It is a kind of record? Only 33 rallies to be official driver?
EDIT: Ogier did it :)
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It is a kind of record? Only 33 rallies to be official driver?
EDIT: Ogier did it :)
Nice move from Wilson.
I don't think this choice is about money. In all these years Wilson picked a lot of young promising guys (Solberg, Duval, Hirvonen, Latvala, Tanak, Evans) with limited (or even none) funds, and give them the opportunity to shine at WRC top level.
Now it's Camilli time. Best luck to him!
Yeah, but Ogier actually won something before that. That doesn't mean Camilli won't, very surprising nonetheless, let's see how it goes...Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
In the case of Camilli and Lefebrve they haven't even proved themselves to be amongst the best in the next category down yet. In F1 it is common for GP2 backmarkers to make the jump but the top WRC drivers should be a pretty elite group.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Of course it's about the money. The FFA will pay for everything. M-Sport needs the money to develope the 2017 WRC car. Even Mads is bringing money in.
I don't understand why people are saying that you can't compare Camilli in WRC2 because Fiesta R5 is so bad. Kajetanowicz won ERC with it.
In Spain, even Suninen was beating him on gravel. Indeed on tarmac Camilli was decent.
In Finland a lot of Fiesta R5 were faster than him. For example Pärn.
In Portugal he was a lot slower than Ketomaa and in the stages that went good for him, he lost 1s per km.
In Wales he had problems defending off Suninen who was with a old S2000 car
I have nothing against Camilli but to say that he was picked for he's raw speed and talent is baloney. The saddest part is that Evans doesn't have a seat anymore.
The money arrived to Wilsons account.. sorry, the decision was probably made a long time ago already. Look at the M-Sport press releases from Spain and GB, Camilli was real star fro M-Sport there.
Such an understatement of Lefebvre's case. He won JWRC and JERC in 2014 and he's pace in R2 at the time was unmatched. He's move up to 4WD has been disappointing, but at least I have not given up on him yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Tommi Mäkinen Racing is still building up their first Yaris WRC chassises in Puuppola. They have not tested yet a metre. In interviews Tommi has said they will start testing in March the earliest. If someone knows better, correct me if I'm wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lundefaret
I completely agree, I have not given up on him either. At least he had a balanced programme this year but generally i think drivers would benefit from some more experience before being thrown in to a full WRC programme. It didn't work out too well for Evans it seems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
Colin Clark @voiceofrally
No really surprise at M-Sport. Supporting two drivers with no major sponsor wasn't sustainable. Economics had to play a part in decision
Camilli is one hell of a surprise, can't say I have ever seen him and thought that he looked quick. Maybe he takes the French, smooth style to another level..
Really hoping Evans can get some kind of WRC deal for next season, and not have to step back to WRC2.
It will be interesting to see what Citroen do with Lefebvre next year. He had an amazing programme this year for a young driver. A huge amount of seat time in various different series - which is good because he does need to gain that experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
If he can do some events in PH Sport next year at WRC level he can continue to develop under the radar. I have to admit he's not convinced me - I don't really see a spark - but I am guilty sometimes of forgetting how young he is.
FFSA didn't paid TMG to hire Camilli...Quote:
Originally Posted by wrc45
Camilli record is quite impressive, considering that two seasons ago he was doing local rallyes in a R1 car and 2015 was his first season in a 4wd car and in WRC.
So far he didn't win anything, but he's showing an amazing learning curve (as this season 2nd part proves). Hope next year he'll manage to fulfill all these positive indications.
Of course everyone feels sorry for Evans, but this year he was a bit disappointing. Fortunately, MSport already said he'll have something next year (WRC2+some WRC events?).
I can't believe people think FFSA funded this drive, maybe a small bit but not enough for the whole drive. I find that bullshit, said it to Colin Clark also that a federation can't pay that, he must acknowledge that Evans didn't do what he had to do. Eventhough he is from GB.
Camilli will be the surprise of the next year.
Lefebvre did win and proved himself in 2wd and with 4wd he was right behind Skodas and won Monte. When in a WRC he set very good times in his very first outing in Germany, while having some problems on gravel. The fact is that 13 years of Sebs dominance have raised too much our expectations regarding young drivers.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Elfyn= WRC2, BRC, and some WRC rounds..?
we will see but you need experience at this level and he hasn't got it that much and it can be very costly. Yes, his progess is somewhat impressive but i dont see that special thing in him. Cant wait the season to begin.Quote:
Originally Posted by spyros
Shame for Elfyn, but cash is `King`. Cant really blame M Sport, but they have gone for a real wild card here!
Do You suggest that Camilli bought the seat? Do You have any proof for that? I'm really surprised with the choice of him as well though.Quote:
Originally Posted by bassist
very true.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
Loeb became official driver for Citroen at 29 rallies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
I guess no reason to assume Camilli is paying. If Wilson reportedly put two guys in cars without funding this year - having Ostberg money, plus a chunk from Bertelli puts him in a much better situation. Thinking about it if Camilli was so well funded surely he'd have done more rallies up to this point?
And both Loeb and Ogier had very limited experience even from local French events.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Let's not forget a lot of money from D-Mack too :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Message from Craig Breen's co-driver this morning sounds like they were hoping to get the M-Sport seat..
😡😡😡 this goes down as bad news Monday. Not a good start to my week! Knew there was a reason I didn't sleep last night ! #rally #2016
i just searched Loeb palmares,and when he became Citroen official driver( at end of November 2000),he had compete outside of France,at 4(!!!) rallies only.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
At 1999 Catalunya,Corsica,San Remo with Saxo kit car
At 2000 Corsica with Corolla wrc
If the tenth man in WRC2 is the best man for the job then everybody else should slow down! Mystery solved!
I would be surprised if he stays there 2017. Why else is Elfyn still in the team.
2016 money drivers in
2017 Tänak and Evans in, Tänak or Evans in
Ostberg is getting paid for the seatQuote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Was thinking the same! Of course Lefebvre won JWRC last year and WRC2 in Monte Carlo, but nothing else during this season. Yes, he had many problems with the bad DS3 R5, but made also many crashes and mistakes and was not able to fight with the WRC2 top drivers. Nothing impressive also behind the wheel of the DS3 WRC, but we have to remember that Citroën seems something else and he did not need to show his speed, but just learning.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Surely it would have better for Lefebvre to try to win WRC2 Championship first and exactly the same thing with Camilli. He has so little experience at all that it will be a huge risk if he is not able to show something special next year. We know that Malcolm Wilson has always high hopes about a new driver, but after one or two years he will lost his interest if the driver is not fighting all the time with the top drivers.
But both of them are the French drivers and they are dominating the WRC nowadays, so it will be possible that they are following the route of Loeb and Ogier...
I think Wilson is planning really long-term and really seriously thinks that Camilli is the one that could be a future champion. He is probably totally tired of having these 'good' drivers and wants one that shows the potential to be 'great'.
Plodding along finishing last of the WRC teams is only acceptable for so long before its time to make a big change and try to develop someone into the best driver.
There's just no point in M-Sport staying in the WRC otherwise.
Yes, Camilli and Gilbert looks potential great drivers. Lets wait.
If Wilson wants to find the next champion he should pick up the phone and hire Emil Bergkvist for a Fiesta R5 program in ERC.
Gilbert? He has been around for years and finally won JWRC against much less experienced competition. His star has stopped shining years ago.
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by macebig
Can't wait to see how he develops. He could be an absolute star in the making, but sometimes it comes down to getting the right opportunity at the right time. He'll likely make the most of it.
The driver should be Protasov
Wilson stays at wrc for money,not for championships.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
If he win the championship,he is not going to sell/rent even 1 more car,than now.So there is no reason to spend millions for drivers.
Of course he will be at wrc forever,regardless championships and whatever positions he take.
Seriously?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Maybe in the past, but M-Sport is doing well financially nowadays and I think he wants to see some real rally success in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
imho Wilson will search seriously for a top driver only with someone else money(ford,or other big sponsor)Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Wilson prefers his bank account success better.For the future he just wants to earn some more.And thats something totally right.