Nice to see Mikko in Citroen racing.
it ll be very interesting to measure his speed against Loeb.
Printable View
Nice to see Mikko in Citroen racing.
it ll be very interesting to measure his speed against Loeb.
Pykälistö was factory test driver 2006, Citroen C4. 2004 two events but team was Kronos. 2005 one event with OMV.
Wilson on Mikko move
Mikko Hirvonen switches to Citroen for 2012-2013 - World Rally Sport Forums
Wow! I must admit I didn't see this coming by a mile, either I haven't been following rally enough or no one is excited from WRC anymore, I would expect to see a bigger reaction from this.
I have to admit it's a strange decision by Mikko and strange decision by Citroen. How can Mikko be sure he'll be allow to win and not be the Rubens to Schumacher. And Citroen clearly knows Ogier is faster than Mikko.
In a way, I'm glad this move will release Latvala, next year would be his best chance yet. It's shameful how many times he had to slow down for Mikko not just this years, but the past years. I'm think Mikko chance of ever being champion is effectively over.
Would be interesting to see Ogier ended up at VW and have a big 4 ways fight between the manufacturers. But if Petter gets a drive with a manu team would make my day.
Ogier has some ego problems. He destroyed his career.
You really think so (that he destroyed his career)? I think so too to an extent... he pushed a bit too much... over took his limits with the team which gave him a nice big black cloud over his head.... but I couldn't expect him (being French maybe, wanting to push harder for the wins... to be in the spot light... this is not an attack on anyone but maybe the french have a different mentality then anyone else to be better then others, I don't know) but if Sordo pushed and didn't' listen to team orders and did the same.. he too would have been out... Sordo just stuck in his shell to keep the team happy... then, Bam he was out just like that! He supported the team but then they found someone better. Here Ogier supported the team, pushed over the edge a little, a bit cocky and now he's left...
Sorry. I am not against Ogier or the French of Citroen but it's how I see it. :)
Mikko will be 2nd driver in team. Maybe some wins but LOEB is number one and the champ!Quote:
Originally Posted by tmx
Latvala was crashing all the time past years, Mikko was better because he was finishing rallies.
Latvala is maturing more and more as a driver, he will get better. In a way, it would be good if tanak ended up at ford instead of ogier, as there will be no clear number one if ogier joins ford.Quote:
Originally Posted by T.Maanteiden kuningas
If you look at some GB pictures the you can see that Tänak was actually working on his own car as a mechanic at some point of the rally to sort out some problems after his overheating problem. So, Malcolm can hire one mechanic less as well ;-PQuote:
Originally Posted by MJW
So one of the worst kept secrets in WRC is finally out in the air. It'll take a while for it to look right seeing Mikko in a Citroen. Now what about everyone else? I think Ford will commit for a few more years at least. Obviously Jari Matti as number 1 driver. Where will Ogier go? him and Jari Matti if the partership work would be amazing but there is that risk there with Jari now finding speed and consitency and not crashing and Ogier being full of confidence and wanting to get one over on Loeb that there could well be fireworks. Would Petter be better suited in the 2nd Ford? He has the speed but hasnt had much luck this year and maybe a seat in with a manufacturer would change things and he could win events whilst not putting the team result at risk. Then you have VW lurking in the backround ready to swipe. You know their going to offer big bucks and are going to want to be competative from the start but involves a season of testing and developement rather than competing, would Petter or Ogier be happy with this? Who knows, should be an interesting season next year once all the moves are finalised.
Mikko is a mechanic too, so with Ott in it would keep things in balance :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
Mikko a mechanic? I hear kris meeke is aswel:-)
Meeke is a qualified engineer from Queen's University in Belfast.....Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
I think Ford might well be able to afford Ogier now... Afterall, he is unemployed, is he going to be so picky about who will take him or how big the cheque is? Whats his alternative?
