Silly Season 2019

Jourdan Serderidis announced his retirement on his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SerderidisJourdan/

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Originally Posted by racerx1979

I thought there was an interview where Mads mentioned he could not get updated parts until the very minute. He also mentioned support was not all that great at that time.

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You are correct. Mads was specifically unhappy with M-Sport.

https://www.rallit.fi/rallin-mm-sarj...ty-hyundaihin/

Referring to the latest edition of Motorsport News, Finnish rally media rallit.fi is reporting that Craig Breen has been in talks with Hyundai and the team has postponed their driver announcements due to "final minute negotiations" (would be nice to see the original quote though). Favoring Breen over Paddon (if that's the question) doesn't seem to make any sense, but then again, neither did Toyota signing Meeke.

Original link https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...future-quickly

And Tidemand? now or never...

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Originally Posted by Allez Andruet

https://www.rallit.fi/rallin-mm-sarj...ty-hyundaihin/

Referring to the latest edition of Motorsport News, Finnish rally media rallit.fi is reporting that Craig Breen has been in talks with Hyundai and the team has postponed their driver announcements due to "final minute negotiations" (would be nice to see the original quote though). Favoring Breen over Paddon (if that's the question) doesn't seem to make any sense, but then again, neither did Toyota signing Meeke.

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From results (stage wins, points, points per rally, retirements, anything) I don't know why anybody at Hyundai would consider this - it'd make more sense if Breen was from some key targeted market for Hyundai or something but they're both from sparsely populated countries on the poorer side of developed. Maybe Paddon is wavering about some other offer and they want a backup?

Definitely agree. Replacing Paddon with Breen just doesn't make any sense. Pure sign of panic - if the story has any credibility in the first place...

I thought Breen had virtually driven himself out of a job in the last few rallies. Way too many mistakes! I thought his only option may be bringing some budget to M-Sport!

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Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira

And Tidemand? now or never...

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Only if Erik Veiby/EVEN are willing/able to pay Malcolm. Seems like the right time for all involved. Like you say, now or never I imagine.

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Originally Posted by Allez Andruet

Definitely agree. Replacing Paddon with Breen just doesn't make any sense. Pure sign of panic - if the story has any credibility in the first place...

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I did read a wild speculation that Mikkelsen might be leaving his Hyundai contract as he can't get on with the car etc, nothing to really support the idea (and still other reasons why he wouldn't leave), but if he went to M-Sport then Hyundai could have Paddon full time and be wanting another driver to share with Sordo.