Is Mikko the 'current Nordic / Scandinavian WRC star" thats rumoured to be jointing World Rally X next year?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostmourne
Is Mikko the 'current Nordic / Scandinavian WRC star" thats rumoured to be jointing World Rally X next year?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostmourne
I thought that would be Henning? ( :D )Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
TBH he better stays in WRCQuote:
Originally Posted by Miika
I'm sorry for him, but it's true... he'll probably be remembered as the biggest one of the never beens, 4 times 2nd in the championship final standings (even if only twice fighting for the title)Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Mikko Hirvonen @MikkoWRC · 7 ώρες
@OpensTightens @TimoAnis @voiceofrally looks like the journalists has decided to end my career before I have :-)
Malcolm isn't happy either.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115305
Harsh words there but understandable. The last time I remember Wilson making such comments was about Tanak's performance and all the crashing in the middle of 2012.
I would say it is bye bye for Mikko
on a side note, was Malcom Wilson in Finland?
Henning is already in WRX driving the Per Eklund Saab and taking over Liam Dooran's DS3 in Canada since he lost his license for yelling at marshals when his dad's Ford RS200 was burning up at Lydden Hill.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miika
Classic Wilson, but he is right of course. But for me it seems that none of the drivers are enjoying enough these days, they are so serious all the time...Quote:
Originally Posted by EightGear
I hate it for Mikko, but I think his time in WRC is running out. It's a shame, because he is more than capable of being a champion, but when you're competing against superhumans such as Loeb (and now Sebastien No.2), your progress is bound to be halted. I also agree with Malcolm, I don't think Mikko is really enjoying this anymore. I hope he can reach the top step of the podium soon.
Malcolm was there.Quote:
Originally Posted by makinen_fan
You can see from outside if someone attacking the stage with the car. I saw it at 3 VW, Meeke and Hanninen. Mikko was cruising a bit.
You are correct, though admittedly Mikko was the best of the rest - just like the results tell too.Quote:
Originally Posted by amilk
Personally I wasn't expecting too much from Mikko. For me the biggest dissappointments in Rally Finland were Mads Östberg and Andreas Mikkelsen (and Nikara, but for other reason). Östberg was lost throughout the event until he had to retire and Mikkelsen I was expecting to keep up with JML and Ogier at least for some time, but he didn't seem to have that extra raw speed this time.
In the words of BB King - The thrill is gone. Mikko's last statement, if accurately reported, in the Autosport item indicates a mind-set of looking for reasons to avoid pushing to the limit. Some sportsmen only have so much reserve of enthusiasm and Mikko shows all the signs of burn out.
IF you know before the event you have a non competitive car you dont perform better. Or cant. Its in your head. Mikko did very good after circumstances. IF you saw him live you'd understand.
I admit Mikkos has peaked but with right material he still could win events. (I know Citroën was good car but didnt suit or wasnt that good last two years)
Everyone could say "if I can just drive better car....or have some more luck.... and so on". So all of them are in the same position except VW drivers as it seems. Anyway I don't think Hirvonen would win even 1 Rally win Polo.... he just seem not "there" anymore somehow.
http://www.rally.it/mikko-ci-pensa-e-forse-lascia/ sounds intresting...
Sadly it seems so... I always thought that they key to sucess was, to barrow the tune from Ian Drury:Quote:
Originally Posted by COD
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfp8xrNAS6I
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Worked for me when I was nearing burn-out.
Mikko not continuing in M-Sport and (according to the manager) not looking for any other options either, since there aren´t any. Although Mr. Manager making it sound as if M-Sport isn´t good enough for Mikko, not the other way around.
http://yle.fi/urheilu/ei_enaa_nalkaa...alliin/7437044
Looks like it is all over for Mikko. Several news sources reporting he will be replaced by Tanak at the end of the season.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Miika
But Tanak? Had his chances as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
Compared to Mikko Ott has about a decade of chances ahead of him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Mikko posted this on his fb right now:
Damn… Lot of rumors and talks last night about my future !
Nothing has been decided yet but for sure, I’m considering all the possibilities. So, when I have made my decision, I will let you all know what I will do for coming years.
Thanks for your support !
And compared to Pontus has a lot more experience about the rallies and driving a WRC car. Remember, he has a full season with Msport showing really good speed. I think it's impossible to see a team of Evans and Tidemand at this point. Moreover Pontus had only one decent drive in a WRC car in Sweden 2013 and after that nothing impressive. Don't fool yourselves about his win over Tanak in Germany, Ott was driving with Dmack, a lot inferior tyres and in a WRC car Tanak is ages ahead of Pontus. Just compare their times in Sweden this year bearing in mind Ott didn't drive WRC rally since 2012.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miika
Mikko has been off the pace for too long, its time he stopped.
Sadly I can see M-Sport pulling out as well and just supplying cars to privateers.
I see the opposite- FMC coming back in 2015/16.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Why would Ford come back in 2015/16? I see no reasons, moreover the Fiesta would be quite old...Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
Just saying. Not explicit PT should be there, but he could very well be second choice. M-sport economical status has to make us prepared for any driver in the line up who can pay.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage82
I see same as noel157... if new regs will interest Manufacturers, then FMC will be back. Furthermore, FMC is no more Uefa Champions League (replaced by Nissan) sponsor... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
I just don't see a manufacturer coming back with an "old" car... I wonder what commercial value would have for them to officially support M-Sport with Fiesta Mk6, with a new car would be another thing, but has Ford any "newer" car suitable for WRC?Quote:
Originally Posted by Motorsportfun
Yes maybe you are right about the paying driver in Msport but M. Wilson himself had mentioned Ott as a very possible choice for next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Exactly, there is no change whatsoever for Ford to come back officially in 2015 or 2016. If they do make a comeback (which I very much doubt), it is going to be in 2017 at the earliest - new rules, new car. Also, if Toyota is coming back to WRC from 2017 and VW & Hyundai are still in the game I don't really see any sense in a Ford comeback without a true financial commitment on the level of VW, Hyundai and possibly Toyota.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
What I do believe is M-Sport "rent a car" team continuing in 2015/16 with Mr. Wilson all the time looking to find a possible new factory partner. Evans will stay, whoever is gonna be the second/third car remains to be seen. Kubica and Tänak are strong possibilities. There have been some rumors that M-Sport might run with Pirelli tyres, in exchange for some Pirelli financial support...
Thanks Colin.Quote:
Originally Posted by [WRCRR]
Well, M-Sport have now at least introduced the facelifted car now, so they are now rallying the car Ford are actually selling in the showrooms. And look at VW, they entered the WRC with what was by 2013 a Polo that was over three years 'old'.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
Saying that though, I can't see Ford coming back now before the next Fiesta comes out post 2017. I thought they might come back this year or next with the facelifted Fiesta, but as we haven't heard anything by now I can't see it happening.
Even if Ford wanted to came back as an official manufacturer team, I cant see that the last few years results would encourage them to continue with M-Sport...
And is M-Sport actually getting good PR themselves by carrying on and getting regularly beaten by the full manufacturer teams ?
I wouldn't worry about M-Sport, and PR; the GT3 Bentley in the Blancpain Endurance series is providing more than enough.
This is the kind of something different he should have done long time ago
Mikko can still be a great No.2 driver, so he might be a good option for Hyundai. A new team with no budget worries and a plan for the future will no doubt help him mentally.
I disagree. Mikko would be a great third driver of the team. If Hyundai wants to be a champ, they need two fast drivers BUT, they also need someone with experience with developing the car. Now, I don't know if there's faster drivers available than Mikko but if there isn't the situation is bad. WRC needs new blood. I've always said that it's better to burn out than fade away. Mikko's has been fading away and that is also sad. He is a great guy and has won what, 15 rallies. Everyone here knows that he is faster than he has driven last couple of years. Back to the point. He would have something usefull to give for a new team developmentwise but the his prize tag should be way lower in order to raise any interest. My two cents and my two cents are free.
Some of which are thanks to team leader status which saw number two sacrificing a position in favour of Mikko.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
My opinion, not necessarily substantiated by reality, is that Mikko is a prime example of why number two should not be relegated to "make it to finish and score solid manufacturer's points for us" -role. While this provides valuable experience for a young driver and benefits the team in the championship, it also educates the driver to go for sure points instead of attacking all out.
Compare Mikko's privateer half-season of 2005 with next few years when he played second fiddle to Gronholm at Ford. In 2005 he had fire in him which I think got somewhat doused during Wilson's coaching for sure finish over out-and-out performance. From Wilson's point of view this was perfectly rational but for Mikko it was wrong approach. Once you learn to make it to finish, you can't switch aggression on if suddenly needed. As per NOT's favourite figure of speech, well beaten dog is never a pack leader.
Mikko still has much to do. A driver on podium in PS and winning stages although not over all must have a place in teams. Still it´s true many drivers are as fast as Mikko but maybe competition has hardened last year or two. It must have been that way, because other way around WRC hasn´t stopped developed (drivers cars teams).
Mikko had his peak though before his heavvy crash in Finland 2010 and I do believe it has hampered him since then (a bit)