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Don't You think that if the drivers actually believed in Toyota success they would be willing to switch teams just like Ogier did with VW or Neuville did with Hyundai? They both went into unknown waters, especially Ogier who had to compete first year with S2000 car.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allez Andruet
Just reading the ToyotaGazoo "Our Story" made my eyes bleed at the FinJapanglish...
http://toyotagazooracing.com/our-story/
We've actually got Jarmo Lehtinen joining us on stage next Wednesday night at http://www.thecrw.co.uk/rally-forum-2016
Going to be interesting as he's in the segment directly after Malcolm Wilson, so two perspectives on team management.
Anyone seen any contract length for Hanninen? Have to assume it's a one-year deal.
What Tommi's team have in 2017 is a 'prove it' year. I'm not sure Hanninen is ultimately the guy to do that - but I can't fault Tommi signing him at all. They needed someone who was effectively out of contract and could test the car all year and gain familiarity. Meeke didn't want it, Hirvonen didn't want it. Solberg/Loeb - who knows? Not sure if they were even asked, but the point is there were so few drivers who fitted that spec.
Anyone else you sign can't 'officially' drive your car until after the season so Tommi was backed into a corner. Plus he now has a willing 'team guy' in his driver squad. Which can be beneficial over a diva top-three talent in some ways when you're getting started.
But this is a prove it year. So the biggest question for me is who drives the third car? Do they go the mercenary route and take a guy like Ostberg with a bit of money. All he will prove is your reliability. When really you need someone to showcase speed.
From TGR press release:Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
He has signed a one-year contract, with an option to extend beyond 2017.
Teemu / Rallirinki @HartusvuoriWRC
Local newspaper @ksmlfi turn to visit Mäkinen's @TGR_WRC garage. They are currently building three on six chassises to start 2017. #WRC2017
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvHdHrXWEAEoT34.jpg
They are building 3 cars to every driver, MC and SWE with 1st, MEX with 2nd, 3rd is spare one. Before MC they will have 6 cars ready.
They have 4 cars now, all test versions, competition model will be different, wider from door area etc.
Kalle Rovanperä has tested twice.
Total 12000km driven already, Hänninen 6000km, Tommi 3000km
Work with Japanese and you can understand it. My boss is Japanese ;) The most important thing is relationship another thing is good connections between Japan and their facilities in Europe. The shortest and the most comfortable flight you can take from Japan is to Helsinki. Basically you go to sleep (in the evening) in business class and you wake up in the morning;) add several more hours to mid Germany, and double it with return flight.. and now multiply it with staff number;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Grundo Farb
This is very-very clear to me. At least 10 Japanese researchers visit our small institute every year and only one of them has bothered to proceed to centra Europe.
Good info. A lot of cars and kilometres. But am I correct - still 0km of dedicated tarmac testing?Quote:
Originally Posted by pantealex
I hope You are wrong. I can't imagine that to be true with just few weeks remaining before homologation process starts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi