Arai as you said was payed to help the evolution of n14-15-16.Thats not a pay driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
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Arai as you said was payed to help the evolution of n14-15-16.Thats not a pay driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
This is really ridiculous discussion :D
By the way NOT, almost all IRC works drivers have been paid by their teams and they are mostly comparable with Nasser. Those like Kopecký, Bouffier, Vouilloz, Basso, Rossetti, Alister McRae or even Navarra...
Nasser has been works driver of VW for ages in Dakar, so it's very likely he will continue in any kind of cooperation. Who cares if it's him who pays the bills or VW? Frankly I don't give a sh... about that. Either case it's not mine money being spent, so what...
Or... maybe if VW pays Nasser -> they would pay less taxes -> less money will turn into aid for Greece? :D
i am confused now....
In IRC the drivers are getting payed by their respective manufacturer of their country (e.g Wilks is getting payed by Peugeot UK) and not the official manufacturer ?? or i am wrong with this ??
Arai/Nutahara are getting payed by Subaru Japan (which is also the main manufacturer).
As for the Nasset case...it does matter who pays the bill when it comes to the WRC team...lets not forget that nasser drives for ford now and i doubt VW will have a contract to pay a driver driving for a different team....i do not think that the Germans keep paying Nasser for their dakar project nowadays that he drives for ford.
Yes, You are. I haven't named any driver which was driving for national importers but only true works drivers.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
ah yes from the ones you mention you are right but you forgot hanninen i think...
Lol, do you seriously belive that drivers like for instance Hänninen actually has many possibilities to choose from if they want to drive workscars, I cant think of any privateer who would have refused a factory seat in WRC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
I think Haninnen would turn down VW for Ford if the money was right. It must be frustrating to know you are the best driver that Skoda has but actually find that lesser drivers are being favoured as I am sure Kopecy is. Further, who knows how long it will take for VW to be on the pace, I for one don't think Haninnen will wait forever to win things.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomi
I think Nasser drings more money and access to the middle east. As you may know VW is partly owned by Middle Eastern interests and I think they will want to have a familiar face around. Petter does not have that kind of power unfortunatley, secondly I don't think he would want to drive a s2000 car occasionally in 2012 while waiting for 2013. I think he would prefer to stay an independent driver with Citroen and at least have some change of winning the title (however slim it may be)Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Nasser had a falling out with Skoda last year I believe hence the change of car to Ford. Skoda couldn't supply the parts straight away or something along the lines and he wasnt happy!! He's using a Ford car and don't think this has ruined the relationship between him and VW!! I think a driver who can bring in money is an asset to the team for a manufacture!
The falling out wasnt with Skoda, it was with Rene Georges who was running the SkodaQuote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Hänninen is in SWRC because this is the only way to go in WRC events with current Škoda machinery. Originally it wasn't planned to put him in IRC except several high profile events such as Monte Carlo but that changed and he is fighting for both championships now (seems like they see Kopecký can't win the title). He won't do all rounds but none of IRC regulars does all of them either. Besides that Juho always wanted to go to WRC, so I don't think he feels any problem with driving in SWRC. And by the way he always says he wants to drive every possible rally so I don't see any problem for him in driving double portion :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
Well there we go :) Nasser didn't tell me the whole story but that's what I understood at the time!Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Can anyone, on another note tell me what drivers/plans VW have for this year? They're choosing who? to drive S2000 Fabias for testing and when??
It is Hanninens own chooise to do (7 rallies in) SWRC plus as many as can be done logistical and humanly in IRC. So why and by who is he messed? Skoda/VW have arranged Hanninen and Grassner in SWRC to gain data, as representatives of VAGQuote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
Finnish News Agency STT interviewed Hänninen today prior to Acropolis, pressing him with questions concerning possible VW deal. He keeps saying that it is driving and results that matters the most and he will keep continue concentrating on them. There has been no talks with VW, but he is sure they know his name. "Skoda and VW link does no harm to me, but in the end it's about driving results." Hänninen's current deal with Skoda ends this year, but he says it's not ruled out that he would continue with Skoda in 2012: "They'll propably have some kind of program for 2012 and continueing with the team would be good."
Is it possible for Mikkelsen to get a driverseat in WV too? He have the speed :eek:
5 events (Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Wales)Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
with 3 cars in all (Fabia S2000)
Nasser + "pro driver" + "young gun" and those 2 can also be other than local drivers!
