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Couple of things - Toyota thanked Lappi for everything as he left while Citroen didn't mention a word about this year's drivers. Although admittedly it is easier for Toyota knowing Lappi has been announced elsewhere.
Also no mention of contract length for anyone that I could see?
Two-year contract for Lappi.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
In Motorsport News today there are quotes from Penasse at Hyundai all but confirming that Sordo will be back for a shared programme.
Looks like the lack of a calendar until last week has slowed down talks with Paddon, as they didn't know which rounds were on the table to split.
Malcolm Wilson also saying they are focused on this year's title fight and to not expect any announcements from them any time soon.
This is a marketing move from toyota because from a riving perspective meeke has nothing to offer.
Good video on Meekes Facebook page, where he explains his feeling with the Yaris, and how he feels connected to the road in it, a feeling he hasn't had for a long time.
yes very intetesting. Lappi going from that to the c3..Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
who is right and who is wrong. I've a feeling meeke will challenge for wins and Lappi will not.
Yes, good q&a a couple of posts down too, says he hadn't been enjoying rallying for the last 18 months, and a rather telling line about Japanese culture of respect and honour that he finds refreshing!Quote:
Originally Posted by wrc2017
Also on meekes facebook video he casually drops "who wouldve thought that Ött Tänak, Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke would all be in the same team" :D
Not that we dont know it but Latvala is still delaying the news.
confirmed at their twitter accountQuote:
Originally Posted by gheeD
https://twitter.com/Rallyper/status/1052475845309272064
Yes Latvala announced in the tgr press release along with Meeke.Quote:
Originally Posted by gheeD
I did note that comment in the vid though, tells us that Kris knows they are all drivers that have a similar all out style.
So, unlikely next year's WRC champion will be French?
Well, Budar speaking about signing Lappi saying things like, we were looking to sign two strong drivers, and together they will form a formidable pair (I may be paraphrasing) it looks probably just a two car line up, so Ogier will have to rely on Lappi as his wing man. Can't see that helping his cause.Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
If you think he has nothing to offer, what do you think his best result next year will be?
Two car line up has been mentioned weeks ago already.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
Meeke has nothing to offer anymore apart from making the brits a bit more interested in toyota...Quote:
Originally Posted by T16
His results don't matter, he cannot be champion and he will not give good points in the manufacturer battle... if he wins by luck or gets a podium or two the value of it will be that the brits who are not very bright to be interested a bit more in toyota...
plus toyotas useless incompetent management can now say that they are no longer a full finnish village team of nobodies that are getting carried by an estonian... its a win win situation both for toyota and meeke but not for the sport.
What a load of rubbish. A driver, who is capable of winning, in the best car and who will probably fight at the top end on most of the rallys and you say it's not good for the sport. Yes, he will be good for exposure, but he is fast too.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
You've spent a lot of time on here slating the Toyota team and now they clearly have the fastest car, by a long shot, you were pretty wrong about them, so lets see where your prediction of Meeke offering nothing driving-wise gets you.
That D rail hurting your a-rse?Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
You don't even need to read the post to know that, just see who wrote it. Same old drivel, it used to be funny but now its just boring.Quote:
Originally Posted by T16
A lot of veiled criticism of Citroen in Meeke's comments on the difference at 'family-team' Toyota. He was clearly pretty unhappy for a long time..
Toyota has a great line-up now with popular, fast, exciting driver's.
Mentioned, but confirmed?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
Lol. Us Brits, who are not very bright eh!Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Coming from the fella that has slated and written off the team that has won its second rally on returning to the sport, and is now leading manufacturers championship.
I'm guessing a certain team principle that has won four world championships and seems to be making the correct decisions running a world rally team, just might be a little bit more intelligent and qualified to be a good judge of who to employ, than someone who may just about be qualified to type drivel on his computer/laptop/device using both hands instead of the one . . But fear you may only be capable of stabbing at it one fat finger at a time ;)
I can't find the source now, but I think it was from Budar's interview. Anyone?Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
Alain Penasse actually confirmed that at the Rally Forum two weeks ago now...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Yes on alllive at wales rallyQuote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
no you are not very bright... to put it gently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
Toyota are getting carried by tanak... their car is trash.
When Latvala was in VW he was easily 2nd in the championhsip and mikkelsen 3rd... where is latvala now and last year if toyota is so much superior ? where are the other drivers with such a superior car ?
Tanak carries that worthless village team... where was toyota without him ?
Have you seen the car in action live this year?Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Latvala was fighting in the top last year, then came tech. issues and this season...who knows, probably his head. You will always be saying that, maybe just for trolling and irritating people, but deep down you know, that a car taking almost 4 consecutive wins.... its not just about the driver.
Signing Meeke can be risky but any of the drivers you’ve mentioned is far from Meeke raw speed; we keep complaining about how disappointing the drivers level sometimes is (behind the top 3 or 4) but Meeke is one of the few able to fight for the win in any event, which is great for the series. Besides, Makinen is not Matton and if Meeke starts behaving wildly it won’t probably take long to show him the exit door.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
If Abu Dhabi stays, Citroen will likely have a 3rd car with a decent driver running most of the season (Al Qassimi has been doing only 4 events per year); if not, then it may be just a 2 car team, but a real strong one, with 2 of the current top 5 WRC drivers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
There is actually some fact to this, without Tänak they would not have a single win this year and Lappi and Latvala combined would not have as many fastest stage times as Neuville and Ogier have on their own, I`m not saying the car is bad, it`s definitely not, but I wouldn`t say it`s by far the best either, the main difference seems to be Tänak and this is something he started to show last year in M-sport as well..Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Yes us Brits are not very bright. By the way, that world wide web that you're using to communicate with us thickos on, British invention. And the telephone wire that you're internet is connected to, oh . . British invention.
And, maybe, you watch rallying on your television . . . Guess what! Oh, you might be sitting in a house, held together with cement, which is . . Yes you've guessed it. And when it gets dark, you might want to turn that British invention called a light bulb on.
And, just for sick dogs like you when you're feeling ill, thank the Brits for the antibiotics that help you feel better.
that sentence proves it....Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
get that inferiority syndrome elsewhere... the general british population are mud eating simpletons... your intelligence is as good as comprehending the latest episode of eastenders...
You also owe a lot to greeks but the general greek population are the worst socially uneducated trash you ever come across...
Oh good god, yes, we invented that EastEnders shyte as well. I'll let you have that one!
https://www.rallit.fi/esapekka-lappi...a-valkoisella/
Lappi’s contract says he won’t become solely Ogier’s helping hand and they will drive similar spec cars
lol... nice joke.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
I bet they still know more about rallying than you do.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Did anyone expect Meeke would say he doesn't like the car and/or the team at this point? Or that he will give any praises to Citroen that kicked him?
He might be telling honest truth off course, but even if the opposite was true it would never get to the press at this point.
Anyway the most important part was Meeke saying he is there to help Toyota win manu title and enjoy it. If he keeps his focus on that instead of seeing it as his last chance for title and drives without pressure it could work well (like in 2016).
On a side note I didn't see anything about contract length?
Similar. Then not exactly the same. There it is. I hope he beats him and Citroen stays open mouthed for a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
He said the priority would be to sort out the two cars first, but he didn't write the third car off completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
Who is this co-driver, please?
https://i.postimg.cc/xTM2x3mv/CoDriver.png
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKZ19Z1DY5A
Same co-driver as he used on the weekend in Italy: Derek Brannigan