Hyundai i20 WRC

Matthew Wilson

Breen has allegedly tested the peugeot 208 for 5000 kms.
Atko could be a possible wheelman for the Hyundai.

If there aren´t any "big" guns available (Sordo and maybe Östberg) then it is time for a fresh start and give the seats to guys that haven´t had their chance in the big league yet. Filling the lineup with the likes of Henning makes it look as convincing as MINI Motorsport Italia/Viva Tourism Agency of Brazil and such.

Henning and aroujo is probably at same level, but to draw comperations to nobre to these others is just rude..... :) I'm quite sure neighter Henning or aroujo has shown theire real potensial, but Henning is getting to old, but maybe a good choice as a testdriver? The best skilled mechanic in the wrc by far.

No-one can match Nobre, not even Henning. Maybe testing-wise he could be some use but IMO the actual competing lineup (#1 and #2) needs to be something "fresher" than guys who peaked some 5-10 years ago, in mid-level. I hope that at least the 2nd car goes to someone who hasn´t yet had his chance in the big league (Hänninen, Paddon and so on).

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Originally Posted by Miika

If there aren´t any "big" guns available (Sordo and maybe Östberg) then it is time for a fresh start and give the seats to guys that haven´t had their chance in the big league yet. Filling the lineup with the likes of Henning makes it look as convincing as MINI Motorsport Italia/Viva Tourism Agency of Brazil and such.

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Why should Huyndai start to be the MRNice guy to the sport bringing upnewcomers for drives?
No, if they are serious they will hire at least one documentedly good driver for testing and then for sure a top driver as #1. Then in second seat maybe one of the youngguns who has been in IRC or done a couple of seasons in WRC.

No charity is expected.

Let us first see how serious there effort is....

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

Why should Huyndai start to be the MRNice guy to the sport bringing upnewcomers for drives?
No, if they are serious they will hire at least one documentedly good driver for testing and then for sure a top driver as #1. Then in second seat maybe one of the youngguns who has been in IRC or done a couple of seasons in WRC.

No charity is expected.

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Hiring new talents isn't charity. It's investment. After Loeb leaves WRC, has 3-4 top guns and it wouldn't be surprising if they aren't so interested in Hyundai. Sure Hyundai needs some experience as well. When Peogeot hired Grönholm he was still basically unproven talent. Hänninen was basically unknown when he joined Skoda. Where the heck Citroen found Ogier? It's very much possible that Hyundai or any other new team won't get a top gun unless they "make" him themselves.

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Originally Posted by mikkov

Hänninen was basically unknown when he joined Skoda.

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I beg to differ

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Originally Posted by mikkov

Where the heck Citroen found Ogier?

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That's very good question. The French have very well working talent searching system through popular one-make cups held with small cars. Ogier came from this kind of competition among dozens of young drivers (I think Loeb too). If You follow that at least a bit You can expect who could be next. I would bet we will hear about names like Gilbert, Bonnefis, Lefevbre in the future.