[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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Originally Posted by bluuford

Guys..have you seen PG driving in Rally Sweden.. totally crazy..bounching from one snow pile to another, cutting, doing all kind of spectacular things. But from the outside view you could almost bet that with such a style, it is not possible to cover the whole rally distance. Have you noticed that his cars do not last quite often? There is always a reason;-)

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The very same applies for Meeke even in events where there is nothing to fight for - like Ypres this year ;)

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Originally Posted by RS

Exactly, Neuville is a good example. A bit unreliable in year one but look at him in year two..

I thought Meeke's pace in Finland and Australia was excellent.

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Meeke is already 34 years. He had time enough to do WRC rallies with a WRC car and he has shown only accidents and a few good stage times, that is all what he has done in the WRC... while Neuville is one of the greatest young talents, you can't say that about Meeke.

For me, Meeke and Hirvonen are the most overrating drivers in the last couple of years. They had their chances.

Andersson is only very fast in Sweden and in Norwegian national rallies in the past. There are better Swedes than him at the moment, like as example Pontus Tidemand.

I think Meeke still deserves a fair chance to prove his capabilities in WRC car. He has shown excellent pace in the two rally's he could do in WRC car this season. I think Matton would make the right choice to put him into Citroen. Anyhow, there are not too many drivers around who can make better times then Meeke, at least no drivers who are available. ;)

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Originally Posted by RS

Apart from that I don't think they "lost" Hirvonen to Ford you've hit the nail on the head. There is nobody out there available right now who can beat VW to the titles next year so they may as well try something radical and different.

Are we sure Kubica is going to Ford? I thought that he and Meeke could have fitted the plan nicely. But I can see maybe Ostberg will end up at Citroen if he is paying.

Tanak is a nice idea but he doesn't seem to be in the radar of anyone right now. He needs to get back to active competition, whether that is a couple of rounds in a good WRCar or a proper bid for ERC or maybe WRC2. I am sure he is trying for that :)

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Yeah, lost was just an expression ;-)

I do not hink Ostberg is good idea for Citroen. He is always complaining about the set-up of his car (despite many hours of testing) and I remember him saying that he got some set-up adwise from his fater for the second part of GB.. get real!!! Who is drivin the car? Better if he stays at Ford. Then we would have two good and consistent drivers in Ford.

I do not think it is good idea to put Kubica straight into the Manufacturer seat. He has done only 0.3 rallies with real WRcar and the pressure would be too big.. and as we learned.. with new co-driver. I would say that it would not be radical, it would be almost stupid for the team and for himself as well. However, they can change drivers during the season.

Do not be so sure about Ott ;-)

I would say Tanak wasn't such a bad choice for Citroen atm. They have to try something as the drivers available to them ain't much cop apart from Meeke.

Kubica - Will be awesome, but lacks experience, however he would be my 2nd choice after Meeke.
Ostberg - When you look at how many events he's done including national ones, he really isn't that special. Had a great season in '12 but that's it.
Duval - Desparation if they choose a driver who was trashing cars 6 or 7 years ago, and having done very little since.
Hirvonen - Hope he is in a Ford next year. He's still one of the most consistant drivers, just had a bad season in '13.

To be honest Citroen might as well put Seb Chardonet in the car early if he is thier future star?

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Originally Posted by Doon

To be honest Citroen might as well put Seb Chardonet in the car early if he is thier future star?

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I somehow fail to see Chardonnet as such super talented driver. Maybe Gilbert or Lefevbre can do more?

Me neither, but i got the impression Citroen seem to think so? I'd say over the season Keith Cronin has shown the most promise of the DS3 R3 gang.

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Originally Posted by Doon

Me neither, but i got the impression Citroen seem to think so?

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Somewhat like Ford's moto, Citroen's should be "If you wanna win, take Sebastien" :D

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Originally Posted by Mirek

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Originally Posted by Doon

To be honest Citroen might as well put Seb Chardonet in the car early if he is thier future star?

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I somehow fail to see Chardonnet as such super talented driver. Maybe Gilbert or Lefevbre can do more?

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Gilbert imho is faster among them.

Let's say something crazy: Hans Weijs.

He still has a good connection to Yves Matton and has been one of the main test drivers for the R5 this year. I suppose his entry in the DS3 R3 in Wales wasn't just for fun either, and he drove a WRC in a round of the French gravel championship.

I know it's not really realistic, but he could be a factor (maybe for an R5 program).