Silly Season 2015

It's September and slowly we're approching the end of the season. What better way to get in the mood for 2015 by some good old fashioned gossip and rumours. :)

Yves Matton will make a decision about Citroen's driver lineup around the beginning of Ocotober. Meeke's place in the team seems quite secure, but will Ostberg remain with Citroen?

How about Hyundai's offer to Ogier? Which drivers will Hyundai keep and who will they drop? What's going to happen to Hirvonen?

You can discuss the latest rumours about driver lineups here, or share the lineups you personally would like to see. :)

very few will change for next year. Ogier is not stupid to go to Hyundai, Citroen cannot afford to pay anyone, Ford will choose the ones that will pay.

if M-sport will find funding that is

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Originally Posted by Eli

if M-sport will find funding that is

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Wilson has already confirmed Evans will stay with the team for next year, so there must be some security M-Sport will still be there next year.

I'm little curious about Toyota plans. Is it possible to sell cars to privateers or something?

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

I'm little curious about Toyota plans. Is it possible to sell cars to privateers or something?

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what toyota has to do with 2015 ?

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

what toyota has to do with 2015 ?

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I have no idea. Keep testing and testing....what for?

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

I have no idea. Keep testing and testing....what for?

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for 2017 and knockout the competition (a.k.a-VW Motorsport)

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

I have no idea. Keep testing and testing....what for?

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not for 2015...

Aren't there going to be dramatic changes for 2017. This Yaris looks useless if so

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

Aren't there going to be dramatic changes for 2017. This Yaris looks useless if so

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go complain to the finances manager of Toyota then... still nothing to do with 2015.

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

go complain to the finances manager of Toyota then... still nothing to do with 2015.

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:D, I don't have problems with this.
Back to the thread anyway... Ogier in Hyundai will be a mistake for him I believe, it's not very reliable, and with the new model it might only get worse.

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

:D, I don't have problems with this.
Back to the thread anyway... Ogier in Hyundai will be a mistake for him I believe, it's not very reliable, and with the new model it might only get worse.

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Why mistake? You have the possibility to double your salary, you have already 2 WRC titles and you have the possibility to show that you are better than your past opponent by winning championships for different car Manufacturers. And now he has a wife and sooner or later children as well... rapid salary rise is needed :-P

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Originally Posted by bluuford

Why mistake? You have the possibility to double your salary, you have already 2 WRC titles and you have the possibility to show that you are better than your past opponent by winning championships for different car Manufacturers. And now he has a wife and sooner or later children as well... rapid salary rise is needed :-P

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It is a mistake because you cannot win the championship... I do not think that Hyundai can offer him that much more money than VW. And that stupid thing about proving yourself is nonsense...you prove yourself by increasing your wins and championship titles, not by participating with an inferior car.

Actually, Toyota Yaris testing MIGHT have something to do with 2015 after all. There are some rumors that a semi-official deal build around the Yaris might arise for 2015-16. Would most likely not be a full season effort, definitely not in 2015 at least. Why, you ask?

Well, there are clear indications that all is not dandy between Toyota HQ in Japan and Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Köln. The F1 program was a disappointment and Köln hasn't been able to deliver a Le Mans victory yet either. So the jury is still very much out concerning the rally program with TMG. There were already some machinations with Tommi Mäkinen Racing this summer...on a very high level.

So, might a semi-official effort be needed for the Köln team for 2015-16 to get Toyota fully commited to a 2017 and beyond factory effort with them? To show that the team is capable of delivering? To see whether the interest is there from the media etc.? To get competition experience? Toyota has also done similar things before, like the engine deal with Rebellion Racing in WEC before the official factory effort a year later. Impossible? Not at all. Likely? Not very...

My personal opinion: the semi-official deal will not happen, after all. But the possibility is there.

For the other teams, here's what I think.

Volkswagen

Would be very surprising to see Ogier leave, ditto Latvala - almost certain that there will be no changes here. Only possibility is if Ogier truly wants to chase the money and Hyundai makes a crazy offer...doubt it. Mikkelsen wants to stay too, but if any VW driver would leave it would be him. If Ogier and Latvala continue at VW beyond 2015 surely at least then it is time to move on for Mikkelsen - in couple of years he needs to be able to lead a team, that might never happen at VW. But 2015 is still ok for him at VW. Kubica was already looking for a VW for this season, there might be a possibility of that in 2015 (or not). Fourth car?

Hyundai

Neuville stays, he signed a long term contract with them last year. Hänninen prefers to stay, but would like to have a full season - as would probably Sordo. So one of them might leave, if a compromise can't be found. Paddon has been impressive and I think additional outings in the third car are on the cards for 2015. Atkinson will not return to the team, Bouffier might for some rounds (like Monte). Might Hyundai be interested about Mikkelsen? Possibly. Ostberg or Hirvonen? Not so much...

Citroën

Meeke will stay, Ostberg might not. If Citroën decides to get rid of Ostberg, there are couple of options. Mikkelsen might be one, but he would want to have a multi-year deal that Citroën currently might not be able to give to lure him out of VW. Matton was already last year trying to get Hänninen for some rounds before he was signed by Hyundai. If Hyundai doesn't want him, might be a decent option for Citroën - in my opinion, the best one if available. What about P. Solberg - well, would be a REALLY huge surprise for him to leave WRX now when he is on a verge of a title and has build a great team competing with RX powerhouse teams like MSE, with possible options for a factory deal in the future. And why would Citroën even want him? But, stranger things have happened... One thing is clear though - Citroën wants a more experienced driver, so rookies (like Chardonnet) are out of question. Al Qassimi will continue with the team for some rounds, like in 2014. Also, Citroën has already promised to field a car for Räikkönen if he leaves Ferrari/F1 early...

M-Sport

Future uncertain as always but M-Sport will continue and Evans will stay. Kubica might stay if he doesn't get a better deal from elsewhere. Hirvonen will not stay. There are many rumors for the second car. Tänak, if there is money. Novikov, if there is money. Sordo? Ostberg?. You know the deal. Protasov is looking for some kind of deal with M-Sport for 2015 but will probably be outside of the "main" team. Biggest problem is that the team would desperately need a main sponsor...one possibility is to have rotating drivers in the second/third car bringing money. Where might Hirvonen go? Retire, and/or get a cozy testing job with Toyota...(or maybe even a little bit more).

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Originally Posted by bluuford

Why mistake? You have the possibility to double your salary, you have already 2 WRC titles and you have the possibility to show that you are better than your past opponent by winning championships for different car Manufacturers. And now he has a wife and sooner or later children as well... rapid salary rise is needed :-P

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I've been witness to greedy drivers before, it didn't do anything good. Since when You need millions for a wife and kid(s) (well it must depend on the wife I guess:D)

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Originally Posted by [WRCRR]

Well, there are clear indications that all is not dandy between Toyota HQ in Japan and Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Köln. The F1 program was a disappointment and Köln hasn't been able to deliver a Le Mans victory yet either. So the jury is still very much out concerning the rally program with TMG. There were already some machinations with Tommi Mäkinen Racing this summer...on a very high level.

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Yeah, it's difficult against AUDI in Le Mans. Peugeot already heavily crashed into that wall. But Toyota are doing better with the challenge I must admit, almost happened this year. F1 program I won't comment, clearly a mistake. But in Rally they have big traditions and probably there should concentrate their efforts, though it won't be easy against VW as well. I personally prefer Toyota before Hyundai, that is my opinion.

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Originally Posted by [WRCRR]

So, might a semi-official effort be needed for the Köln team for 2015-16 to get Toyota fully commited to a 2017 and beyond factory effort with them? To show that the team is capable of delivering? To see whether the interest is there from the media etc.? To get competition experience? Toyota has also done similar things before, like the engine deal with Rebellion Racing in WEC before the official factory effort a year later. Impossible? Not at all. Likely? Not very...

My personal opinion: the semi-official deal will not happen, after all. But the possibility is there.

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There was something also with infamous Motorsport Italia earlier I think. So Toyota are definitelly interested in some semi-part deal as it seems. But then there are the fears of great failure undermining their bright future program from 2017 on. Anything is possible...

Alastair Moffitt, Communications manager for TMG, was quoted in MotorsportMonday.com on 25 August as saying: "There is no indication from Japan that this model has any ultimate use in competition terms. The Yaris WRC will not be homologated". So, what is the object of this project?

Jost Capito is pushing for evolutionary change in 2017 not radical tech changes. Capito also refered the FIA to their own decision to comit to a ten year life for the global race engine, 1.6litre direct injection turbo. Jost said any new (hybrid) engine in 2017 breaks the ten year stability agreement that allowed VW to comit.

And we all know that Jost almost runs the WRC....... Well not yet..... ;)

I'd love to see Toyota back - but watching the videos of the Yaris testing; hmm, it's hardly jaw dropping is it? Shouldn't a WRCar leave you stunned?

It looks decent to me. Not far from Ford and Hyundai. But there seem lot of work for VW challenge.

Rumours of VW and Huyndai starting junior teams next year.

Tidemand, Paddon could be there.

Raikkonen just officially said he finish his career in Ferrari when times come. Back to WRC in Citroen looks possible. Petter to Ford with a little help from own sponsors?

Ostberg? Back to Ford?

Mikko? For sure he´s enough fast to be second driver whereever there is place.

If Huyndai lures Ogier Mikko might be third driver at VW after JML and Mikkelsen?

Ogier "considering Hyundai" is only about Ogier milking more money out of VW, no way will he throw away the best drive there is at the moment. And Mikko to VW is definitely in line with the title 'silly'.

i'm sorry but with all due respect to Hirvonen, he needs to give up his place, who will replace him, I don't know if it's Ott or whoever but he needs to give it up, all season long he hasn't been fast enough thorugh the most of the season, i mean only one podium in portugal, he was consistent but in being 5th. as for the other Drivers, if Hyundai don't offer something special, looks like VW will stay with their lineup, as for Hyundai -Thierry & Juho (with Paddon and Sordo in the N team). M-Sport-if they get the funding, Elfyn and Ott. Citroen: Kris & Petter.

If Ostberg gets dropped and Shitroen keep Krash Meeke on for another year to try and best Kubica in the crashing title (most number of crashes in a season, most number of crashes in a single rally, most number of crashes in a single leg of a rally) of the WRC he should feel pretty hard done by. He's ahead of Meeke after Australia in the points (OK only one place and 7 points), but I fear the kind of thing that matters to the team is what driver offers them the most monetary benefit (through marketing etc. not just bringing in sponsorship money) not who will deliver rally results.

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

And we all know that Jost almost runs the WRC....... Well not yet..... ;)

I'd love to see Toyota back - but watching the videos of the Yaris testing; hmm, it's hardly jaw dropping is it? Shouldn't a WRCar leave you stunned?

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How about this?

http://www.timeattack.co.uk/wp-conte...Olly-Clark.jpg

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Originally Posted by Eli

i'm sorry but with all due respect to Hirvonen, he needs to give up his place, who will replace him, I don't know if it's Ott or whoever but he needs to give it up, all season long he hasn't been fast enough thorugh the most of the season, i mean only one podium in portugal, he was consistent but in being 5th. as for the other Drivers, if Hyundai don't offer something special, looks like VW will stay with their lineup, as for Hyundai -Thierry & Juho (with Paddon and Sordo in the N team). M-Sport-if they get the funding, Elfyn and Ott. Citroen: Kris & Petter.

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I have to agree. With all due respect to him, he is just struggling, and fans are struggling too watch him struggling. This is not what WRC is about.... finish. Better to give up the place for some young driver who is trying for something...

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Originally Posted by Jack4688`

If Ostberg gets dropped and Shitroen keep Krash Meeke on for another year to try and best Kubica in the crashing title (most number of crashes in a season, most number of crashes in a single rally, most number of crashes in a single leg of a rally) of the WRC he should feel pretty hard done by. He's ahead of Meeke after Australia in the points (OK only one place and 7 points), but I fear the kind of thing that matters to the team is what driver offers them the most monetary benefit (through marketing etc. not just bringing in sponsorship money) not who will deliver rally results.



How about this?

http://www.timeattack.co.uk/wp-conte...Olly-Clark.jpg

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Sorry, but are you serious? Meeke has proved this season that he's the third fastest guy behind Ogier and Latvala and that's with far less experience. He's definately the best option for Citroen at the moment and Yves knows that;)

What about Tanak in Citroen as second driver, learning the car in the first year and Mads back to Ford?

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Originally Posted by Eli

i'm sorry but with all due respect to Hirvonen, he needs to give up his place, who will replace him, I don't know if it's Ott or whoever but he needs to give it up, all season long he hasn't been fast enough thorugh the most of the season, i mean only one podium in portugal, he was consistent but in being 5th. as for the other Drivers, if Hyundai don't offer something special, looks like VW will stay with their lineup, as for Hyundai -Thierry & Juho (with Paddon and Sordo in the N team). M-Sport-if they get the funding, Elfyn and Ott. Citroen: Kris & Petter.

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So you´ve found a faster driver then? hasn´t been fast enough? Well, not to win, but podiums on PS says a lot. So you think Ott can axle his place? Well not yet.

From the service park at Rally Australia gone by from source..

Meeke to VW
Ogier back to Citroen (Abu-Dhabi have 2016-19 sponsorship with Citroen) as not getting along with Joost
Evans to Citroen
Hyundai stays the same
Tanak to M-Sport

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Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

From the service park at Rally Australia gone by from source..

Meeke to VW
Ogier back to Citroen (Abu-Dhabi have 2016-19 sponsorship with Citroen) as not getting along with Joost
Evans to Citroen
Hyundai stays the same
Tanak to M-Sport

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go to bed its late...

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

go to bed its late...

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Lol

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Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

From the service park at Rally Australia gone by from source..

Meeke to VW
Ogier back to Citroen (Abu-Dhabi have 2016-19 sponsorship with Citroen) as not getting along with Joost
Evans to Citroen
Hyundai stays the same
Tanak to M-Sport

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I'd like to know what your source is smoking...... :smokin:

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Originally Posted by rage82

Sorry, but are you serious? Meeke has proved this season that he's the third fastest guy behind Ogier and Latvala and that's with far less experience. He's definately the best option for Citroen at the moment and Yves knows that;)

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Yep, Meeke is the best option for Citroen. He is not 1st driver by chance. He is fast for sure and second part of the season he proves he can be consistent. Probably needs a victory to get more confidence. For Ostberg I'm not so sure. Tries to do something with his driving style, but the progress isn't there.

Ford must keep Evans and find a replacement for Hirvonen. Sordo might be a good option as experienced driver side for Evans.

Hyundai are doing good for some drivers giving them a chance to do some Rallies, but they need constant lineup of 2 drivers. Hanninen for 2nd? And probably other drivers in the "N" team?

Don't see any reason VW to change their lineups. Probably another driver for the 2nd team? Abbring? Tidemand?

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

I'd like to know what your source is smoking...... :smokin:

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Wait and see ;-)

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Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

From the service park at Rally Australia gone by from source..

Meeke to VW
Ogier back to Citroen (Abu-Dhabi have 2016-19 sponsorship with Citroen) as not getting along with Joost
Evans to Citroen
Hyundai stays the same
Tanak to M-Sport

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Now, this I`d love to see- but I think it might be a Fairytale!!!

It just seems too incredible to be true. If it was true, it would be the most sensational/ bizarre set of moves I can remember.

It would be great, and open up the championship but this set of moves will not happen.

If you could understand the relationship difficulties Ogier is having with Captito and in the service park...

And to see how Ogier is speaking to the media... (just to add not only 'how' but 'what' he says - and not to the open media to report...)

Then you would believe Ogier's switch. Matton has spoken to Ogier and Ogier has spoken to Matton. Can I make it any more clear?

But why would meeke then be out? surely it would make since to have both drivers. That is if it were to happen.