Originally Posted by
Danny0405
For me, Millener’s story about they only would hire a WDC contender is clearly bs. I don’t really understand how they could hope to hire one with a team not able to make PET everywhere (I precise it’s not a criticism, I understand the financial situation is not simple), with not that much ability of development and whereas all the contenders have a contract for next year. It’s clearly only PR thing: only spot for hiring one will be 2024 at the end of their contract if one has been disappointing with this risk that it’s a declining driver (a bit like Hirvonen comeback in 2014).
And on the other hand, Wilson has always been clear that they are making top-class only as a store front to show they are better than other preparation brand; as they don’t have VW or Toyota money, it’s understandable they cannot compete for a lot of wins but they should be able to compete for at least 3/4 podiums as they did after Ford and Qatar withdrawal in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 (and we could say they were not that far in 2020); 2017-2018 was a bit special in the next few years.
If they’re not able to do this at least in the next few years (with no more advantage of having prepared the new generation car first), it’s a non-sense to follow in the top-class championship, they should focus to fix the Rally2 car and quit the top class because they’re not winning any money in Rally1 (almost no pure client) and the front store would not be attractive.
IMO, best realistic solution for them for next year is to go for a individual rally strategy and completely forgetting about the global picture championship.
Which means:
- Take back Breen to a role of part-time driver, it’s where he was the most efficient with Citroen and Hyundai, focusing on some events and having even better road positions. Should be possible with Breen outside of top 5 in WDC except if they messed up badly on the contract.
- sharing his car with a guy with not too far RC1 experience who could be able to play one or two podiums with cheap salary (not paying to drive but paid only the minimum): best would be Ogier or Lappi if they are not maintained by Toyota but complicated I think. Else Mikkelsen or Suninen are probably the best shots; would be surprising they couldn’t convince one of the 2 with that type of offers, they have to take risks now to comeback in top class. Ostberg, Paddon or Meeke too risky in my opinion so only other option would be Solberg if not kept by Hyundai
- convincing Loeb of making a 3-to-5-round calendar; don’t think he wants to do more and anyway, he is not anymore the 30-yo Loeb, don’t think he can be efficient in a large calendar as he is making much more mistakes than in the past (hopefully I would say considering his age)
- focusing on one second-tier youngster, probably with some backing, either Loubet, Fourmaux, Huttunen, Rossel or even Lindholm. Theoretically, best would be Loubet as it was the most convincing and he knows the car so lowest learning delay to wait and more probability to take profit fast. In other scenario, Solberg if not kept by Hyundai
- and then, to finish, whoever pays fully for the drives.
For me, it’s the best way they have to optimize the result with something that is in their financial range.
