I believe next year M Sport will all run Michelin. The D Mack car will be a separate entry (like Ostberg was this year).
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I believe next year M Sport will all run Michelin. The D Mack car will be a separate entry (like Ostberg was this year).
[QUOTE=AnttiL;1161746]https://twitter.com/HartusvuoriWRC/s...04304321142791
Who's gonna be the next maiden winner? Whoever it is, I'm pretty sure it doesn't happen in 2018.[/QUOTE
And what iff tidemand or sunninen get a proper m-sport program, think they both could suprise on some events. Breen can probably score some podiums if the car gets more consistent.
Well those are the next three winners if they keep progressing and having drives, but I don't think any of them are ready for that in 2018.Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
The key point is Ogier and Tanak both knew Evans had a significant advantage before the rally started being on the DMack tyres. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd tried the DMack tyres on the pre event test, and even if they hadn't the data doesn't lie. They could probably both see the significant level of grip advantage Evans had, the speed held through the corners. You don't magically find grip where the whole WRC field are struggling in the exact same cars (other than tyres).Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
I like Evans but if you don't think there is anyone who can put hand on heart and say the tyres didn't play a part in this win.
At the end of the day it's great to have another winner, but don't kid yourselves. Let's not get carried away.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
We had exactly the same situation when Tanak ran the DMACK's (and he didnt win with them).
He hasnt done too badly since going to the Michelins...
Don't forget about VW, they also had an advantage with a better car than the rest. If the cars were more equal like this year, he probably would have won in 2016.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
He also had a lot of punctures in 2016 slowing him down, but the speed was there. It's interesting that Tänak almost won Poland in 2016, but this year Evans was totally out of pace there.Quote:
Originally Posted by mmm
True, but Evans nearly won in Argentina and Tanak was nowhere. Both were pretty quick in Finland on Dmack, but Tanak crashed.
Tänak was 3rd in Argentina...wouldn`t call it nowhere.
When he was on Dmack 2016...not this year. We are comparing what they did on Dmack No?
Well, that was at least 1, probably 2-3 generations old DMack. Wasn`t it even designed under and for a R5 car? New DMack gravel tyre for Tänak came in Portugal 2016 i believe. New year, new car, different weather, different tyres... not much point to compare imho.
And Michelin haven't improved also?
What I am saying is that both guys pretty much had a good crack at a few events on Dmack, Tanak and Evans.
I'm not a supporter of either, couldn't care less who wins really, just want to see good competition but this whole he would have done this, would have done that nonsense is irrelevant. The facts are both guys were up the front when the tyres allowed. Whether that was because they had an advantage, or merely that they didn't have a disadvantage is open to question because nobody else was on them for comparison. Tanak has subsequently gone on to prove he is rally winning material on an equal footing, now Evans must do the same.
Can`t argue with that also.
There has been a real change in Evans in the last 18 months.
Winning rallies in the BRC in 2016 (and the Title) was a real booster. Plus a maturity with age has made a huge difference. He is very calm and also relaxed now.
He said he has learned from team-mate Ogier who he has modelled himself on. Tanak also helped as he went through the same DMACK route.
I think Evans is going to be a real WRC contender in the future.
If Ogier retires, there will be no car number 1 next year? M-Sport would get 2, 3 and 14? Or would the allocations be 2-4, 5-7, etc? What if he initially "retires", M-Sport is allocated the first three numbers, then Ogier makes a comeback with, say, Citroen at the middle of the season? Will he get number 1 and will Citroen get 2 and 3 as well?
A no question! Ogier will continue
when will it be announced?
FORD COMEBACK??? Semi - Comeback?!??Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
But it's an interesting question, whether you consider it theoretical or not. When Loeb retired in 2012, he still did a partial program in 2013 starting from Monte so it was natural to give 1-2-3 numbers to Citroen and then they used a higher-numbered driver when Loeb wasn't driving. If Ogier is not at any team at the beginning of the season, M-Sport would get the lowest numbers for the season for being the manufacturer champion. But if Ogier returns later with another team, would he still get number 1? Or would he get 1 but M-Sport would still be 2 and 3, or would Ogier's team be 1-2-3?
