Originally Posted by Plan9
Here are some of my thoughts on the Meek-Mini-Prodrive situation:
I think Meeke would be at Monte Carlo is he had a big backer or maybe a few more than the ones he has. Perhaps Red Bull or Codemasters could have make an investment into him.
I also feel that as he crashed quite a bit Mini-Prodrive lost a bit of patience with him, whereas Sordo (who may not be at the team long term) did complete most of the rallies and brought home alot more technical; data than Meeke so on balance it would be wrong to punish Sordo in favor of Meeke if they only has one car.
Other issues that could have been a factor include North One Sport and the clown in charge there, BMW worried about the controversy that could have emerged. Also Richards probably was not able to find a third party of join up with them; earlier in the year several of his press releases referred to Prodrive gaining more autonomy from BMW.
I expect that BMW would have like a win in 2011 and reduced funding as a performance incentive.
Does anyone know if Meeke will be allowed to do the shakedowns of all events this year, he and Dani actually did every event in this way in 2011. If this is the case and Meeke does get the full time drive in 2013 his chances of winning a title will not be reduced as much because he will have experience on the wide variety of roads offered in the season.
I think if Meeke does any rallies this year they will not be in a top spec car as Prodrive will want to flatter the gentleman drivers as much as possible. I have nothing but contempt for all the driver who will be in the #52 car as they have not earned the right. I expect Paddon may be offered it in NZ if they attend the event.
Maybe Meeke can look beyond 2012 and try and find a team that will buy him out of his current contract. Otherwise I can't see him amounting to much more than what he was at Citroen ie, the talent was there but his wallet was not fat enough and he did not have the right passport.
I hope I am wrong on that last point.
By the way, can we start a Meeke thread??? He is an interesting driver and I think there will be alot to discuss about him in the months ahead.
