WRC2 news & rumors 2023

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

Let´s see.
Now it´s Mikkelsen having pressure. Could be kind of new situation for him.

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You seem to have been on a different planet last 7 years then

- 2017 Germany, his 3 round contract with Citroen was ending with mediocre to bad outings, ended 2nd and got 2 year Hyundai deal
- at Hyundai in 2019 it was one weak rally and kick on next
- in 2021 he said he wanted to dominate every rally, in the end he managed that only on a few but won both WRC2 and ERC title even though he was behind mid season in both championships vs Østberg, Gryazin, Solberg, Lukyanuk, Huttunen, Fourmaux, Suninen
- last year he was behind after the double engine failures and had to win or almost win every rally, from then on, worked on first two (Greece, Ypres) failed on Acropolis

But sure pressure is totally new situation.

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

I´m not all sure when he drove last time. And he wants to go to Rally1 car. That makes pressure.

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Lausnitz rally. First rally for new Fabia, right after he lost the "done" deal for Rally1 at Hyundai.

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Originally Posted by mknight

You seem to have been on a different planet last 7 years then

- 2017 Germany, his 3 round contract with Citroen was ending with mediocre to bad outings, ended 2nd and got 2 year Hyundai deal
- at Hyundai in 2019 it was one weak rally and kick on next
- in 2021 he said he wanted to dominate every rally, in the end he managed that only on a few but won both WRC2 and ERC title even though he was behind mid season in both championships vs Østberg, Gryazin, Solberg, Lukyanuk, Huttunen, Fourmaux, Suninen
- last year he was behind after the double engine failures and had to win or almost win every rally, from then on, worked on first two (Greece, Ypres) failed on Acropolis

But sure pressure is totally new situation.

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Why are you talking about ancient times?
I´m still on earth, and know there are plenty of young guns (not only Oliver, if that´s what you hung up about) proved fast in WRC2.
Whatever Mikkelsen done in the past, he most presumable have a lot of pressure, not only from himself, but also from sponsors, teams etz.
Let´s hope he can show good speed and be the benchmark guy for the youngsters as everone think.

When was Lausnitz rally?

I wonder if we might see Andreas in a BRR Fabia with Red Bull backing? He was a guest at the Janner Rallye which made me wonder this.

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Originally Posted by RS

I wonder if we might see Andreas in a BRR Fabia with Red Bull backing? He was a guest at the Janner Rallye which made me wonder this.

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There is another driver planning to start with BRR Fabia, but we will see what will happen ;)

I think Mikkelsen would be better off paying for that yaris or even puma for 3/4 events, than doing wrc2 again.

Hes been there and done rally2 and it's got him nowhere. Even if he beats Solberg etc this season,, the younger drivers will still be looked at as more favourable by team bosses with "higher potential". Andreas needs 3or4 eye catching results in rally1. He has some funds/backing/sponsorship but thinks he's now above paying?!! His career is dying. He's been in two championship winning teams in VW (when the championship was a 1team championship), then another title winning manufacturer and was trounced by Ogier and Neuville across every season. Even Latvala had more wins at VW.

Malcolm Wilson doesn't rate him, Toyota have never been keen, and Hyundai chose Breen and Lappi over him. Difference is this year, Toyota and Msport will give him a car if he can pay for a few events. Then if he comfortably beats Loubet/Katsuta etc, maybe more opportunities will arise.

Great news for the wrc2 battle though, nice benchmark and would be nice if Meeke /Paddon /ostberg could do an event here or there too

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Originally Posted by er88

I think Mikkelsen would be better off paying for that yaris or even puma for 3/4 events, than doing wrc2 again.

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I think two Rally1 events is as expensive as whole WRC2 season. And you don't get Skoda factory support for that...

I don't know, he would maybe need to win those rallies to be noticed by the team bosses. It's really tough to get to Rally1 right now.

I'm quite sure Stellantis coming into Rally1 from 2025, everyone in wrc2 want to be a part of that team from next year, both young talents and more experienced drivers.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by skarderud

I'm quite sure Stellantis coming into Rally1 from 2025, everyone in wrc2 want to be a part of that team from next year, both young talents and more experienced drivers.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

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Interessting, any more info?

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Originally Posted by er88

I think Mikkelsen would be better off paying for that yaris or even puma for 3/4 events, than doing wrc2 again.

Hes been there and done rally2 and it's got him nowhere. Even if he beats Solberg etc this season,, the younger drivers will still be looked at as more favourable by team bosses with "higher potential". Andreas needs 3or4 eye catching results in rally1. He has some funds/backing/sponsorship but thinks he's now above paying?!! His career is dying. He's been in two championship winning teams in VW (when the championship was a 1team championship), then another title winning manufacturer and was trounced by Ogier and Neuville across every season. Even Latvala had more wins at VW.

Malcolm Wilson doesn't rate him, Toyota have never been keen, and Hyundai chose Breen and Lappi over him. Difference is this year, Toyota and Msport will give him a car if he can pay for a few events. Then if he comfortably beats Loubet/Katsuta etc, maybe more opportunities will arise.

Great news for the wrc2 battle though, nice benchmark and would be nice if Meeke /Paddon /ostberg could do an event here or there too

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Apparently one rally with a Rally1-car is 450 000 euros. That's way too expensive to try your luck in a few events.