He told me the same yesterday! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
What kind of "Pro Driver" are they talking about? IRC Champion, WRC Champion (Sainz? :D ) F1 driver? It could mean anything with ze Germans?? DTM?? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by pantealex
Maybe a bit for SWRC although Skoda will be the boss about it because they are paying the whole stuff (or maybe Redbull also a bit for SWRC) . For IRC like Mirek says a classic like Monte Carlo. Yalta was because of local importer but Azores seems now be a possibility too because it's gravel and they don't see Kopecky winning I think and Barum offcourse there home country they don't want to lose there and maybe more if they see Kopecky will not win title. I don't think they really care much about Loix because he's more of a BFO driver then a Skoda driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
I think that Juho will do those 7 events which counts. Now he has already 3 (Monte, Canarias, Yalta), than maybe Acores, sure Barum. So at least two more needed from the five others (Madeira, Mecsek, Sanremo, Cyprus, Scotland).
Sanremo is a classic so he may start there because Ucci and the Abarths were going very well last year and Kopecky couldn't follow the pace so good. And maybe one gravel event like Cyprus especially with getting so much points there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Scotland and Cyprus give double points, so every seriuous title candidate has to be in Scotland and Cyprus, not only for there own changes, but also to steal points from others So Hanninen will concentrate on these event. He has a good change for a new title.
Loix (may not mess it up in Ypres) hasn't either on program but they'll implement them if they see he can win the title, Neuville has only Scotland on his program. What Hanninen will do is Skoda's call.Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
Scotland will not have double points:Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
Coefficients will be applied to the scoring system of the following events:
14-16 October - RAC MSA Rally of Scotland - Coefficient 1.5
03-05 November - Cyprus Rally - Coefficient 2
OK not double the points, but Scotland has a lot more points to offer for competitors then the other rallies, so saving budget for Scotand (and Cyprus) will be a smart move.Quote:
Originally Posted by RICARDO75
I find the comments about Haninnen interesting. I was just thinking that someone of his talent and age would want to hurry his career along. Unfortubaltey I do notknow of many website that carry up-to-date infor about him. Do you guys know of any good sources?
He can't make VW sign him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
As he says, he just needs to concentrate on getting results. His people will look after negotiations.
+1 I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by wildsir
I wonder if Nasser will be the dominant driver in this team (as MS is at mercedes gp). Do you think that the VW team will be competitive of be a bit like germany's other major ventures into world wide motorsport?
I’d hope that Nasser isn’t the main driver at VW. His CV doesn’t warrant being a No1 or No2 driver – he might be a good development driver, but he’s done nothing to suggest he’s a top driver. Looking at the Audi Sportscar effort – they don’t carry any passengers(or pay drivers) – they’re all very good drivers who have delivered when asked. I’d have thought the VW WRC effort would be run the same way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
Not sure about Hanninen...he'd be a good driver for the team for sure, but not leading VWs entry into WRC.
Thats cool. I guess you could also say that VW will be quite successful as it has enjoyed the reward of the professional teams they entered in Group B with Audi and Dakar recently. I just was concered that it could end up a beaurocratic nightmare like Mercedes GP, Toyota F1 and Skoda WRC, which had significant German input and management. The cars were good but never really were able to make as muuch impact as they should.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
So.... at the end of the day we have NO drivers for VW... that's great! :D hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by I am evil Homer
They have the budget so no worries about that - only the best available for the 2013.
Old news from the weekend but still good to hear. Like I read above, he has won Dakar... and ME championship/s or rounds and potentially could be a WRC winner... but not sure how long it would take him... Then again VW will indeed get someone who is new and will be a winner.
It sucks, Ford and Citroen have winners already.. it's like the Suzuki/Hyundai/Seat teams back in again... there are there but not winning... but VW should win :)
So wait.... VW will officially supply him with a Skoda S2000 automobile.... in which he won't have a Ford, where he ditched a Skoda in the first place... He will be testing with VW for a 3 yr contract... does that include driving a car in the WRC officially? (Will have to wait and see)
They'll have 3 drivers so he can be third without problems. Also won Dakar and gave big publicity to VW so reward is here.
Volkswagen can do very smart moves. Some contracts will expire at the end of the year, Al-Attiyah has been signed to develop the first things in November-December, waiting for the proper works drivers... who knows, maybe the battle inside Citroen hides some contact between Loeb and VW?
Anyone at VW will deny any contact, of course, but I think that some calls have been already done. I'm sure about it. But it's still too early to talk about silly season...
There is rumours flying that VWskoda drivers in Finland are:
Juha Kankkunen
Jarkko Nikara
and Nasser
Truth will be out in a week.
And no Hanninen ???