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The Citroen has gone through some major changes, specifically to make it easier on the limit. It started life with a weird torque split, for example. For me, it was rough around the edges to start with but has been improved through its development. I expect the combination of Ogier and Citroen to be challenging for another title in 2019.
I did.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
The answer to this predicament is both simple and extraordinarly complicated. M-Sport need to convince a manufacturer other than Ford to use them for a WRC entry. Might be impossible, but that's the only way.Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
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But who? Would have to be a major manuf, especially popular in EU, have affordable cars, especially hatchbacks and can't have sister brands already in competing. Mini ( we know how that went) and Renault i would say, only ones. MAYBE MB A-class, bot they are a premium brand an already on the circuits.Quote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
Because Ford aren't particularly bothered about the WRC. Nascar/IMSA/WEC is their priority - it really is that simple. As for finding sponsorship, it's a competitive market out there; far bigger & more successful sports also have issues getting deals.Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
I agree largely with this post. But I believe the biggest risk lies elsewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
There's no question that Meeke is a hard charger and pure entertainment. However because of that it seems to have been forgotten that he was binned by Citroen because he had become a danger to both himself and everybody around him.
I hope Tommi has thought about how to mitigate that risk when deciding to give him a go.
Suggestions that it was all about the car and Ogier and Lappi will be tossing the C3 into the trees with similar regularity are ridiculous.
Hard to imagine Ford will ever come back. If they didn't when they had the world champion and one of the best drivers in the history of the sport, I can't see them returning now he's gone and they're left with scraps....
to be fair.. i think that's a good idea for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
It would have to be a Chinese company wanting to improve global perception (or newly Chinese owned, like Proton), Suzuki, Renault/Nissan/Dacia or Mazda.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
The problem with M-Sport going for another Manu is all the servicing/parts of all the Fords they have been selling for decades...
They can keep on doing it. Prodrive still makes parts for Subaru WRC, i think.
Running two makes will hardly be economical. It would effectively require setting up a whole seperate business.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
There's no chance of another Manu at the moment, especially with the coming of electric cars. Its not going to happen.
Eddie, M-Sport could very easily continue their Ford operation and run another works team. Essentially, this is what they have done by running Bentley.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
They hire more people, make more space and crack on. It’s simple expansion. Nothing stopping them at all.
The Ford history is too strong IMO.
Even if they would do set-up again from scratch there's no sign of a new Manu at this uncertain time.
There were talks about a FWD Suzuki Swift developed by M-Sport i believe...
Well, that is s totally different argument... yes, of course there is no sign of another manufacturer, but to reiterate the answer to your earlier post, COULD they do it... yes, 100%. And would Mr Wilson pledge allegiance to Ford because of the love-in over the years and say 'no' to another manufacturer?... I can't see that happening IF someone else came along that wants a WRC car designing and building.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I must admit, watching the rally the other week did make me question the intentions of the rule makers and the 2017 cars. I mean, was the plan to only have works cars and are they happy with the spectators only seeing 11 or so top-spec cars? Or did they think they would have a load of privateers running them too? If it was the latter, then something has gone very wrong. On the other hand, the amount of top-spec cars is OK (ish) for the TV coverage, which doesn't rely on generating it's excitement by volume of competitors, more competition amongst a few top drivers.
It really is a shame that there are so few 2017 cars, but maybe that's just me being selfish and wanting more or the incredible buzz you get when one of these things goes past.... Like I have said before on here, we really are watching something special with these cars, they are as fast as fuchs.
Back to Silly Season - Loeb now has no programme for 2019...
Well, they clearly said, that 2017 spec. is for manuf. only, hence the allowed registration only by a manuf. (Ostberg), WRC trophyfor the previous spec.
So, a 2017 spec car can only be run by manufacturer team only? (Sorry if I have misunderstood). If that’s the case, what the hell are they playing at! Why not allow anyone to run one who wants to and make for a better spectating pov?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
Safety aspect, if they do that we will probably end up with chicanes all over the placeQuote:
Originally Posted by T16
Latvala also has one year contract with ToyotaQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Lappi´s contract with Toyota ends 31.12.2018, so it´s possible that he can start driving C3 only 2019, but they are trying to change that.
(Source: Ari Mäntylä / Keskisuomalainen, local newspaper in Jyväskylä)
Probably one of Latvala/Meeke will leave Toyota at the end of next year, that's my feeling. Whoever has the worst results could make way for Kalle if that is what is indeed earmarked. Would make sense with the 1yr contracts for Jari and Kris...
But it's an incredibly exciting and dynamic team line-up in the meantime. One that clearly many on here and in the motorsport press didn't even think was going to happen, so let's enjoy it.
Makinen has done things differently since he took control of this Toyota project, and has been slated since the get-go by many. Including me at times when questioning certain decisions/things.
Whether it was the decision to run the team out of the farm in remote Finland, taking the development away from TMG, when he overlooked 'golden boy' at the time Mikkelsen for Latvala, when he went for Tanak last season over pursuing Seb Ogier, and now going back for a second time to finally sign Meeke, to create this aggressive driver line-up. All those decisions have been criticised by many.
But honestly, Makinen can sit there and say he's got the majority of decisions right in the last few years. They got a podium on their first ever event, won the 2nd event in Sweden and saw Jari help develop that Yaris so much over the winter before Monte Carlo. Jari was up there in the championship and would've been towards the end of last season if it wasn't for the technical problems in Poland and Finland, so clearly they haven't regretted signing him. Makinen again mentioned in yesterday's press release about the great work Latvala has done for the team.
So I think Tommi now deserves the benefit of the doubt. His team lead the manufacturers by a decent margin at this stage, he's signed and helped further develop Tanak into the fastest WRC driver (imo), and as he really wants Meeke, who are any of us to argue with this signing. He clearly knows what he's doing and how he wants to run his team, and he clearly looks for certain things in his drivers.
Whether you like Meeke/Makinen/Toyota or not, what the "village team" are doing is great for the WRC. And with Japan on board I hope they'll be around for years to come to build something lasting in the sport. I'm sure that's what Makinen wants.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpEUkmfh...scottymartin__
Scott Martin trying a new 2019 custom fit helmet...
For most things we can only guess what would have happened with other decisions. But to automatically assume it would be worse is wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
At end of 2016 they could get Ogier to drive and develop the car instead of Latvala. Seemingly he turned them down, but it also seems that Tommi did not really want him and for some reason also let him test the car on wet tarmac where it was far from ready (on purpose?). Tommi said as much himself. Why not let him test in Finland where the car was driving all the time? Would it get better with Ogier instead of Latvala? Possibly yes, but we will never know.
Mikkelsen was clearly faster than Latvala in same car in 2016 and got better results too. How would it go if he was there instead of Latvala? We will never know. Certainly hard to judge based on I20 experience where he came into a "developed" car with drivers that have been in the team for multiple years.
Similarly while getting Tanak certainly got them one fast driver, it also looks like it got Lappi to leave (if indirectly) and Latvala is back to his 2016 VW style (clearly 2nd and on half events even 3rd driver in the team with lots of confidence issues). Again Ogier was seemingly available at end of 2017, but it looked like they didn't even show real interest. If he joined instead of Tanak maybe they would have won both titles by now.... or maybe they would have no chance of either, again impossible to know.
Anyway they are charging for both titles now so can't say that he made very bad decisions and in the end results (and championships) are the only thing that matter to the outside.
i wonder if tanak had joined toyota in 2017, would he have been world champion?Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
we considered the toyota to be not on the same level as the ford or the hyundai, but perhaps it was all down to inferior drivers. perhaps that toyota was then already the fastest car.
I'm sure Tanak would admit that he learned a hell of a lot during 2017 from his World Champion team-mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by denkimi
He does. At the end of last year, he gave an interview where he talked about the things he learned and said he wouldn't mind continuing to learn, but he wants equal chances (mainly same spec car), therefore the departure. What I liked about Tänak and Ogier working together in 2017 is the mutual respect that developed during that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpE47_RB...-by=loeb_seb_9
Of course a great idea was presented on twitter, he should go to M-Sport :DQuote:
Well as announced today at the Paris Motor Show, #Peugeot Team will not be involved in the 2019 @fiaworldrx as they are looking at development towards electric cars in Motorsport by 2020. Now where do we go from here. �� #wrc ? :) We shall see over the coming days and weeks. ���� ;-)
they became really good friends and get a long really well...last year at Rally Spain i was at the end of the power stage at the podium, while they were waiting for Meeke to finish it was pure joy to watch Tänak and Ogier, they congratulated each other, they were chatting all the time, making jokes, talking about driving and etc, despite the fact that Tänak got a call from Wilson some hours ago after one stage and told him to stop fighting with Seb.Quote:
Originally Posted by tr4m
Every time estonian press does a interview with Seb then he always mentions that Ott has learned a lot from him, even too much :D
Malcom would finally get all the drivers he has wanted in the last decade :DQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Why he want to be back in WRC. I mean he is legend surely, but one driver will seat this year almost sure (Paddon, Sordo, Evans, Ostberg, Breen)... And then Qassimi will drive one car and now Loeb want to get a seat too and obviously he will be prior to others... It's not right. It'sn not my call but It would be helpful if all would run three cars and maybe some other manu will be involved, then there wouldn't be a problem at all. (just my thoughts).
He's earned it by being one of the best drivers. I'm sure if he was at the same caliber as the other guys in his day he would lose many opportunities as well. That's life
PSA confirmed Loeb will continue as one of their drivers after WRX ends.. programme as yet undecided.
Well, what programmes do PSA have? Dakar, World RX have both been pulled - so using a process of elimination, you're not left with a lot to choose from......(well those that are suitable for a 9xWRChampion)
WTCR maybe with 308. Volvo is entering also again next year. So it could be interesting.
You used 'WTCR' and 'interesting' in the same sentence there and I've got confused.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
@JPImperato
"For @SebastienLoeb it's too early to say, but he remains a pilot for PSA Motorsport so we will think about the future with him."
I think Malcolm's history with Ford in rallying is probably too strong to allow this.........Quote:
Originally Posted by tomhlord
That's true, and I am aware how hard it is to find sponsorship, but Toyota, Citroen and Hyundai have all secured title sponsor deals, and I can't help thinking that one of the reasons M-Sport has been unable to is because they are not a manufacturer team, in the strictest sense of the term. In other words, Microsoft entered a partnership with Toyota, Shell entered a partnership with Hyundai; that is quite different from a company entering into a partnership with what is essentially Malcolm Wilson Motorsport.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC