[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

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Originally Posted by pantealex

MotorsportMonday´s Prokop story says that new 2015 WRC-cars are only WRC use
There will NOT be RRC-version of those new ones.

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could be a problem for teams that aim to make some spot race in wrc and erc using one car...

Hyundai confirmed that D.Sordo will remain with the team for 2015 and 2016.

Dani Sordo confirmed to be the second driver for Hyundai in 2015 and 2016! Hyundai Motorsport ‏@HyundaiWRC Exciting news! We’re happy to announce @DaniSordo as one of the #HyundaiWRC drivers for 2015 and 2016!
I'm a little bit dissapointed as I really hope to see Juho in the second car.

A little bit surprised to be honest, i thought it would be Paddon.

Maybe Paddon, Tanak etz didn´t have cv enough? Just my thought even if I´d love to see HP in a third car.

Well, i think they will keep Hanninen aswell for specialist rally's like Sweden, Poland and Finland and offcorse to develop the new car. For sure there will be a third car and Paddon is one pole-position for that seat. Only the news will come a bit later. There's no rush for bringing on that news i suppose. Maybe all the details are not fixed.
Anyway, think they will go even further with a fourth car on some events, wouldn't suprise me..
What suprises me is a full-season ahead for Sordo in 2016. He's very quick on tarmac, one of the best but on the loose gravel/snow he had his chances but looking back there was not one rally he was impressive. That was the reason Citroën thanked him after 2013, he had showing nothing special and not a guy for the future. So in his negotiation with Hyundai Sordo had done a very good job but i only believe we will see him shining on tarmac.

Think Paddon will get the third car, with Hänninen as mentioned at Sweden, Poland, Finnland, and maybe Bouffier at Monte.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116608

Colin Clark's point of view on Robert Kubica - interview for sport.pl

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Originally Posted by Colin Clark

Of course, you can be disappointed a little bit, but we should remember, that Robert has a lot to overcome. It is his first season in WRC-class car, so don't forget, that fastest cars in the world are driven here. Kubica competes with a problem, we had never seen before. Generally speaking - you have a driver on a highest level, who tries to win a rally having huge confinement. If we look from this point of view, what he did so far is incredible. Robert fights drivers, who are 100% healthful and we see results of it. What he did so far is a big achievement.

Last time, in Spain, on a gravel section, his car has slipped from the road and it was hard for him to get it back on the way. All of it happened, because he's driving with one hand only. In such situations time of reaction is most important, and how fast can you get back on the road. The way he is driving can't allow him to do it. I am not sure if we should call it "errors" - error happens when you do something wrong. He just can't react fast enough to get back on the route. If he'll can overcome this in future, he'll be a real threat for his rivals.

I am very impressed with his diligence. Robert studies onboards and other videos at nights, works very hard with the team, for he could do his best on every rally. I say, he still thinks, that WRC is a big challenge for him and still can achieve a lot here.

I think, we should not expect wins in the next season. It is really hard challenge. Remember we're talking about WRC - we have many fantastic drivers here, best cars and teams. Everyone wants to beat Volkswagen, but at this moment it is hard task. If Robert will handle one or two problems, that disturbs him, a podium will come next year. If you finish on a podium, there's always a chance for win. I think, in next two or three years, he'll be fighting for victories.

In my opinion Robert can have a problem with getting a factory seat, it looks like most of them are occupied. But I don't have any doubts about him staying in WRC.

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Source (in Polish)

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=31134

Some more detail on the Prodrive Golf. Confirms what I think someone suggested here that it is for the Chinese Rally Championship