I wonder what will become of the drivers? Or maybe it will be a repeat of the Kronos? Shame for Mikko, switching teams in fear of not having a seat the next year, only to not have a seat the following year!
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I wonder what will become of the drivers? Or maybe it will be a repeat of the Kronos? Shame for Mikko, switching teams in fear of not having a seat the next year, only to not have a seat the following year!
If the JML to VW rumours are as true as they seem then maybe Mikko can jump straight back to Ford? Him and Petter would be a pretty consistent team which might actually have a chance at the manufacturer's title!Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
Is anyone else feeling that this could be Petter's last year? I hope he continues, but I'm not really sure. I guess if he got a victory then he would continue on, without one it might be more difficult but
.....This season, I tell you.......
Yes, I think this could be his last year in WRC. A win or two could change the situation, but realistically there are too many young guns waiting to fill his shoes.It will be a shame because Petter brings so much more to the WRC than just his speed. Anyway, at this rate and if all the rumours are to be beleived, will there be a WRC next year anyway? Hope not , but it is all a bit `up in the air`!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by 6789
If there are 5-6 manu teams, Petter truly deserves a seat in on of them. But when only 3 and with Sordo, Neuville, Tanak, Ostberg, Novikov, Paddon, Mikelsen storming behind, I dont think so.
In manufacturer seat must be podium regulars, not money wasters.
well, sadly maybe you have right, but it should be to stupid, even for m.wilson. sordo is same speed, mikkelsen, østberg and partly novikov is right behind. but tanak, neuville, paddon etc is not even close petters speed, not to start to think about his experience and showman skills.Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowSon
then its only about money.
I don't think win or two will change the status much, of course win is win, but look what happened in Greece. He at least is consistently scoring points (except Greece)Quote:
Originally Posted by bassist
You hope there will be no WRC next year?!? There should be despite all the problems and looks like there will be promoter then (at least what FIA states).Quote:
Originally Posted by bassist
No.not at all. I think the WRC has to carry on despite all the difficulties, but the climate is not good!Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
wise decision
Disappointed :(
But in a way I can understand their decision.
A shame, but understandable. The contrast with last year, when there was so much optimism, couldn't be greater.
if ford wants to win the manufacturer's title they should hire mikko and sordo. petter doesn't have the speed to win nor the consistency to finish high in the points each time.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
the problem is that solberg is getting too old.Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
he's fast enough for this year, but solberg is only going to become slower, while the young drivers will only become faster/more reliable. within a year, or 2 at maximum, ostberg, novikov, mikkelsen and neuville will be just as fast or even faster.
Yet, buy out or bail out... Matton Interview : 60% external budget for 2013 -> http://oi50.tinypic.com/2ex52lw.jpg
any other news?Quote:
Originally Posted by danon
Coming up next...Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
How do you know until you've sat them in the same car?Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
Rumour has it a promoter has been chosen, just seems to be conflicting reports as to which of the final 3 candidates it is....
Paddon is finding it hard to gather enough cash to complete the SWRC season. If he can get the money together, he hope to contest some rounds next year in a WRC-spec car (unclear what make).
#WRC Full 2012 season standings with [Drivers, Manufacturers, Scratchs, Power Stage] Loeb171, Hirvo128, Citro280 For171........
Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
tanak's car is not wery different from petters, he is to "hot head", but still young.
paddon is a talent, but won't be at petters level at 2-3 yrs more.
neuville has a better car then petter (citroen is clearly better than ford, i doubt he has different spec than seb og mikko), he actually impressed me this weekend, but still he isn't at petters level yet.
Subjective opinion without factual basis.
I agree 100% with you. Already two&three years ago we had to listen to this crap about C4 was a better car than Focus and now we are facing again situation with DS3 and Fiesta. Only P.Solberg or Mikko know the differences and advantages/disadvantages of each car and as much I can remeber nowebody of them stated that on car is so much better that this brings obvious advantage in driving at full.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Don't know has this been here before but now when Esapekka Lappi has got everyone's attention it's worth mentioning that he will do Rally Germany this month with Citroen C2. Next year is also going to be fully international IRC/ERC being the most likely series.
In general I agree but I do remember Mikko saying something about the Citroen being much easier to handle on flowing roads as it's less twitchy - results from Finland would support this, and also the fact that Petter and JML have been very quick on the twisty stuff and slower on the faster, flowier stages. Also Sordo commented on the twitchiness of the Ford compared to the Mini as far as I remember.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ucci
^ I remember reading that somewhere as well. I think mikko said Citroen has better understanding of their diffs
Why would he prefer IRC instead of SWRC? IRC is based on tarmac, where Lappi has no experience. Maybe the reason is financial. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by vkangas
I think you answered your question already.Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis
Lappi started his career in karting so he is used to driving on tarmac more than other Finns normally.Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis
Nothing bad in some tarmac Rally experience, which most Finns don't really have.Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis
Dont underestimate Finns on tarmac - Tommi Makinen was more than capable of getting a good result on tarmac, and as DonJippo said Lappi was lkating at a high level, Formula A.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
maybe that is the reason why... maybe he wants to make a career out of it and improving on tarmac is the only way... otherwise he ends up like his fellow Fins in the garbage bin of media champs...Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis
You know not every rally driver has the chicken mentality of the greek drivers where they are scared to do any rallies on surfaces they do not know well.
But what Finns drive normally? :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo
Car, tractor?Quote:
Originally Posted by janvanvurpa
Nej I'm sure they drive their tractors full gas, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Franky
Another one in a growing row...
Here we had even a petition of crews against mandatory use of HANS (there were no lumbar vertebrae fractures before and than something like two dozens in last few years just in CZ) but as usually without any effect. If someone wants to use it why not but it shall not be mandatory.
I think it is the choise of Even Rally, his managers. They see IRC as good opportunity to gain experience before entering WRC. Very good choise from my point of view. Neuville and Mikkelsen good examples.Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis