[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

Motorsport News today adding a bit more fuel to the Neuville-to-Citroen fire.

Matton us tight-lipped as always, but admits pairing Meeke and Neuville is "an option". Says they are the same profile of driver, but that he was able to manage four drivers of the same level in the WTCC. He continues to talk about a long, drawn-out process for selecting drivers

The piece also says sources close to Neuville have admitted it looks like his time with Hyundai is up.


Also regarding Citroen entries for the remainder of the year - Meeke confirms he's doing China and Corsica. But also that he'd like to do GB. Citroen at the moment look like they are taking Breen, Lefebvre and Al-Qassimi to Wales. But Meeke says he'd like to do GB to stay sharp heading into next year.

I'd also heard one of the Citroen drivers was doing Catalunya - but that isn't mentioned in the piece.

Damn, i was hoping for Tänak to Citroen...Meeke-Tänak would be hell of a fast line up!

so Abbring may get his golden chance at Hyundai, he was faster than Breen in ERC but at the moment Breen is definitely faster than him. Abbring always has so many problems at the rallies, basically every rally something with the car. It would be very interesting so how he would develop if he has a whole season. Same goes for Breen of course.

Would Hyundai use Abbring though? I'm a fan, but to me I'd like to see him in a 4th car/R5 for more rallies before the main game, while someone like Tanak is in the 3rd Hyundai. Just dreaming...

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Originally Posted by tomhlord

Would Hyundai use Abbring though? I'm a fan, but to me I'd like to see him in a 4th car/R5 for more rallies before the main game, while someone like Tanak is in the 3rd Hyundai. Just dreaming...

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Beyond M-Sport running customer cars I have a hard time seeing any manufacturer running four cars on rounds next year. For me it's got to the point with Abbring now where he really needs to be getting an expanded programme. Sporadic outings really haven't worked for him. He does seem to be an unlucky driver in general. Okay some of it is self-induced but where he's going to struggle is against someone like Breen. Look at what he's done with his three rallies with limited testing this year compared to Kevin. Although Abbring did show some nice flashes of speed in Sardinia.

If Neuville does move on I'd like to see Kevin and Seb get the third seat. Next year Paddon and Sordo will be testing the current car and the R5 will be in the hands of customers. So I'm not sure there's as much need to have a fourth driver on the books?

interesting to watch where placed the r5s speed.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpfH96MUEAACCzA.jpg

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Originally Posted by dimviii

interesting to watch where placed the r5s speed.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpfH96MUEAACCzA.jpg

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Credit to forumer KiwiWRCFan who made this. Don't understand why people just rip stuff off all the time without crediting.

Very interesting though. Puts into context what impressive machines those R5s are.

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Originally Posted by Simmi

Credit to forumer KiwiWRCFan who made this. Don't understand why people just rip stuff off all the time without crediting.
.

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sorry didnt know who created it.

R5 cars are very impressive. Lappi lost under 1 sec/km to Meeke in Rally Finland. R5 is definetely good and proper class under wrc. And more cars are coming like i20 r5. Looks good :)

at some wrc rounds also s2000 cars were under 1 sec/km vs wrc cars.

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Originally Posted by dimviii

at some wrc rounds also s2000 cars were under 1 sec/km vs wrc cars.

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Aside of engine and some details S2000 and WRC shared exactly same technical rules so it's not that surprising :)