Haha. It’s not mine, found it on Twitter. Seb looks actually quite good in Toyota outfit.
Ott not so much in Hyundai one.
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Haha. It’s not mine, found it on Twitter. Seb looks actually quite good in Toyota outfit.
Ott not so much in Hyundai one.
Ogier has himself convinced the Toyota is light years aheadQuote:
Originally Posted by Allez Andruet
It's going to be tough for him next season whatever and I'm starting to think Ogier will stay at Citroen.
If he jumps to Toyota and fails in their 'Championship-winning car' he will look bad.
And if he doesnt win in the Citroen he can still look a loyal Frenchman but blame the inconsistant C3.
Now Evans reporting Kalle R. will be in the third Yaris as a fact.... Not sure how much to read into it, but he sneaked that in the article linked below.
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...er-tanak-moves
I’m not trying to argue your point, but for clarity Evans has seemed pretty adamant that Rovanpera has signed for Toyota since the news broke in Autosport that Tanak has signed. He said something like ‘Rovanpera is the only Toyota driver with a contract for next year’.Quote:
Originally Posted by racerx1979
Anyway, my point being, if he is correct on that too, he will have certainly cemented himself as the man with the knowledge in a big way.
Fair play to him, everyone else seems to be whispering it tentatively.
Or he's the thief of Tommi's phone :DQuote:
Originally Posted by T16
Some teach Tommi how to use a passcode to unlock phone or get him a phone with a finger sensor.. what a joke!
Yet still Tänak wanted to get out. I'm thinking more of the atmosphere aspect of it. The car is fast, that we know. But would Ogier be willing to sacrifice it all just to have a faster car in his last ever WRC season?Quote:
Originally Posted by wrc2017
I think you're making a pretty big assumption that Citroen will be entered into the WRC in 2020.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I don't believe they will.
There are certainly massive macro politics threatening the involvement. Linda Jackson, the Citroen CEO who greenlighted the WRC project is rumoured to be getting the boot. Then we have today's news of a potential merger between FCA and PSA.Quote:
Originally Posted by Got Mail
However, they have two drivers under contract for 2020 and a new aero package, I believe they'll be there next season but not in 2021.
I also believe Citroen will stay for 2020. But beyond that, it's a question mark.
https://www.is.fi/ralli/art-2000006291271.html?ref=rss
Jouhki says it´s 50-50 that Ogier is joining TGR.
She's already gone. Last week I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
They may only stay if Ogier staysQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
So let's speculate that Ogier indeed moves to Toyota. I'm 100% sure they'll pull the plug then. Wtf are they going to do? Drive with Lappi and Östberg/Camilli/whoever? For what and for whom? To see how many last places they'll get?
If Ogier goes then could Citroen go for Thierry? I hardly think so, Thierry must be happy at Hyundai (him and Nico and Ott and Martin are good friends, no wonder why he welcomes Ott's move) and when'd even think of going to Citroen, his wife would surely take out her phone, open Twitter, start typing something and Thierry will freak out and end the negotiations because he doesn't want a Shitroen moment. Although, it was pretty entertaining.
Losing a manufacturer would be awful, of course. And yesterday's news that M-Sport's involvement in WRC will probably go down to the wire yet again makes my nerves tingle. Would be nice if the Promoter or FIA signs a contract with a manufacturer for X number of years. Then we wouldn't have to think every year who'll leave etc.
Although, I guess if someone wants to leave, they'll do it. Like with Volkswagen. They would've left anyway even if they'd have to pay a fine for breaking the contract. So in another words - my idea is useless :D
Let's see if FCA pulls out PSA from WRC or maybe the other way around. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
The only reason Ogier could have to look for another drive is if Citroen leave WRC.
Not the other way around.
"Moved to another role within PSA"Quote:
Originally Posted by T16
Yes - she's gone.
If done (they’ll be negotiating for several weeks) the merger won’t affect Citroen 2020 WRC plans. According to the reports, PSA will have 6 board members and FCA 5; Elkann (Agnelli grandson) is set to be Chairman and Tavares (PSA boss) the CEO.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
Btw, despite an earlier resistance, Tavares is now firmly pushing for his brands electrification; hopefully, the 2022 WRC hybrids may fit on his stratergy.
Good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
I would say though, that their strategy for 'supermini' cars that are the same size as current WRC cars with the new 208 and Corsa is to offer Petrol, Diesel or full-EV and no hybrid in this segment. Which means the WRC Hybrid rules aren't necessarily relatable to the road-going brethren.
True, but they won’t take long to use mild hybrid systems on their whole range: https://www.enginetechnologyinternat...ure-terms.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
I was taking this for granted. I mean, everything is possibile but most likely they will stay the coming year for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
https://www.is.fi/ralli/art-2000006291554.html
Jouhki blasting Märtin and Tänak and the game they've played in negotiations, saying it's "unbelievable" what they've done. "It's been very unprofessional, and I've been around for 35 years. I would never do such things myself. These kind of actions will be remembered." There's speculation (not directly by Jouhki though) that Märtin and Tänak have tried to "steal" Toyota's R5 project or atleast parts of it (whatever that means) for MM Motorsport.
I must say, that Jouhki has been extremely vocal about all of this. Of course, the Finnish media turns to him at every moment but I don't remember him being so vocal about anything. Obviously it's understandable. He has his interests with Toyota and Mäkinen must a good friend.
And while I think it's kind of weird for Jouhki to be so vocal, I do believe that he knows excactly what kind of shitagians have been going on and it's obvious he'd like to spank Ott and Markko for being naughty. If it'd be a normal contract negotiations, he'd say a thing here or there not be in the spotlight for weeks.
same thoughts.. haven't noticed it before, but now during the whole Tänak's contract thing he always has something to say :D Yes, he has brought many youngster to WRC and got them seats.. But his last WRC champion was 17y ago, Tommi Mäkinen.Quote:
Originally Posted by sinepikohv
Great list of drivers, who's manager Jouhki is/has been:
- Kankkunen
- Mäkinen
- Hirvonen
- Latvala
- Suninen
- Rovanperä
etc
Ofcourse he has to get to Tommi's side
Not Lappi’sQuote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
man i dont even have words anymore how silly this is :D
Yes ofcourse, my bad.. I was reading an article about him, and somehow wrote him also.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
thanks!
It's obvious that he's not pleased - I'd even say he is pissed about it - how Tänak and Märtin have handled things. To me, the sad part is, that unless somebody from Toyota or Jouhki speaks, we will never know what really happened. Because Ott nor Markko aren't going to speak about it for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
Jouhki won't probably tell either because it wouldn't be good for his image. Maybe Wuorela? I hear he's working for Jouhki. Maybe he'll write something in his magazine? He did tweet on Monday and that created a buzz.
and boom, the tweet is gone :D
This really is nuts!
Last year Jouhki heavily criticized Veiby both for Lappi and for Tidemand. So it just seems to be his style lately.Quote:
Originally Posted by sinepikohv
------------------
@Neuville in Jyvaskyla
That would confirmt two things:
a) Tanak is leaving for sure
b) Tommi/Toyota is desperate
I am not sure it's very likely he moves even if he gets a very good offer.
In hindsight, I presume that the delay in Ott being confirmed for Rally Estonia this year may have been part of these shenanigans?
That exchange would be awesome :D Neuville leaves to still be a nr 1 and.. I think that team change would make a good difference for him. He has been in Hyundai for so long and sadly achieved nothing..
Neuville also complained all the time, how they could not compete with Toyotas. This way he would be able to show, how the Yaris drives itself to victory.
Doesn't Neuville already have a contract with Hyundai for the next season?
He does but aren't contracts like rules? They're meant to be broken...Quote:
Originally Posted by ggg377
i do really wonder if that Neuville tweet was made with purpose to spice things up.
and the longer Hyundai waits with its announcement the crazier the stories go.
Ofcourse that tweet from Thierry puts silly season to a whole new level, but maybe it could just be that Hyundai are testing upgrades in Finland for next season (like Citroen did), and maybe also using this opportunity to let Ott drive the car on roads it has historically struggled on vs the Yaris?