The team with world Champion has 1-2-3 on the cars. Like this year. If Ogier stay with M-Sport, it will M-sport 1 2 3 hyunday 4 5 6 Toyota 7 8 9 and Citroën 10 11 12.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
If ogier goes to other team for example Citroën. The French team gets the 123 and M-sport 456 and so on.
If Ogier leaves I don't for sure but I was thinking the vice champion could be no 1. Or Tänak or Neuville. And their teammates has 2 and 3.
Yes, those cases are 100% clear. But if Ogier retires, it gets to a situation we have never seen before. And even more so, if he comes back in the middle of a season to a team that he wasn't affiliated with in the beginning of the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy
There might be something I don't get, but how would that situation differ from the one we had in 2013, when Loeb (as a reigning champ) did only few selected rounds? Loeb had '1' on those rallies he participated in, and for the rest of the rounds Citroens were usually numbered 2, 3 and 10.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Danis Sordo interview by Nacho Villarin has just been published by Marca.com
Main points are * Dani confirms he will remain with Hyundai in 2018 and is not looking to move teams. * Dani accepts he will only do some rally's in 2018. * His goal is to win events in 2018 * If asked to by team he would be OK to do some Rallycross events.
Full interview at http://www.marca.com/motor/rallies/2...21c8b4647.html
The difference is that Loeb was still a Citroen driver from the beginning of the season, making Citroen the 1-2-3 team. Of course, if Ogier retires then M-Sport is the 1-2-3 with no number 1. But would they be then 2, 3 and 14? or 2-3-4 with the next team having 5-6-7? And what if Ogier then comes back later in the season to another team?Quote:
Originally Posted by Allez Andruet
Google translated:Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
Quote:
Q. Have not your bosses told you anything?
R. "That next year I'll do fewer races, that's what they told me, they're going to line up three cars, so if there are four drivers and only three seats, we'll have to split up."
Q. Has your status in the team declined since Mikkelsen arrived?
R. "No. I have my work and they know what they need from me I do it Now there are Neuville and Mikkelsen, who have done a very good race in Wales, and it is not that they have more power, but the fact is that They have been chosen to do the whole championship next year, I hope they do well. "
Q. What is, exactly, your contractual situation for 2018?
R. "I have a contract with Hyundai."
Q. Is there no clause by which I can demand a complete program?
R. "Let's see, the agreement that I have is to make the whole World Cup, in the contract it says that I have to run all the races of the championship."
P. But it will not be like this ...
R. "No, and I'm not going to protest or fight with them, right now, it's not my priority to do the whole World Cup, what I want, above all, is to win rallies."
Q. The rumor circulates that he could also compete with Hyundai in rallycross next year. That's right?
R. "Oh, yes, I have no idea how that theme is, if they call me and they pay me, I'll go ..."
P. "Nice photo for the memory", wrote the other day on his Instagram with an image of him on the podium in Wales. Was it a premonition?
R. "Of course, it's probably the Rally of Wales I'm not going to do again in my life ... That's why the photo is going to be for the memory."
Q. In what rallies will it go then?
R. "I do not know which ones I'll do yet, or how many, seven or eight I've asked the team to see what they decide."
Q. Where do you see Ogier next year?
R. "Maybe he would like to go back to Citroën, but he told me that he is very happy with how they treat him at M-Sport, he feels very valued and he likes the way they work, I think if they find the money they need to Pay him a good salary, he will continue with them. "
Q. Does your future depend on the record that he moves?
R. "No. I'm going to run with Hyundai."
I don't think the numbers thing is too complicated. No one else will take the #1 if Ogier retires. M-Sport will just run 2/3/4.
If Ogier rocks up later in the season for another team he takes the vacant #1. To think all the numbers of full-season manufacturer cars would suddenly change if Ogier arrives is nonsense IMO. Those numbers are all set at the start of the year.