And I agree with whoever said it before, Sordo didn't step out of Loebs shadow and did what the team told him, yet he still got dumped...
Ogier didn't, he seized the opportunity and made a name for himself. Sure he may not be a team player, but at least he has won rallies, been an actual world championship contender for some time and generally proved he can go toe to toe with the best driver in the world.
Yes, 2-3 drivers in WRC is quite bad result from country of 5 million. I'm sure we'd produce much more, but we are starting to run our of money since we have to pour the money into but*hole of europe called greece.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Hmm, I wonder if he'd be so kind as to fit new piston rings to my mates westfield? He'd have to drive up, but I'd give him petrol money :laugh: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Mikko is a motor mechanic. He used to work at Käyttöauto dealer in Jyväskylä up until Ford deal came for 2006. If I remember right he was serving Nissans. Someone who knows Mikko better can correct me if my memory fails me.Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
Here's a set up picture from 2006 at his old work place. The quote says: "At first I learned everything from my father".
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...rvonen2006.jpg
So Ogier left for worse car and thinks that can win the championship over Loeb in citroen. Something is wrong in his head.
I think some of you might be in for a surprise next year. I can't wait to see some reactions when perhaps we find out that Ford problems werent only about the car.
By the way. After the season 2011 Finnish drivers have only won 33,5 % of all the WRC events since 1973. Not a bad result after all...Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodeye
?? do you care to explain further?Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44
Finland is rally´s home. Everyone knows that.
I think he's suggesting the car isn't the only problem, but also the drivers. Maybe Ogier will come in and win rallies with Ford and show that the car is at least equal to Citroen, and that simply Mikko and JML haven't been providing the results the car is capable of. Not sure that I agree as I beleive JML is a brilliantly quick driver, but it's a possibility. It will at least give us a real chance to compare how fast the two cars are as we can compare Mikko and Ogier's old pace with their pace in the new cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Just out of curiosity,how many wins have all the Fin drivers? Are they more than Loebs?Quote:
Originally Posted by rp
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
I think it's possible we see Ogier on the pace with Ford and perhaps wasn't the car that was slow, but the drivers who couldn't match Loeb's pace.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
I tend to agree to a certain extent, Jari Matti was getting good speed out of the Fiesta in the last half of the season, even on tarmac. I think the driver line up at Ford had become stale and I believe Mikko was beaten in the head by Loeb. But, officially Ogier hasn't signed with Ford, or is it just not announced........Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44
With fiesta he'll have to be on 110% and that means offs.
Or Ogier can't match Latvala's pace at all...just speculation. But most probably their speed are going to be guite equal if Ford continues and Ogier comes to Ford.Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44
In Citroen it's clear who is the No. 1 driver but still it's very interesting to see Hirvonen's pace compered to Loeb when they both have the same machinery. Does the cap decrease, increase, is equal...?
nothing wrong with the fiesta , the mini drivers were very impressed !!
Finns have 164 wins.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
If Ford continues and they sign Ogier and have Latvala that will be an awesome deal!!
Loeb and Hirvonen will be tough to beat for the make championship but!
if my maths is correct Loeb has won 7.3 of all world rallies since 1973? Anyone want to check? If he were a country where would this place him?Quote:
Originally Posted by rp
Third after Finland and France.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nornbugger
And if he were a car, he will be fourth after Ford, Lancia and Citroen :) ))Quote:
Originally Posted by Nornbugger
Interesting, when Seb beat Ford for victory score?
It just shows, Ogier's over the top, cocky, loud mouth attitude he carried meant that he was eventually pushed out of the team. Serves him right too.
I dont know, I liked Ogiers attitude of "Loeb is the most successful of all time, but I'll take him on"Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCfan
Ogier is as hungry as JML for wins and the championship. How to do that? Knock Loeb off the top.
How many years will Ogier do at Ford? It would have to be about 2 right?
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Ogier's not at Ford yet.
Good point. Worst case scenario could be a year out of the sport!Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt