No, the answer is - on the front
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No, the answer is - on the front
Both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
And what has Petter done this year to deserve it?
Even as a fan, he's done very little. However, who deserves it more? Potentially only Paddon, Meeke or Juho assuming Sordo goes to Citroen, but I'd still say Petter is much quicker than those 3. Not as consistent perhaps, but quicker. Petter isn't a title challenger based on this season, however I'd fancy him to win races while Ostberg, Paddon, Meeke et al are still not there yet, either through lack of experience or simply lack of pace. Yes I know Ostberg has won this season, and is leading at the moment, however both were in odd circumstances. On pace alone he's nowhere near Petter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
How about Tanak? He is consistent lately in his first WRC year, Probably Ford will make a good team of 2 young ambitious drivers. Solberg began this year well, but the second part is a disaster really, even not fighting for the victory...
Hmm still not sure about Tanak - may make it one day but certainly too risky to drop Petter for Tanak. However rubbish Petter's season has been, he's still got almost as many points as Latvala, who a lot of people think is one of the top guys in the WRC, while Tanak has not really shone at all. I'd even put Novikov ahead of Tanak.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
Yes, Novikov is fast this year, but is not comparable with his few WRC years already, still error prone and his navigator is changing, and is not certain who's gonna be 2013, so I cannot put it as safe bet, while Tanak is really progressing if you compare their first WRC years.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
Sorry to the mods for a brief off-topic while the rally is sleeping, but it's an interesting point! I fully agree Petter doesn't deserve a top seat, however I still feel he's in the top 5 or 6 rally drivers in the world despite his recent form and therefore it makes sense for him to be picked. He's also excellent for publicity and still has the most fans by a distance. Putting pressure on Ostberg and Tanak to lead a top team like Ford is a huge risk, and could stunt their growth. Petter or Sordo needs to be the main driver there, and let Ostberg consistently pick up points as the top drivers crash and make errors. Maybe one day Ostberg will be quick enough to win in normal conditions, but as it is I really don't think he's capable. Only 10 stage wins before this rally, and 5 of them came in Italy while others were cruising. As for Tanak v Novikov, a pointless debate for me! Both are rank average at the moment compared to the top guys, but Tanak admittedly has potential, while Novikov has excellent little bursts now and again. Come back to me in 3 years and maybe Tanak will be a factory driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
Day 1 Highlights: WRC 2012 Spain Day 1 - YouTube
A very unusual rally this one!
About Petter I was pretty annoyed that he crashed out yet again. With all the younger drivers coming up he will have to battle for his seat. However I think Petter would still win this battle, IMO he is still quicker than the youngsters. I think eventually Tanak or Novikov will push him out of a seat, but that time is not yet.
Agreed - summed up my thoughts in a slightly more concise way than I did!Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
Im sorry as much as i admire Peter he hasnt won a WRC rally since 2005 - thats seven years !! , he can drive to a certain pace when he goes over that he goes off . How many times has he taken front corners off cars this year ? I think someone else said he has retired seven times this year , his time has gone give someone else a chance and maybe with testing etc of the type that Jari Mati and Petter have enjoyed this year maybe the likes of Tanak ,Novikov , or Ostberg would improve and be more consistint - instead of Jari Mati and Petter consistintly crashing !!! Its either one or the other all the year ... :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
I said that Solberg has retired six times.. now it is seventh.. if I am not wrong. You have to keep in mind the fact that Novikov and Tänak get around zero test kilometers, Ostberg gets as many as he has resousrces (not too much) while Solberg and Latvala are testing for days. Also Neuville gets pretty many test km. On that light, Ostbergs results are just fabulous.
Don't disagree with much of that, however Petter and JML crashing is a sign of how hard they're having to push at the moment. Ostberg may finish every event, however he isn't pushing very hard and finishes minutes down on the winner. Petter and JML push hard to either get a top result or be unfortunate and retire. Having both in the same team is dangerous, however Petter and Ostberg would make a good team, especially without Loeb so Petter doesn't feel the need to push as hard to keep up.Quote:
Originally Posted by irish_tiger
Ostberg is hardly a novice though - he's been in the WRC for about 5 years. And yes, testing would make a huge difference, however even with no testing I'd expect someone who is ready for a top seat (i.e. be able to challenge for the title/rally wins) to show occasional flashes of pace. You can get lucky or teach consistency, but it's harder to teach speed.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
edit: don't want to dismiss Ostberg's achievements, but still can't fully see the hype. Good driver, not a great one.
There's an old adage which says "if you continue to do what you've always done, you'll continue to get what you've always got".
pettersolberg29, you're very opinionated on who should be in nthe teams & who has the credentials. I don't believe that you're on the money with either and in fact the continued promotion of Petter is, sadly, a recipe for continued failure.
Second leg is about to start :cool:
Started!
Loeb slower than Östberg on split 1 SS7...I hope it won't last :mark:
Ostberg's soft tyres are working well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Latvala too fast :mad:
Latvala is flying! There are two options of saying goodbye to Ford...
Today or tomorrow?
Latvala on crashing pace.
So perhaps JML will be fighting for the win! :D
curious about Nikaras speed on tarmac, really hope he can keep the pace and make it to the finish!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kielder
On next SS8 and its 45km...bye bye Latvala :p :
Sordo faster than Loeb on penultimate split ;)
Nikara not that faster than Weijs on split 1 SS7 ;)
Quoting "KiwiWRCfan: new career for Mathew Wilson - shoe shine man for factory drivers."
Sordo's car onto three cylinders.
Many things have to change in that car for the future, who knows who'll drive it (apart from Nobre and "drivers" like him).
It's a shame, he was on track for a good time as well..Quote:
Originally Posted by Kielder
Flat out or nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderem
That's the way to do it :up:
But at the end of the stage he is by 4.6 seconds ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
More than ever. In addition, he is not going to use the car anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
I don't know which is the destiny that the last official Ford deserves, a win or a crash.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kielder
If he returns to Citroën he will have the material to show what he's made of until the end of each rally next year ;)
Latval is too fast, or Loeb is lazy this morning :confused:
Obviously win but to be honest, Latvala may get individual stage wins on tarmac but in the long run, Loeb just pushes through. We all know Loeb will win this rally if he doesn't face any misfortune.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kielder
Anyone else noticing Paddon's splits, impressive!
indeed :D someone has to replace Ogier's pace now...