Sordo will only win if Neuville or Mikkelsen isn't right behind him, only MC, as the first round of the new season maybe as a exception. Otherwise there will be teamorders and he has to give up every place he's driving in that moment in favor for Neuville & Mikkelsen. Dani Sordo's rally-career is about to be over, 2018 and possible 2019 he will do the tarmac-rounds and maybe some gravel-events like Portugal, Mexico, Argentina or Italy and that's it. Offcorse he will not protest to his (new) position in the team because he's having a good salary now and possible also for 2019. It's just the money now that's keep's him quiet. He's has no real choice, there are no other options at Citroën or M-Sport, he's really lucky that he's driving in a period with 4 manufacturers otherwise he never could keep his full-seasons status the last three years. Dani Sordo is one of the fastest drivers on tarmac but on non-tarmac for sure not and will never be, he's with Latvala the most experience driver of the field but with some exceptions of a great stage-time he never was really close to winning a non-tarmac event. Good to have him at least in the tarmac-rounds, if Hayden Paddon will do good results in MC (if there's a 4-car) and Sweden i think Paddon will drive all the non-tarmac events and the better the results how more Hyundai is willing to send a fourth car for Paddon to Corsica, Germany and Spain. Paddon's career isn't over for now but his results must be close to that of Neuville and Mikkelsen next year otherwise it's game over i guess and he know's that for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
Last time Sordo was ahead of Neuville while both were driving was Spain and Germany 2016. No teamorders then, even though Neuville was fighting for 2nd place in championship (certainly in Spain).Quote:
Originally Posted by jacko
Since then he has never even been in this situation.
Sordo also says he was asked to run 7 or 8 events next year. On the WRX question he was totally surprised and the ‘if they call and pay I’ll run’ sounds like a joke. Overall he admitted to be a bit tired and disappointed, especially with Catalunya bad luck result. Surprisingly, he believes that at this stage of his career it may be more appealing to fight for the win on a handful of events than going for another full season. Best luck to him!Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
Jarno Saari*@SaariJarno
Allocated car numbers appeared @OfficialWRC in 1995.
Since then only McRae & Pons have used No.1 without being current champ as #LoebInjured
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DN8iKJCW0AUDMmf.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DN8iMUCWkAAIN9o.jpg
OGier will announce his future plans before or after Rally Australia. https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/statu...79034363596800
http://www.lepoint.fr/sport/ogier-tant-qu-il-y-a-du-plaisir-on-a-envie-de-continuer-en-wrc-06-11-2017-2170211_26.php
Before or during Rally Australia, not after it
He say that for about 3 months before every rally. In joke I could say he will wait a little more just before entry for rally Monte-Carlo will close.
Sordo has had 12 seasons in a top-line WRC drive now - and a number of those years in the best car/team.Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
He can have no complaints and has had a good career. You can see he's accepting of the situation.
Really none of that applies to Paddon. So with that said I'm way more interested to see what happens with him next season
Man, those Xsaras look so tame compared to a modern WRCar. Like stock with a big rear wing.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Sorry, but these new cars are ugly as shit. Sure it's spectacular but some people prefer as much as road going version with super strong power.
Hey look, it's the funny guy who didn't think much of Suninen! Now he's come up with a new joke!Quote:
Originally Posted by ESTR
http://www.sportti.com/uutinen.asp?CAT=1-2&ID=351790
Jouhki saying Suninen is offered 6 WRC rallies for 2018, but they're trying to get more. He also says that if Ogier does not continue at M-Sport, he believes Suninen would get a full season seat.
As I wrote numerous times before I think it's too early for a full season (with the related pressure to perform).
That said Jouhki has pushed trough drivers early before, but for example for Hirvonen it cost him 1 year off and hard-fought way back (2005).
Worth it to take this deal I think - especially if they can pick rallies which suit Teemu a bit more. And reccy the rest.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Lots of contracts are up at the end of 2018 season so with a few more good results he is in the #1 position to get a deal. Or as we saw this year, if some team manager gets itchy then he can be snapped up mid-season.