And Ostberg?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
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And Ostberg?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Only way Breen is overlooked for Ostberg is if Mads is bringing a lot of budget again to pay for the 3rd car.
I can't see Citroen running just a two car team, if they're pushing the boat out for Lappi and Seb they'll surely be targeting both championships. So 3cars are the way to go.
I also think that for a manuf. the manuf. championship is equally, if not more important.
What about Skoda drivers? Rovanperä is confirmed but what happens to Tidemand, Kopecky, Nordgren?
Škoda promised some news soon, probably lineup will be included?
Btw, where does the Citroen money suddenly come from to pay Ogier, maybe Lappi and probably a 3rd car ? Red Bull is some but it will take more than that.
They didnt have the money for proper WRC testing not so long ago and the Meeke sacking was said to be partly money-saving on shells... strange turnaround.
Toyota; Tanak, Meeke, JML
Hyundai; Neuville, Mikkelsen, Sordo/Paddon
Citroen; Ogier, Lappi, Ostberg
That's what it's starting to look like for 3 teams, with M-sport an unknown. If I was Malcolm I'd get Tidemand in one of the Fiesta's for the full season along with Suninen. Don't think Evans has done enough or shown enough potential speed, but he could stay or get replaced by Breen/Paddon. I'd take both over Evans tbh, but guess it'll all come down to money.
MSport Ford; Tidemand, Suninen, Breen/Evans/Paddon?
Find it hard to believe that Tidemand will go MSport. Malcolm is in love with paying drivers and Tidemands management is all against it. Yet he is not proven in WRC to demand much.
Ford would want Ostberg just as much as Citroen considering Malcom likes drivers with some funding. Would make sense for Ostberg to head to Ford and Breen stay at Citroen. I hear Citroen is okay with 2 drivers for 2018 and a rotation of drivers for the third car. I have no idea if Abu Dhabi is out or if Red Bull will no longer sponsor Ogier... This was an issue at one point.
Ford = Suninen, Ostberg and Evans
Citroen = Ogier, Lappi and rotation of drivers.
My friend at TGR just told me "what if JML went to Ford" but I think he's just pulling my leg.
Yeah but Ostberg doesn't want Msport and Malcolm's cars. He wants Citroen and only if they don't want his budget, will he revert back to Msport.Quote:
Originally Posted by racerx1979
For me the logical step for JML would be M-sport. then Toyota would be open for Breen, ostberg, sordo or paddon with a 1 year contract + someone like tidemand. Then they could get Rovanperä or Huttunen for 2020 or some other rising star to be sweet.
I'm sure Ostberg just wants a paid drive no matter who it is.. lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
True, but he isn't going to get that anywhere ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by racerx1979
I don't know why Latvala would want to leave Toyota for a probably slower car with less development funding though? (assuming Toyota still want him, which seems likely at this stage).Quote:
Originally Posted by Essaj
It would be a big risk to take only for what, undisputed team No.1 status? I don't think he's that much of an egotist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
And finally why not Latvala as 2nd driver in Citroën :confused:
With all the rumors of Lappi negotiating with Citroen...how would you suddenly think of that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Simply because being second driver to a French driver in a French team maybe is not an ideal situation?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
now he is at a Fin team ,with Estonian driver and is not ideal too.Quote:
Originally Posted by jonkka
He have that job at the Volkswagen, always shadow. He doesn't need that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
There is nothing logical about it, they are there for the manuf. title so if they hire a rookie, their 2. driver has to be better than medium.Quote:
Originally Posted by Essaj
He would have that job everywhere at the moment, except maybe MSport.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
Ogier has a 2-year deal. Said by the driver himself during interview with Lequipe.
In a way it's bad news cause it says Citroen is not sure if they are committed in 2021. (or more like Ogier is not sure if Citroen will be committed)
But before Finland most people were expecting Citroen to leave after 2018, so 2 years with real commitment (= Ogier) is quite a step up already.
Jérôme Bourret
@jeromebourret
Replying to @MarcinZabolski @planetemarcus and 7 others
I can confirm it’s a 2 year deal. Said by the driver himself during our exclusive interview for @lequipe
With Ogiers move, M-Sport cost base would be significantly reduced for 2019 and i would bet that Malcolm is using this to develope best car for 2020 season and put some money aside with the aim to lure Ott back when his contract ends with Toyota. 2019 season for them would be development and just getting by with cheap or paying guys who might get occasional podium.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Thanks for the info ;)
On most websites I've read they wrote only 2019 for Seb' at Citroën :mark:
thats why i posted it,it wasnt clear from various websites,including official site and autosport.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Unbelievable amateurs to dont mention that.
@Indreq New Fiesta R5 and possible Fiesta R3 should be profitable too.
Not to mention new R2 based on the new body style. The R2 is becoming the go-to set up for many regional rally drivers. I'm in the market for an R2T, but waiting to hear about the new R2 which will be announced soon. MSport knows what they are doing...
Profits from this is the reason why they are able to participate as private team in highest level at all. But that doesnt mean that they are flush with money. But i quess now that Ogiers move is public, rest will announce their movements soon and we can see if my gut feeling is correct or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
https://twitter.com/haydenpaddon/sta...23851923361792
Paddon’s support merch will remain the same for 2019 so he stays at Hyundai?
Good spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Pics are quite small so text isn't easy to read but it seems to say "Hyundai New Zealand" and not "Hyundai World Rally Team", meaning he may not drive for WRT, at least not in all rallies?Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
https://twitter.com/haydenpaddon/sta...90316701577216
Paddon says it shouldn’t affect his WRC deals but difficult to imagine him driving for another team while having local business with Hyundai...
Are we expecting the Lappi news this week or after GB?
Didnt Daniel Elena pretty much confirm it already? I heard someone talking about it today, i havent looked for source yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
Citroen Wales press release says Breen and Østberg are _still_ a part of the team ;)
So no Lappi deal for Citroën in 2019 :confused:
Well ofcourse they are. Just like Ogier is still representing Msport ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
i looked for source - seems like Daniel Elena is confirming Lappi rumors by attaching finnish flag to his tweet:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
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