Paddon is a possible driver for Hyundai.
Hanninen and Meeke would be a preferable combination from a marketing perspective. Meeke - British/ Irish and Hanninen - Finland-Northern European.
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Paddon is a possible driver for Hyundai.
Hanninen and Meeke would be a preferable combination from a marketing perspective. Meeke - British/ Irish and Hanninen - Finland-Northern European.
From a marketing perspective Paddon with either Meeke or Hanninen would be preferable for maximum trans-continental exposure. Remember Hyundai are selling in Europe but also have a major market in the Pacific / SE Asia. So an Antipodean would be a sensible fit for Oz / NZ publicity even doing the odd Asia / Pacific round!Quote:
Originally Posted by Humber
I'm with Mr. A.F.F. here I have the feeling it won't happen.
My comment was not directed to you because I was sure you knew that already. If I had that intention I’ve quoted your post :) . It was intended for information purposes only, if someone has missed the news.Quote:
Originally Posted by Motorsportfun
Beeing on this forum for over five years I think I have some kind of a view who is who on this forum :) .
South Korea is really a booming economy and the whole Hyundai group is a really healthy company in terms of earnings. I am pretty sure the project will happen, but I guess they would prefer to have at least one WRC round in Asia for marketing reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
I know that Ford and Citroën wanted most on the WRC events in Europe and Latin America, but now that Ford has left and Citroën will leave for the WTCC, then the WRC rounds would likely be decided on the wishes of VW and Hyundai as they will be the only full time factory teams.
Citroen have only said that they will consider entering the WTCC. And even if they, I have seen nothing to indicate that their WRC programme will end.
I know from private sources in the WTCC that Citroën is confirmed for 2014 - and there is no way they will continue in both WRC and WTCC at the same same. The PSA Group is in big financial troubles and they cannot justify running in both series, especially while they are figthing with the French government over laying off thousands of people at their factory in France. So you can fully count on no factory WRC team in the WRC in 2014.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys
So Citroën's strategy will be to persuade the Loeb brand as agreed, so they will do WTCC in 2014. Furthermore it's almost certain that Renault will enter WTCC in 2014, which would be a good fight between the two French companies. Three time WTCC champion Yvan Muller is expected to be announced as Renault's leading driver in the WTCC for 2014.
Regarding Citroën and WRC, then they might continue through PH-Sport, but not as a factory team backed with factory money - only sponsorship-deals. In a way the same deal as Peugeot did with Bozian Racing in 2006 running as an M2/MT team.
Regarding WRC, it's far more interesting to see what PSA will do with the Peogeot brand. It was quite a surprise that they left the new FIA WEC series before it even began .... that could indicate that PSA might only support the Citroën brand in the comming years.
Thought the speculation was that PSA would promote the Peugeot brand in the WRC in 2014 much like they have done in the early noughties. Can't see PSA relinquishing that wealth of experience in rallying especially when it took so long to build up and obviously proved to be very very successful.
Maybe only two manufacturers next season. :(
Peugoet will be in WRC with an R2 car and and R5, Now IF R5 suddenly became the top class replacing WRC then PSA group would have a suitable car.Quote:
Originally Posted by ToughMac