I thought they won’t run a factory teamQuote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
Printable View
I thought they won’t run a factory teamQuote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
It`s like replace VS cognac to VS "Special Edition" cognacQuote:
Originally Posted by racerx1979
There are still VSOP, XO etc...
I think Breen is a quite good driver. Bear in mind he's still never done a full season.
@Racerx1979, why would you want to keep Mads over Breen if you were running things at Citroen?
Breen at least still has potential and his whole career ahead of him. Mads is already a known quantity and will never do anything except show podium pace on a few events per season. Then a bunch of 5/6/7th place finishes.
Breen is still developing at least.
It all depends on who you can get. If you can get Lappi and Sordo I would keep Breen. If you can get Lappi, Sordo and Ogier well then Breen can drive an R5 car unless he gets signed elsewhere. Lappi is a lot better in my opinion and based on purely on results.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
If Mads does better than Breen for the rest of the season do you keep Mads or Breen if you had a choice?
Several teams already have orders for the VW. Even a gentlemen driver which I am good friends with is selling his Skoda and has placed an order for an R5.Quote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
I don't think they would need an extra tarmac driver. Sure its not his preferred surface, but he isn't that bad on tarmac (most often 5th or 6th which is useful points) and I think its mostly just lack of experience holding him back there which will keep improving with more time in the car. People on here talk like he's not even winning points, but I guess they used to say Latvala and Tanak couldn't drive on tarmac either.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Nice discussions, it's always fun for me to speculate on driver movements and also learned some things i didn't know before. i'm adjusting my prediction (since i started the thread i can make the rules for this prediction stuff - anything goes! :D):
Hyundai: Neuville, Mikkelsen, Paddon/Sordo
Toyota: Tanak, Lappi, Latvala
Ford: Suninen, Evans
Citroen: Ogier, Breen, Ostberg
I think Ogier has seen enough of MSport/Ford and might be lured to Citroen, especially as the car is getting better. Otherwise Citroen can be happy with Breen and Ostberg, with this line up they could fight for both titles.
Neuville is leading the championship with Hyundai and he has no reason to change so I expect an announcement soon, Mikkelsen has a contract already, Paddon apparently has strong ties to Hyundai so I guess he'll stay put while Sordo has already said he is happy with a partial programme and Hyundai can use him to showcase the R5 and he generally seems happy so I also think he stays.
Toyota will most likely stay the same, the finns are making a bit of noise but i suspect it's mostly to get a better offer. Latvala might have to accept he is not the fastest driver in the team but i'm sure he is appreciated for what he did to develop the car so most likely he will get another contract. Lappi has a good environment to grow in so i don't think he'll leave just yet, I think he realises he has a lot to learn still.
Ford is the tough one if Ogier goes but somehow there are few alternatives, they might do another rebuilding year and put pay drivers in the 3rd car. They might get Meeke in for a rally or two but not more, I think the amount of crashes Meeke has had and his age and experience means he will not get a full season drive again, unless a manufacturer with big budget comes in and needs a fast driver to attract attention. Tidemand is the elephant in the room but with Skoda's rumored return he may not be available.
First thing. Sordo want to do a full season again. Paddon probably too so he will look other teams as well if he gets the chance. Ford without drivers, yeah right. And what can Suninen and Evans do. Just the same as Ostberg and Breen at Citroen right now. Maybe a podium or two and few 5th or 6th places and nothing more. Ogier I suppose isn't that stupid to risk going to Citroen. And with saying that this will be his last contract it make no sense at all to go. But contract can be 2 years or 3 so he could be in sport for a few years...
I know that Paddon would prefer to stay loyal to Hyundai if he has the option (and he helps their image in the NZ market a lot, dominating NZRC rallies in the Hyundai NZ AP4 car too) but if they only offer a half season and another team offer a full season I suspect he would take it to avoid his career stagnating.
I've felt for a while now that Tommi is fed up with Latvala's mental capabilities and I just read the latest Motorsport Monday issue, where he said following:
Full articleQuote:
"Asked for his thoughts on a line-up for 2019, Mäkinen said:
The Japanese are here, we will talk for the future. We make the decision together, they have their opinion. Personally, I would like to do something on the driver market, but let's see. The Japanese would like very much for Jari-Matti to continue - he has a good image in Japan. On a good day, Jari-Matti can win, but he needs to concentrate to his own work and forget others. That's the way for him to continue. I know Esapekka is still a young driver and for sure he will improve. He has some experience, but I don't know what we should do to wake him up on Friday. OK, here there was some trouble at the start of the rally, but there's no question about his speed."
That only seems like a confirmation to me, that he'd kick Latvala out, if he could, but the Japanese won't let him.
If Japanese are really that keen to keep Latvala, no matter his results, it raises a question how interested they are in the titles? On some thread, someone told me that after their unsuccessful en-devours in f1 and struggle in WEC(?), they'd do anything to come out on top, including hiring Ogier to the team but that would be in direct conflict with keeping Latvala and his representative image.
In another note, I think what Tommi "would like to do in the driver market" is exactly kicking out Latvala and bringing in Ogier. Mostly because I haven't heard nor seen him discuss with any other driver and because looking at the results, there have not been any outstanding performances from others (for more than 1 event).
I'm not a fan of half seasons, unless they are given to rookies.Quote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
If I were Hyundai I would take a definitive decision between:
1) Giving Paddon another chance with a full season
2) Giving full season to Sordo to get solid points
3) Giving a full season car to a young gun or two half season to two young guns.
What are the chances of 'Tommi gets what Tommi wants'? i.e Ogier to Toyota - new toyota car coming that ogier realises could be tough to win against with fiesta.
Latvala with a few contacts at VW Group - goes to Skoda gets R5 WRC2 drive on selected rounds and does the testing/ development of skoda wrc. Becomes the old hand when skoda wrc team starts competition. One of the reasons Latvala could stay at Toyota is to prevent other teams getting the yaris set up etc know how. i.e Latvala kept at toyota to develop toyota r5 and makinen brings in lowest cost fastest young finn with the strongest sisu he can find.
Joukhi pays for the empty seat at M-Sport for the next annointed flying finn back on d-mack's.
I reckon we could get a surprise at Toyota. I know Meeke has spoken to Tommi a few times since he was "sacked", but then again he's also spoken to Hyundai about possibilities for next year. And with him being a driver without a drive that's understandable that he'd have talks with teams.
I think by the sounds of that article Tommi will want to replace Jari. But if he can't it sounds like he wouldn't be against losing Esapekka either, if he can bring in the driver he wants.
So who is that driver? I can't see it being Meeke because why would you let go of Esapekka for Meeke when one has their whole career ahead of him. So it must be Ogier that Tommi wants, but maybe the Japanese aren't keen on Seb and his apparent arrogance (although what WC doesn't come with that?).
Ogier going to Toyota wouldn't unsettle Ott either. I think he feels after last season he can beat Seb in the same machinery, and Seb would also be a year behind Tanak in knowing the Yaris and being comfortable in it.
Would make sense for Toyota to have a stunning line-up of Ogier, Tanak and Lappi (or Jari). But it'd be bad for the championship. Two of the best 3 drivers in the same team, with the best younger driver as well. As I see Lappi having more chance of becoming a world champion than Mikkelsen, Evans, Paddon, Breen and Suninen etc. It'd be a hell of team that would leave Citroen and Ford fucked in terms of a championship battle
Or maybe it’s the other way around: Tommi isn’t keen on Ogier but Mr. Toyoda wants him in the team. Sometimes we tend to forget that manus main aim is to become WMC and they need to get a stronger driver line up than competition in order to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
In 2014 VW didn’t care about Latvala personal chances to become WDC; they took him to guarantee no other manu would have a chance against them. Most likely, that’s the reason why Toyota may sign Ogier.
You're really from another planet aren't you?Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
If you think Lappi doesn't have more potential than the drivers I've mentioned I think you're the one with their head in the clouds.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Tänak & Mikkelsen under contract for 2019 but the others ?
#sillyseason ► http://bit.ly/2NtXZcR
What are the rumors that say Latvala and Suninen would swap seats?Quote:
Originally Posted by jbmarcus21
french newspaper speak about it .... but still rumour as always ... we will seeQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Potential is a nice word. Fabia WRC had so much of it people were told :)Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
So far Lappi has shown speed, he has not shown speed combined with consistency, he might in the future, but its far from certain.
Also Tänak looked worse than just about all the drivers you mentioned until 2016.
No he didn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
It's his second WRC season, first full one. How many drivers were fourth overall in their first full season?Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
I have said it a number of times, he just needs to gain experience to get rid of the little mistakes and find his pace earlier in the rallies. So far he has shown he is fast on every surface and can win power stages, what it takes to be a champion.
This season is not over yet. Recently Mikkelsen was 3rd in his first full season (yes VW was dominating, but isn't Toyota the fastest car ATM ?)Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Also Meeke is fast on every surface and can win power stages.
Sorry for the trolling but there are quite a lot of drivers who seemingly have it all, but somehow don't win championships. Likewise there are a few that don't look impressive and then things fall into place (like Tänak). Just a bit early to crown Lappi champion. Remember people did that with Paddon after argentina 2016 as well as Meeke before 2017 season.
I’m not crowning anyone a champion. I would just sign Lappi over Meeke who rarely made it to power stages or Paddon who can’t drive on tarmac or win power stages.
Except that Mikkelsen had 26 starts with WRC car before his first full season. Lappi had 8.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
And VW's dominance was on a completely different level than Toyota this year. VW won all rallies except Deutschland, which went for Hyundai. Even 2nd places were almost all VW's, with Ford getting three runner-up positions, Hyundai and Citroen one each.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allez Andruet
Yes he did. Tanak was almost "written off" but somehow he managed to put good performance in Sweden, after which Malcolm decided to put his faith on him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oliverk
Well Paddon has only actually done 1 full season which was 2016 in which he came 4th. 2014 was only partial season and 2015 he did not do Monte Carlo. I just think 2017 was such a bad year because of the accident in Monte and he also had personal issues as well as a lot of bad luck. I think he will prove in the next few rallies that he does deserve another shot at a full season in 2019.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grutz
By the way has anyone stopped to think why Hyundai made the decision quite early in the year to develop and homologate new transmission components for Hayden's use in the later half of this season. I for one don't think that they have done it as a one off just for the remainder of this season.
Sure, I would aswell and agree with that. Just don't like when people crown drivers next champions after 1-2 won rallies.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Btw. this made me recall how Colin Clark claimed after GB last year that Evans will fight for the title this year (2018) no matter what team he drives for.
And I put in my crystal ball predictions that Evans won't win anything this year ;) Well, let's see how he does in GB.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
latest
Neuville will go to Citroen.
Ogier go DTM.
Lappi to Hyundai
lots of drugs here lately :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Not quite. I think there should be a round on Mars after 5 years.
If Mars put up more $$ than Monte then opening round of the championship would be held there no questions asked. Doesn't matter whether the event is feasible, worthy, or wanted.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
I don't think they have any colored papers, but digging some gold might be feasible. Despite it'd have some advantages for spectators - no little green man to disturb you, pictures without flowers and lakes, but just a rally car and a vast horizon.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCfan
Since it is silly season Elon Musk announcement of Tesla entry into WRC is scheduled for March 28th 2019 when Starman crosses Mars orbit in Tesla Roadster
2 links to monitor for updates
https://where-is-tesla-roadster.space/live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCKRGfqeaBg
The WRC+ Turkey preview has a short silly season section. Of course no announcements, but if you want to read into something
- Latvala says he knows Suninen will drive for Ford (but Suninen doesn't say which team he drives for)
- Latvala says again there will be changes, like he knows it
- Lappi says he wants to stay at Toyota...if he can choose
- Ogier says he will remain in WRC
Ogier said his next contract will be his last. But does he mean 'contract', which could mean one, two or even three years; or does he mean 'season'?