http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home...portugal-wrc-6
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I agree with Neuville/Ogier/Meeke but unless they get struck with issues I'd expect Tanak, Evans and Sordo all to be quite a bit faster than Latvala.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Really? Latvala is definitely better than Sordo and Evans, and on par with Tanak when he's crazy. The only reason he'd fall behind is his Yaris acting up or just not being up to the competition.
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http://www.ts.fi/urheilu/moottoriurh...la+PortugaliinQuote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Here in Finnish
which translates about to:Quote:
Opin Argentiinassa, että ensimmäinen päivä on hyvin tärkeä. Silloin on yritettävä, ja oltava kärkiviisikossa, jotta saa hyvät lähtöasemat seuraavaan päivään. Se on tavoite Portugalissa, ja jos keli on kehno avauspäivänä, lähtöpaikkani kakkosena voi itse asiassa auttaakin minua, kun tie menee takana huonompaan kuntoon
Not sure if that interview is some days old, but right now it seems that the weather is dry for the whole weekend, so Ogier and Latvala have probably some sweeping to do on the first day.Quote:
I learned in Argentina that the first day is very important. You have to try then and to be in the top five to get a good starting position for the following day. That's the target in Portugal, and if the weather is bad on the opening day, my starting position as the second car may actually be an advance, as the road gets in worse condition behind me.
Well Latvala is also pretty inconsistent. No doubt he is a top notch driver but then he is very dependent on his confidence. The win in Sweden was impressive given that the Yaris does not seem very competitive but then it has always been a strong rally for him. I think Tanak is finding his feet, making less mistakes and not taking unreasonable risks. If the Fiesta doesn't act up I always have him high on my podium contender list. Evans is a bit of an unknown quantity but his drive in Argentina was very impressive and before his speed wasn't bad either, on top of that the DMack tyre should also work well on the next run of events. Sordo is also up there most of the time. He may not be the very fastest but usually you can expect him in the top 5 just because he hardly puts a foot wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Anyway those four are always a tough call, but I do see Latvala on the back foot because he still seems pretty insecure and it does look like the Toyota is not as fast as the Hyundai and the Ford.
His inconsistency is a valid point, but based only on this year's results he's been very smart: pushing when he needs to, conserving the car and scoring points when he can't win. He's shown really important maturity and, thanks to his new team, he seems constantly confident.Quote:
Originally Posted by Watson
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Seems like Latvala learned this year that the points are given at the end of the rally, and it's better to get little points than to crash and get none.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
without any problems with the car, i expect Tänak to win this.
Only if others have car trouble - Ogier knows how to win in Portugal - he beat Loeb there twice! Also it would be foolish to discount last year's winner who has an ideal road position!Quote:
Originally Posted by bugwrx
If Hänninen manage to stay on the road, I expect him to win in Portugal.