doubt that it is even allowed by contract with Red Bull.Maybe they can interrupt the sponsorship or when is going to end by contract?

[steve.mandzij]

With Loeb and Fourmaux on the team I can't see Monster taking any part in the main team at least.

If Monster were to come in, I guess only Loubet and Greensmith could stay?

[the sniper]

But why would they encourage a team with their main competitor energy drink as the named sponsor ?

For the greater good, as promoter, given how perilous the WRC's position is? If they don't, if Monster were to commit to the extent of a two car effort with another manufacturer, they'd be even more likely to get beaten by Monster branded cars. I'm still not sure how invested (in any sense) Red Bull are as a team backer. If they were particularly fussed about winning, they could have easily funded M-Sport enough to actually be competitive. As it is, I imagine their involvement just ensures Loeb is still involved and M-Sport have something going for them, which has a wider value for Red Bull and the WRC as promoter.

I'll give you that it would be a very peculiar situation, but it's only one that is thinkable because of their position as overall promoter. If one manufacturer pulls out, the Championship is currently in serious trouble...

[mknight]

I kinda doubt we will see much of Fourmaux in 2023.

If Malcolm uses money (or gets a big sponsor) I would expect:
Tanak (getting paid)

Bringing money:
Greensmith
Loeb (RedBull)/Loubet

Solberg maybe funding own separate car

Without Tanak the drivers will be the same, just one less car.

There could have been a tiny chance that MSport would aim to get another experienced driver, but the only realistic option available now is Mikkelsen, since Suninen got kicked and Paddon is supported by Hyundai. But Wilson does want to pay for Mikkelsen as directly or indirectly demonstrated multiple times over the years, even in 2016 right after Mikkelsen won Australia (his second win that year) Wilson told him to bring money to drive a Fiesta on DMACKs. The story is repeated for last 2 years, MSport asks for money, Skoda pays money. Lappi was also only there in 2019 cause Citroen was still paying him.

[wyler]

italian media:

The Solberg family has not yet fully revealed its cards, but the trip to the United States to meet with the top management of Monster, dad Petter's historic partner, has produced the desired results (although it would be more correct to say budgets). This has been confirmed by all the sources known to be close to the best-known and most media-conscious Scandinavian rallying family. These days, the Solbergs have set out on a major programme, a return to their roots, given that their WRC adventure was born under the American soft drink maker's flag. According to the rumours circulating, the two Monster image men among the four-wheelers Petter Solberg and Ken Block should be on the command bridge. This is an important widening in the policy of the American company, which up to now has mainly focused on the world of two wheels, while with four wheels it has marked a significant presence in World RX, in the days of the previous promoter; and at single spot events from Block's Gimkana to the Monza Rally Show with Valentino Rossi. Even though these were one-off presences, they were still talking about six-figure budgets, from the commitment to cover technical budgets to those needed to give an image to their presence. The programme they are now working on has been associated on several occasions with the name of Ott Tanak, the only top WRC driver never to have worn the colours of rival Red Bull. The first rumours were leaked immediately after the announcement of his divorce from Alzenau, only to be relaunched by the Iberian media last week, as soon as Hyundai and Toyota announced their 2023 line-ups. At this point, with the certainty of the budget, the drafting of the programme has begun to take shape, and between the end of November and the beginning of December the first certainties should arrive.

http://www.areacorse.com/solberg-2023-monster/

[RS]

Presume Breen wasn’t paying for his drive, although probably not actually paid much?

I can’t see why they wouldn’t offer a similar deal to Mikkelsen, who is at least a multiple WRC event winner.

[mknight]

3 possible reasons any one of them could work:

- (if) they get Tanak
- Loeb's starts serve the purpose of showing the speed of the car
- Malcolm doesn't like/have faith in Mikkelsen, see post just above. Every time they had a chance to choose him they told him to bring money (before 2017 season, 2021, 2022)

[Allez Andruet]

Presume Breen wasn’t paying for his drive, although probably not actually paid much?

I can’t see why they wouldn’t offer a similar deal to Mikkelsen, who is at least a multiple WRC event winner.

To offer such deal - especially in M-Sport's case - to a driver who has zero rallies in a Rally1 car and hasn't driven in WRC's top class for three years doesn't sound like a smart move.

[skarderud]

To offer such deal - especially in M-Sport's case - to a driver who has zero rallies in a Rally1 car and hasn't driven in WRC's top class for three years doesn't sound like a smart move.Do you really think a driver with Mikkelsens experience and routine cant drive the rally1 proper? Its not a moonrocket...

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[mknight]

To offer such deal - especially in M-Sport's case - to a driver who has zero rallies in a Rally1 car and hasn't driven in WRC's top class for three years doesn't sound like a smart move.

When Breen got the "deal" he has not driven Rally1 car either (so unknown), has not driven more than 4 rallies per year for 3 years and had close to zero experience on half of the rallies in calendar.

Other available options have proven they can't drive Rally1 car with good speed and any reliability (Fourmaux, Greensmith).

So yes it would be a risk, but out of those available hiring anyone else than Tanak is.

-----------

Imo drivers that are used to driving cars without active difs like 2016 and earlier WRCs or Rally2 cars should do better in Rally1 than those that only drove 2017 WRCs with 3 fancy diffs.

[meh]

Previous Rally 1 car experience can not be that strong argument - orherwise you don't have any choice.

I think with Mikkelsen the reason to not get Rally 1 seat is somewhere else. Related to previous experiences and maybe "still learning the car" times from Hyundai. He has at least average speed on the field, but problably not enough to overweight some other arguments. But his marketing campaign "I'll dominate WRC2" didn't went that well also.

[becher]

It's quite funny how we all want more cars, yet the number of drivers that are guaranteed to do a good job is probably less than 10. Goes to show how high the level is. I'm inclined to agree that Mikkelsen is one of the best drivers without a Rally1 drive but it is also questionable whether he will be at the sharp end.

[Allez Andruet]

Do you really think a driver with Mikkelsens experience and routine cant drive the rally1 proper?
No, I don't.

[RS]

Previous Rally 1 car experience can not be that strong argument - orherwise you don't have any choice.

I think with Mikkelsen the reason to not get Rally 1 seat is somewhere else. Related to previous experiences and maybe "still learning the car" times from Hyundai. He has at least average speed on the field, but problably not enough to overweight some other arguments. But his marketing campaign "I'll dominate WRC2" didn't went that well also.

Year 1 no (although he won the title). This year I think he did a pretty comprehensive job, even though that didn’t end with the title.

[mknight]

Previous Rally 1 car experience can not be that strong argument - orherwise you don't have any choice.

I think with Mikkelsen the reason to not get Rally 1 seat is somewhere else. Related to previous experiences and maybe "still learning the car" times from Hyundai. He has at least average speed on the field, but problably not enough to overweight some other arguments. But his marketing campaign "I'll dominate WRC2" didn't went that well also.

He had same speed as Loeb in Hyundai and finished 4th in WRC in 2019 beating Evans (same number of rallies) as well as Latvala and Meeke in Toyota and Lappi in Citroen all 3 with 2 more starts than him.
On gravel his speed was on top Hyundai level at the time, tarmac was bad (again just like Loeb).
But it is funny how his results seemingly get talked about as worse and worse for every year since.

In Rally2 he won two Championships at once with most wins in both of them. But sure he didn't win every rally, yet was faster than Breen in all starts.

Anyway based on all rumors he had contract ready for 6+ rallies at Hyundai before Lappi decided to jump ship. So for Hyundai who have most recent direct experience he was good enough, but not for MSport. Cause as I said I believe MSport will never let him drive unless he pays.

[Allez Andruet]

When Breen got the "deal" he has not driven Rally1 car either (so unknown), has not driven more than 4 rallies per year for 3 years and had close to zero experience on half of the rallies in calendar.
Not gonna bother to comment on the first point as it's quite obvious, but while Mikkelsen's been out from the top class for three years, Breen had three podiums from his last three WRC starts (all within the past six months at the time) when getting the deal. As the question was about offering a "similar deal" to Mikkelsen as was to Breen a year ago, I think that sums it up (sure Breen wasn't the complete package either and that was known, but his recent CV was quite far apart from Mikkelsen's). Fourmaux and Greensmith aren't exactly in the same competition.

[mknight]

Not gonna bother to comment on the first point as it's quite obvious, but while Mikkelsen's been out from the top class for three years, Breen had three podiums from his last three WRC starts (all within the past six months at the time) when getting the deal. As the question was about offering a "similar deal" to Mikkelsen as was to Breen a year ago, I think that sums it up (sure Breen wasn't the complete package either and that was known, but his recent CV was quite far apart from Mikkelsen's). Fourmaux and Greensmith aren't exactly in the same competition.

There is not much point to argue about details, but in general a year ago Breen was considered a rising prospect with possibly bigger potential. This year (as Adamo recently commented) he has shown he can't (yet??) be n1 cause he does not handle the pressure. Mikkelsen was "safer" choice with less potential.

But a year ago is a year ago.

Right now MSport does not have any driver that can be hoped to consistently show the speed of the car and be able to fight for podiums on all or most rounds. Breen got kicked cause he was not able to do that. Loubet can't do that (yet?), no podium yet and on quite a few rallies he doesn't have experience or speed (yet). Fourmaux and Greensmith have shown they can't do that and Loeb won't do many starts.

Mikkelsen is clearly the best available choice (besides Tanak). Question is if MSports aims have been downscaled even more from last year.

[pettersolberg29]

Presume Breen wasn’t paying for his drive, although probably not actually paid much?

I can’t see why they wouldn’t offer a similar deal to Mikkelsen, who is at least a multiple WRC event winner.

Breen paid for his MSport drive - to replace Breen you'd have to bring a fair chunk of change with you! MSport certainly wouldn't pay to have Andreas in the seat so Andreas would have to come with more money than he has.

[flat_right]

Breen paid for his MSport drive - to replace Breen you'd have to bring a fair chunk of change with you! MSport certainly wouldn't pay to have Andreas in the seat so Andreas would have to come with more money than he has.

Wasn't it this way that Breen got a "free" car from M-Sport and his salary was paid by his personal sponsors. So in a way Breen didn't have to pay for M-Sport?

[pettersolberg29]

Wasn't it this way that Breen got a "free" car from M-Sport and his salary was paid by his personal sponsors. So in a way Breen didn't have to pay for M-Sport?

AFAIK M-Sport made money from Breen - how much I couldn't say, but the amount he gets from his 'benefactor' is more than I think he'd use just for salary so assume a big chunk went into Malcolm's pocket too. Perhaps not, but if not then Breen is a very, very well paid man!

[skarderud]

No, I don't.Hot tip: don't eat those mushrooms you find in the Forest.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[Allez Andruet]

Mikkelsen is clearly the best available choice (besides Tanak).
That's a very bold statement which is based on the assumption that the performance level of Mikkelsen vs. the others would have been on a standstill for the past three years. Who knows, it might have been, but on any sport that's not the most obvious outcome and I assume it's not something which mr. Wilson would put his money on either.

[AnttiL]

Mikkelsen will remain enigmatic, we can only guess. My guess is that he would be similar as in the Hyundai in 2017-2019, showing flashes of speed but rarely being able to keep it up throughout a rally, and sometimes being just totally lost. Or then something like Breen this year. But still, there aren't really better options either, or at least it's difficult to compare to some other prospects. The level of the top drivers in WRC is very high at the moment, and it's really hard get there. Fighting for 4-5 positions or sometimes leading the rally is not enough. I would also consider Mikkelsen relatively old, but then again 2022 has shown us that maybe it's better for youngsters (except Kalle :D ) to stay in lower classes and gather experience.

[WRC1]

just look at the times of Andreas Mikkelsen at Acropolis Rallye....of course after his big mistake on stage 1....but after this mistake he drove incredible times, he was faster than Katsuta on many stage, he drove a 3rd fastest stage time with Rally2 Fabia on a "normal" stage!!!!!

Mikkelsen is clearly the BEST available choice if Tänak is too expensive (or not available) AND after his years with Skoda he knows how to Set up a car! Seeing Breen gets a Program after this Performance and Mikkelsen not makes me wonder...

[Allez Andruet]

he drove a 3rd fastest stage time with Rally2 Fabia on a "normal" stage!!!!!

No offence and definitely no disrespect to anyone involved, but I'm not so sure if any stage can be called "normal" in which Gaurav Gill beats Rovanperä, Lappi, Greensmith and Loubet.

[AnttiL]

Massive road cleaning and Sunday driving. Also in terms of WRC2, Mikkelsen had already lost everything so he could risk it all. Others had to take it carefully to secure getting to finish. But still impressive driving.

[AnttiL]

I LOL'd again in public listening to the Dirtfish podcast where David Evans suggests that "Maybe Tänak does a season of ARA" :D

[Jarek Z]

Referring to the discussion about Mikkelsen, I was curious where he stands in the World Rally Ranking and found out that this initiative must have died. I only found this facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/WRRUnitedBusiness/
but the webiste www.worldrallyranking.com doesn't work anymore. I guess the owner lost interest.
Do you think it makes sense to have a rally ranking, similar to the ATP ranking in tennis?

[Lead]

Regarding Mikkelsen, team bosses dont like him as it have to do something about his personality or previous interactions rather than his driving abilities. Maybe a little too arrogant and he overvalues himself if its simply budget question? Hard to say.
Although without Rally1 experience, he is still best option out there. And I would pick him over Breen (and even Lappi) any day.

[AnttiL]

Referring to the discussion about Mikkelsen, I was curious where he stands in the World Rally Ranking and found out that this initiative must have died. I only found this facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/WRRUnitedBusiness/
but the webiste www.worldrallyranking.com doesn't work anymore. I guess the owner lost interest.
Do you think it makes sense to have a rally ranking, similar to the ATP ranking in tennis?

Yes, it was canceled before it started

[WRCStan]

Jarek, was that (related to) the FIA Global Rally Ranking attempt or (any) other? There's been a few (FIA/WRC tries) over the years, officially and unofficially. I guess that crews just don't want them.

[Jarek Z]

Jarek, was that the FIA Global Rally Ranking attempt or another?

I think it was some private initiative, outside of FIA.

But you have just reminded me of the FIA Global Rally Ranking. I tried to google it and found only this:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/fia-launches-global-rally-ranking-system-from-2022/

Has it ever started?

[AnttiL]

I think it was some private initiative, outside of FIA.

But you have just reminded me of the FIA Global Rally Ranking. I tried to google it and found only this:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/fia-launches-global-rally-ranking-system-from-2022/

Has it ever started?

I was talking about the FIA ranking, it was canceled early this year. The canceling was announced at some WMSC meeting, IIRC.

[Jarek Z]

I was talking about the FIA ranking, it was canceled early this year.

OK, thank you for the information. So, it doesn't matter which ranking we are talking about, because all of them were canceled.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lappi move a surprise but Latvala didnt consider replacing him.with another new driver:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/latvala-lappi-hyundai-move-came-as-a-surprise/

[wyler]

looks like family team in wrc2 for solberg in the end

https://www.vf.se/2022/11/25/solberg-avslojar-planen-for-2023-ett-fabriksteam-i-torsby-drommen-pa-sikt/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Free version...
https://www.rally.it/2022/11/oliver-solberg-verso-il-ritorno-nel-wrc2

[seb_sh]

the Ford/Monster Solberg/Tanak team was probably just speculation all along. This is the reasonable outcome, probably healthy for him as a young driver to have a more settled year.

Let's see now what MSport manages to put together. If they can get even a partial program from Tanak and Loeb that's already very good, gives them a chance to win rallies. If they can get something like Tanak, Greensmith, Loeb/Loubet it's starting to look good for them and for the WRC itself. Of course they could do even better than that but i think in reality that's the best possible lineup. As I said before if I was the promoter i'd be working hard to make the Tanak and Loeb to MSport deals happen, trying to get a sponsor etc It would make for a much more exciting season.

[TypeR]

2023 Calendar
https://www.upload.ee/image/14695662/251122_Calendar_835ea_frz_1400x788.jpg

[skarderud]

Nice! And no saudi's!

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[flat_right]

So basically, now there is only one more news to wait (Tänak's 2023 plans) and then we can officially sign off 2022 :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great to see Mexico and Chile back.:)

What's the likely CER in October ?

Edit. AUT/CZE/DEU
The WRC’s new Central European tarmac event will be based out of south east Germany and will venture into Austria and the Czech Republic. It will effectively replace the popular Rally Spain, which drops off the schedule, having been a mainstay since 1991.

[JRodrigues]

BritishRallyMedia @BritRallyMedia 55m
A certain Estonian rally driver is currently in Greystoke Forest. Could be nothing.

https://twitter.com/BritRallyMedia

[WRCStan]

Great to see Mexico and Chile back.:)

What's the likely CER in October ?

Edit. AUT/CZE/DEU
The WRC’s new Central European tarmac event will be based out of south east Germany and will venture into Austria and the Czech Republic. It will effectively replace the popular Rally Spain, which drops off the schedule, having been a mainstay since 1991.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/events/59-3-stadte-rallye/

Funny this was what robbed Catalunya in the end, not $audi, as everybody said. It were the Czechbucks!

[bandit12]

BritishRallyMedia @BritRallyMedia 55m
A certain Estonian rally driver is currently in Greystoke Forest. Could be nothing.

https://twitter.com/BritRallyMedia

Markko Martin 😮

[Danny0405]

https://www.rally.it/2022/11/oliver-solberg-verso-il-ritorno-nel-wrc2/amp
Quite clear interview from Petter Solberg apparently in Swedish website, no Rally1 for Oliver in 2023; they are looking for support to build a Rally2 program

Also Gronholm in a Finnish interview clearly said Huttunen’s one-off in Finland was a clear failure in terms of money spent and is not happy at all about M-Sport for no compensation (because of mechanical) and sounds short of money.

Clearly reduce the contenders for the last spots available in M-Sport: lets only Loubet, Loeb, Tanak, Greensmith (except gentlemen drivers).

For 4th Toyota, why not a surprise with a driver to help to develop the Rally2 (in exchange for salary to develop it); Hyundai steals them Lappi, why not stealing Suninen.

[pantealex]

Clearly reduce the contenders for the last spots available in M-Sport: lets only Loubet, Loeb, Tanak, Greensmith (except gentlemen drivers).

For 4th Toyota, why not a surprise with a driver to help to develop the Rally2 (in exchange for salary to develop it); Hyundai steals them Lappi, why not stealing Suninen.

In my mind Mikkelsen would be good (paid salary) man for Yaris Rally2 development

[TypeR]

BREAKING NEWS!

Still no news!

[mknight]

https://www.rally.it/2022/11/oliver-solberg-verso-il-ritorno-nel-wrc2/amp
Quite clear interview from Petter Solberg apparently in Swedish website, no Rally1 for Oliver in 2023; they are looking for support to build a Rally2 program

Also Gronholm in a Finnish interview clearly said Huttunen’s one-off in Finland was a clear failure in terms of money spent and is not happy at all about M-Sport for no compensation (because of mechanical) and sounds short of money.


Wonder what car they are thinking for Rally2. New Skoda is maybe too fresh (unknown performance) and Skoda already has quite many drivers both proven (like Lindholm) and unproven (Pajari).
They likely want to avoid Hyundai now.
Polo is still competitive, but they won get any money/support from factory.
Could C3 with some support be an option. (but I heard Citroen was kind of pulling out).


Sure Huttunen has all the reasons to be unhappy. Pretty bad advertising for MSport too. Remember Latvala got promised a replacement rally when his car failed early in Sweden 2020. (but then COVID came and he got teamboss job instead

[TypeR]

How is Latvala's Yaris WRC issues in Sweden 20' related to all of this?

[M3 Jambo]

How is Latvala's Yaris WRC issues in Sweden 20' related to all of this?

Because of the issues with the Toyota, they promised Latvala another event, Huttunen no similar offer from MSport.

[AnttiL]

Wonder what car they are thinking for Rally2. New Skoda is maybe too fresh (unknown performance) and Skoda already has quite many drivers both proven (like Lindholm) and unproven (Pajari).
They likely want to avoid Hyundai now.
Polo is still competitive, but they won get any money/support from factory.
Could C3 with some support be an option. (but I heard Citroen was kind of pulling out).

Skoda Fabia Evo would still be better than C3 or Hyundai. Not sure how Polo compares. But I'm guessing they are going with the Polo.

[Kenneth]

I don't see any reason why they would drive anything else than Škoda, if they don't to use VW.

[mknight]

Skoda Fabia Evo would still be better than C3 or Hyundai. Not sure how Polo compares. But I'm guessing they are going with the Polo.

My point was that they might try to run a car where they get some support (money or parts) from a manufacturer, instead of paying everything by themselves or sponsors.

Out of all cars C3 seemingly lacks supported drivers (only Rossel who had disappointing season).

Skoda probably already has at least 3 cars that are somehow factory supported already, so they probably don't "need" to get another driver and they maybe don't have enough new cars yet.


When it comes to what car is the best I am not so sure the differences are all that big right now.

(old)Fabia is probably best allround, but Polo seems better on fast stuff. C3 is also great on tarmac. New i20 seems good on medium to fast stuff.
The two that are not competetive over more rallies are Fiesta which is only good on wet tarmac and old I20 why seems only good on dry smooth tarmac.

[fiscorpun]

Totally Random but Loeb is world champion in Extreme-E, racing for Lewis Hamilton's team. Another title for hig bag. Not a big or super important championship, but they fought to the finish line to become champions earlier today. THE MAESTRO

[wyler]

junior calendar:

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/junior-wrc/junior-wrc-reveal-five-stop-2023-calendar/

[EstWRC]

BREAKING NEWS!

Still no news!

https://media1.giphy.com/media/QBd2kLB5qDmysEXre9/giphy.gif

[becher]

My point was that they might try to run a car where they get some support (money or parts) from a manufacturer, instead of paying everything by themselves or sponsors.

Out of all cars C3 seemingly lacks supported drivers (only Rossel who had disappointing season).

Skoda probably already has at least 3 cars that are somehow factory supported already, so they probably don't "need" to get another driver and they maybe don't have enough new cars yet.


When it comes to what car is the best I am not so sure the differences are all that big right now.

(old)Fabia is probably best allround, but Polo seems better on fast stuff. C3 is also great on tarmac. New i20 seems good on medium to fast stuff.
The two that are not competetive over more rallies are Fiesta which is only good on wet tarmac and old I20 why seems only good on dry smooth tarmac.

I don't really see why Citroen would be interested in Solberg.So likely a private Fabia or Polo i guess.

[bandit12]

I don't really see why Citroen would be interested in Solberg.So likely a private Fabia or Polo i guess.
It could be Fiesta thru Redgray? Witch will be rebranded Purpleblue

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BREAKING NEWS!
Still no news!

At the moment no news is good news as it indicates there are still discussions ongoing.

If Tanak was unhappy after the test then it may have come out already that there will be no deal.

[AnttiL]

I don't really see why Citroen would be interested in Solberg.

Big marketing value

[AnttiL]

https://www.vf.se/2022/11/25/solberg-avslojar-planen-for-2023-ett-fabriksteam-i-torsby-drommen-pa-sikt/

https://www.rallit.fi/petter-solbergilla-huimat-suunnitelmat-tommi-makinen-nappasi-edellisen-projektin-nenan-edesta/

Petter building new premises at their house in Torsby, to accomodate a factory team one day

[bwallace]

not a first time we hearing how petteri trying to attach manufactory team to wrc...

[AnttiL]

not a first time we hearing how petteri trying to attach manufactory team to wrc...

In the article he says he almost got the Toyota project

[mknight]

https://www.vf.se/2022/11/25/solberg-avslojar-planen-for-2023-ett-fabriksteam-i-torsby-drommen-pa-sikt/

https://www.rallit.fi/petter-solbergilla-huimat-suunnitelmat-tommi-makinen-nappasi-edellisen-projektin-nenan-edesta/

Petter building new premises at their house in Torsby, to accomodate a factory team one day

Nitpick:
Solbergs don't live in Torsby, rather like 30 km outside on the border with Norway. Basically in the middle of nowhere.

They have a workshop and car museum on two different spots in Torsby itself. One of the articles says they are moving all the things in town to one new location, but that's 100% not at their house.

[rallyfiend]

In the article he says he almost got the Toyota project

Petter says a lot of things...

[wyler]

Nicolas Gilsoul to co-drive Loubet for the next season.

The new couple will contest Rally Devouly in a fiesta rally2.

ita press: http://www.areacorse.com/loubet-con-gilsoul/

[cali]

Nicolas Gilsoul to co-drive Loubet for the next season.

The new couple will contest Rally Devouly in a fiesta rally2.

ita press: http://www.areacorse.com/loubet-con-gilsoul/
Welcome back!

[wwbroe]

Very good news for Nico and also good thing for Loubet. He was reading the notes for Gino Bux in this year's Belgian Championship and now steps up again to the WRC. He has enough experience to make this work. Welcome back and i am sure they will do great together.

[wyler]

ita rumors: m-sport helping loubet to full program and partly 3rd car. greensmith confirmed as 2nd.

http://www.areacorse.com/m-sport-promuove-loubet/

[mknight]

ita rumors: m-sport helping loubet to full program and partly 3rd car. greensmith confirmed as 2nd.

http://www.areacorse.com/m-sport-promuove-loubet/

MSport best possible lineup:

Tanak, Mikkelsen, Loeb (some starts), Loubet, Solberg, Greensmith (the last 3 paying) - anyway this is never going to happen

MSport "worst" possible lineup:

Greensmith, Loubet both paying and Loeb starting a few rallies


--------------
Quite large gap between those two extremes, but judging by experience of last years I expect reality to be rather close to the "worst" one.

[AnttiL]

Best possible would be something like Rovanperä-Tänak-Ogier/Loeb. Just as fictious as your suggestion ;)

[seb_sh]

And the worst is actually Greensmith and Loubet/Serderidis/Bertelli in a second car depending on who pays which rally.

[mknight]

Best possible would be something like Rovanperä-Tänak-Ogier/Loeb. Just as fictious as your suggestion ;)

Nope, the drivers I listed should be somewhat available for the last 2 months or so and MSport have publicly stated multiple times that they would be ready to "pay for a title challenger".

So that lineup is within MSport PR possibility ;)

[Danny0405]

Well, let be honest, if they finish with Tanak-Greensmith in the first two cars and a decent solution with the 3rd car registered in all rounds (Loubet, Loubet-Loeb or something like this), it would already be good considering the situation.

The important is to have them competitive on every round and only Tanak can bring it. And if they can help a young driver (even if I’m doubtful about Loubet’s potential) in addition to that, it is not bad considering their financial means.
Clearly I’m much more critical about Toyota not giving his chance to a young driver with the rest of the 4th car for example.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Well, let be honest, if they finish with Tanak-Greensmith in the first two cars and a decent solution with the 3rd car registered in all rounds (Loubet, Loubet-Loeb or something like this), it would already be good considering the situation.

The important is to have them competitive on every round and only Tanak can bring it. And if they can help a young driver (even if I’m doubtful about Loubet’s potential) in addition to that, it is not bad considering their financial means.
Clearly I’m much more critical about Toyota not giving his chance to a young driver with the rest of the 4th car for example.

It's a bit rich to criticise Toyota after they have brought through young Rovanpera to being World Champion and Katsuta to driving full WRC seasons. Plus they've given Lappi a couple of seasons to prove his pace at WRC level.

[spyros]

Nothing new, whaT Happened here?

[skarderud]

Adamo was at clark's podcast, saying that rally1 hybrid is a miss, should have a Rally2+ solution instead.
Interesting..

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[ouvreur]

Adamo was at clark's podcast, saying that rally1 hybrid is a miss, should have a Rally2+ solution instead.
Interesting..

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

What a surprise, the clown that got kicked out of the circus is critical of the new lion tamer, and thinks his idea is better.

In other news, bear spotted pooping in the woods, and shock allegations emerge that Pope Francis may be Catholic...

[fiscorpun]

Good! Adamo is on the same page as every 'real' motorsport fan:

"I dont know whats going on with motorsport since F1 did the netflix show. I love racing but Im not as happy as I was a few years ago but i dont know why"

[manthey]

Adamo was at clark's podcast, saying that rally1 hybrid is a miss, should have a Rally2+ solution instead.
Interesting..

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

More Teams, more cars and more drivers for the title…as in Group A time. That world be perfect

[WRCStan]

More Teams, more cars and more drivers for the title…as in Group A time. That world be perfect

You reckon that would happen?

[tuuli101]

https://uus.autosport.ee/ralli/eesti-tippkaardilugejad-alustavad-koolitusprogrammi/?fbclid=IwAR3qWtBD7Vyxf6dE9jJppAWDZaYev7RH5nFcbwqz Sl99Ds5vTAbYY5Y9zDc

Martin Järveoja and Kuldar Sikk starting a training program for codrivers….


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AnttiL]

More Teams, more cars and more drivers for the title…as in Group A time. That world be perfect

I remember Group A times differently. Usually two or three teams fighting for the title - or maybe just one like Lancia 1987-1989!

[SubaruNorway]

Most people can barely get a full WRC2 season together, not sure many would be able to do a full WRC season anyway, it's nice to dream but it won't happen.

[manthey]

https://uus.autosport.ee/ralli/eesti-tippkaardilugejad-alustavad-koolitusprogrammi/?fbclid=IwAR3qWtBD7Vyxf6dE9jJppAWDZaYev7RH5nFcbwqz Sl99Ds5vTAbYY5Y9zDc

Martin Järveoja and Kuldar Sikk starting a training program for codrivers….


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMartin also brought a very talented young driver to Vittorio Caneva Rally School in Italy

[djip]

I remember Group A times differently. Usually two or three teams fighting for the title - or maybe just one like Lancia 1987-1989!

1987-89 were dull in terms of results (Lancia, Lancia, Lancia) but remember nobody save Lancia was ready for the switch from Group B, everyone was working on Group S. Yet in terms of factory teams involved, they were aplenty : Lancia, Mazda, Ford, Opel, Subaru, VW, Renault, Toyota, Nissan ... Of course many would run only a few events but still, this was jobs for drivers who also competed in other series (APCR, British Open, ...)

Then came the nineties and boy - this was a hell of a period with the Ford, Subarus and Toyotas that would be run by the dozens at every event. Look a the entry lists, sometimes 25+ top cars. Not to mention te "F2" kit cars who were also factory-backed. So many drivers rose to the top by starting as privateers in equal machinery. True to say factory teams were mostly on top but the gap to the best privateers/importers was not that large and you could shine and attract attention.

In the end, this is very similar to WRC2 today, isn't it ? The only difference is WRC2 cars are running 20+ minutes behind the Rally1 cars, so nobody notices ....

[RS]

Most people can barely get a full WRC2 season together, not sure many would be able to do a full WRC season anyway, it's nice to dream but it won't happen.

It’s not that simple imo. If Rally2 cars or something like them were the top class then they become more visible, and therefore more attractive to sponsors/manufacturers. At the moment you are only really guaranteed any significant tv coverage in WRC2 if you are in the first few crews and sometimes even then not very much.

[AnttiL]

1987-89 were dull in terms of results (Lancia, Lancia, Lancia) but remember nobody save Lancia was ready for the switch from Group B, everyone was working on Group S. Yet in terms of factory teams involved, they were aplenty : Lancia, Mazda, Ford, Opel, Subaru, VW, Renault, Toyota, Nissan ... Of course many would run only a few events but still, this was jobs for drivers who also competed in other series (APCR, British Open, ...)

Then came the nineties and boy - this was a hell of a period with the Ford, Subarus and Toyotas that would be run by the dozens at every event. Look a the entry lists, sometimes 25+ top cars. Not to mention te "F2" kit cars who were also factory-backed. So many drivers rose to the top by starting as privateers in equal machinery. True to say factory teams were mostly on top but the gap to the best privateers/importers was not that large and you could shine and attract attention.

In the end, this is very similar to WRC2 today, isn't it ? The only difference is WRC2 cars are running 20+ minutes behind the Rally1 cars, so nobody notices ....

The world has changed, less money in car industry to use for marketing and rallying is not seen as important. Also less sponsor money to use.

Furthermore, we can only guess whether someone was actually paid to drive or had to bring budget. It's reported that someone like Armin Schwarz often had German dealer money to bring to teams. Andrea Aghini had to pay for his Lancia drives in 1993 etc.

And you mention teams like Opel and Renault...those guys were like the WRC2 (or even WRC3) of today, not fighting for rally wins.

Another thing is that a Group A car could be anything from a top spec factory car to a Group N car that had one part changed to make it past Group N limits. At least in Finland we had many of these "N+" cars because factory cars were hard (and expensive) to obtain.

[AnttiL]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak-returns-to-m-sport-next-year/

[flat_right]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak-returns-to-m-sport-next-year/

Thank god! Best news for the WRC!!! Three teams with top dogs.

[EstWRC]

I won’t believe until it’s official (I just don’t want to be disappointed later on) but this is amazing news

Back to home finally!

[becher]

Great news!

[MartinMK]

it is now

[flat_right]

Yes, M-sport has confirmed it.

The stress I didn't know I had :D Feels like holiday season has started.

[240RS]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak-returns-to-m-sport-next-year/

It's now three teams, NOT two-and-a-half. . .:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc2nHrhxkpg&feature=youtu.be

[dck1989]

https://fb.watch/hgbM8lG3V_/

[TypeR]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kc2nHrhxkpg&feature=youtu.be

Little clips put together by M-Sport

[spyros]

ouaou best news this year, i hope he 'll do well with puma.

[EstWRC]

Yes, M-sport has confirmed it.

The stress I didn't know I had :D Feels like holiday season has started.

Christmas came early this year!

Definitely the most interesting and best move in this silly season.

Now the question is how good the car really?

[Eli]

Christmas came early this year!

Definitely the most interesting and best move in this silly season.

Now the question is how good the car really?

Not long until Monte to find out, and judging by M-Sport's road book they'll have some new aero coming,hopefully sooner rather than later.
Finally for the first time since 2019, we have the three strongest drivers in 3 teams, should be good!

[AnttiL]

Now the question is how good the car really?

Fast yes, but reliable enough?

[jcevc]

Christmas came early this year!

Definitely the most interesting and best move in this silly season.

Now the question is how good the car really?

Most of all I hope they will resolve silly technical problems which have no impact on how fast is the car - power steering problems, wipers not working properly, dust inside, fogging of windshield etc.
But for sure, this is big relief for all involved in this sport.

[Zoli]

Which new aero are you referring to? I haven't seen anything new from them so far...

[doubled1978]

I think we can all be relived that this is the outcome. I hope it also means that there is some backing financially to be able to develop the car to match his ambition.

I’m happy that each team has at least 1 elite level driver, who knows if Loeb again drives selected events they might have 2 in Puma’s.

[Rallyest]

Its so good and funny to see Malcolm smiling and giggling next to the track like a little kid when Ott drove the car

[Eli]

Which new aero are you referring to? I haven't seen anything new from them so far...

From the footage of M-Sport's road book, check the front lip spoiler.

[Zoli]

From the footage of M-Sport's road book, check the front lip spoiler.

That looks the same to me as their 2022 spec, just without livery, but my eyes might be mistaken. ;)

[bwallace]

That is same bumper they use in japan i think only with out sticker it's look like new

[Eli]

That is same bumper they use in japan i think only with out sticker it's look like new

Oh, sorry,my bad.

[seb_sh]

Best thing that could happen for the WRC. Now if/when Loeb is also there MSport will look quite strong, maybe stronger than Hyundai.

[bwallace]

2334 I discoust with wrc wings and this is the main difference only edge is more sharp but all main part is most the same

[seb_sh]

Also this feels like when Ogier joined MSport for 2017.

[Managarium]

Not long until Monte to find out, and judging by M-Sport's road book they'll have some new aero coming,hopefully sooner rather than later.
Finally for the first time since 2019, we have the three strongest drivers in 3 teams, should be good!

Don't forget an engine update. https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-m-sport-is-holding-back-on-major-engine-upgrades/

[dimviii]

DirtFish
@DirtFishRally
·
12m
Jost Capito and Francois-Xavier Demaison have both left their positions at Williams F1 ��

[EstWRC]

no testing this december for Monte like in previous years https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-are-rally1-teams-not-testing-for-monte-in-december/

[Eli]

no testing this december for Monte like in previous years https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-are-rally1-teams-not-testing-for-monte-in-december/

So basically they've cut the testing days in half (from 42 to 21) without even publishing it during the last WMSC, Nice! (did see a rumour or two about them cutting the testing days).

[TypeR]

Maaasssive cost saving! (Nobooody but bs PR cares about it.)
I would bring testing to 1 day only. All the drivers get to see the car and sit in it. Should be enough.
Great plan to ,,kill'' WRC pretty fast.

[atsiotras79]

So let me get this straight…
If Ford rents 2 extra cars in Monte. Can they give the “renters” half a day of testing and the rest of each of those days, Tanak drives…? Can that be done?
Is it one day per car? Or one day per car that is declared for points?

[dimviii]

TOYOTA CAUGHT OUT BY HYUNDAI’S RATE OF DEVELOPMENT

https://dirtfish.com/rally/toyota-caught-out-by-hyundais-rate-of-development/

[Co-driven]

So let me get this straight…
If Ford rents 2 extra cars in Monte. Can they give the “renters” half a day of testing and the rest of each of those days, Tanak drives…? Can that be done?
Is it one day per car? Or one day per car that is declared for points?

No, unless these drivers are entered by the "works" M-Sport team. If it's a WRC Team (like Toyota NG or whatever it's called) or a privateer, then it won't count.

And I think that 2022 had some extra test days because of new tyres or something like that.

[Eli]

No, unless these drivers are entered by the "works" M-Sport team. If it's a WRC Team (like Toyota NG or whatever it's called) or a privateer, then it won't count.

And I think that 2022 had some extra test days because of new tyres or something like that.

2021 had those extra days I think: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/wrc-tire-test-setbacks-hand-teams-extra-test-days/ in 2022 it was tasked to Kalle Rovanperä to test the tyres for the new cars: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/pirelli-testing-new-hard-compound-tire-with-rovanpera/

[J4MIE]

Rumour that Petter Solberg will drive on the Classic Safari in Kenya 2023, but I presume this is false……

[AnttiL]

Rumour that Petter Solberg will drive on the Classic Safari in Kenya 2023, but I presume this is false……

not really a WRC rumour :)

[Co-driven]

2021 had those extra days I think: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/wrc-tire-test-setbacks-hand-teams-extra-test-days/ in 2022 it was tasked to Kalle Rovanperä to test the tyres for the new cars: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/pirelli-testing-new-hard-compound-tire-with-rovanpera/

Yes, 2021 had 9 extra days (I attached part of the WRC Regulations from 2021 - sorry, I don't know how to add the image to the text).

And for 2022 it was one day per driver per European round, I think it's the same as 2023 regulations.

As far as I know, Pirelli development should've been done by one Finnish driver, but in the end the teams demanded that they were directly involved in the testing and that's way they had these extra days, as mentioned by you.

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/solberg-to-mount-wrc2-title-challenge-with-toksport/

So from rumours of going with Ford to conformation going to Škoda’s Toksport, guess it was pretty much anticipated at this point since we saw them test a few days prior.

[Lead]

I wonder whats up with Mikkelsen for next season? We know he will not drive in WRC2 (or at least in Skoda) and WRC1 teams are all but set. So that basically leaves..... nothing?

[SubaruNorway]

Mikkelsen is testing the Skoda today in Finland

[er88]

Would be a shame not to see Meeke and Mikkelsen in the Skoda considering they were the two main development drivers

[skarderud]

A story on Mikkelsen and the hyundai-mess:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid022ghXKNMbqEUXtT2ZaarsH7 Nw3oYfbhSp8LhTWeAa24EYjmNq7FjsFs27P33YH8Wul&id=100063747062910

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[skarderud]

The story by google translate, Par Ferme has the story, Norways leading motorsportsite.

The future in Skoda is uncertain for Andreas after the Hyundai mess - We are working on the matter, says the rally profile with an optimistic undertone.

RALLY: It was earlier this autumn that Parc Fermé could reveal that Andreas Mikkelsen had almost felt cheated by Hyundai's factory team in the Rally WC with a view to a contract for next season. The Oslo man claimed to have received the go-ahead for a minimum of six races, that the draft of the contract had been fully approved and that only one signature was missing. Suddenly, Hyundai is said to have turned on the run-up side and chosen another. Subsequently, it has become known that Hyundai has signed Craig Breen and Esapekka Lappi alongside their regular duo over many years, Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo. Parc Fermé presented the criticism to Hyundai Motorsport, but they themselves did not want to comment on Mikkelsen's experience.


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[skarderud]

Part 2

In any case, this has now had worse repercussions than before for Mikkelsen. Because even though he and Skoda have had an open dialogue about his position in the rally circus and what opportunities he must seize if they arise in the top class, the open dialogue has probably struck a small blow to Mikkelsen's face. Because both Mikkelsen and Skoda were so sure that the Hyundai deal was in the works that Skoda instead implemented plan B with other drivers. And then it has become a bit more difficult for Mikkelsen to turn around and stand in the doorway with his hat in hand again. - Yes, everyone was sure that I was going to Hyundai next year and everyone made plans for it. So when that didn't happen, new solutions had to be worked on, says Mikkelsen to Parc Fermé. Nothing is nailed down A Norwegian wishful thinking is to link him up to M-Sport, who recently signed Ott Tänak as their clear first driver for next season after they parted ways with Breen a year early. Formally, two places are still available. M-Sport, which has minimal factory support from Ford, is primarily dependent on drivers who have their own sponsors and their own budget - while Mikkelsen, for his part, does not want to end up in this booth of so-called paid drivers. Therefore, the probability preponderance has been on Skoda and their high-stakes customer team Toksport WRT, until it is now clear that there appears to be little room for him. They already have WRC 2 champion Emil Lindholm and Russian Nikolay Gryazin on the team, and a number of other drivers are also knocking on the door of Toksport WRT, who are also happy to have their own funds. - Right now, nothing is nailed down. I'm working on next year, but I don't know if it will be in a Skoda or something else, he says.

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[Danny0405]

About Mikkelsen and Hyundai, I think the story is true because the leak in the news clearly sounds to come from Mikkelsen’s side (maybe not him directly) and I don’t see the point for them to criticize Hyundai for free in his situation looking for a Rally1 drive.

About Mikkelsen and Skoda, I think it a bit differently (I don’t think it’s a timing issue).
I really think that at the end of 2019, Skoda wanted to end its works program as a racing team and not anymore having pure works driver (even if supporting partially some but all manufacturers do so in Rally2); also because winning with a works driver, even more if he is a former WRC driver is not as good as winning with client or youngsters in terms of ad for the brand.
But as they lost all the big titles in 2020 (WRC-2 against Ostberg, WRC-3 against Huttunen and ERC against Lukyanuk), they thought they needed a former WRC driver to counter Ostberg and they took Mikkelsen (who didn’t have other serious offer considering he doesn’t to pay to drive). It works in 2021 and at the beginning of 2022, the young Toksport bunch was not reliable enough to bet all on them against Rossel, Suninen or potentially Ostberg. But as Toksport now has a driver with Rally1 experience (Lindholm) who can be considered as a reliable driver for Rally2, they don’t need anymore Mikkelsen whose WRC experience was hiding a bit the quality of the car in winning. As Mikkelsen doesn’t want to pay to drive, they know the risk is very low to see him as a competitor in 2023. Only risk Skoda takes in my opinion, now that Mikkelsen has missed Rally1 opportunity, is that Mikkelsen is hired by Toyota to help to develop the Rally2 car (if his Skoda contract was not including a non-competition clause, which is possible though because Mikkelsen had some early exit option to join Rally1 so probably there were some counterparts).
It is just an hypothesis but it’s how I see what happened between Skoda and Mikkelsen and I think the Hyundai stuff is not really linked with it (we know for a couple of months about Hyundai having cheated Mikkelsen so Skoda could have took him back).