Martini is free. He could pursue them or Monster Energy with Block on board. Qatar maybe again.
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Martini is free. He could pursue them or Monster Energy with Block on board. Qatar maybe again.
Re: Martini, I don't see a lot of alcohol sponsors on WRC cars nowadays - a regulation like with cigarettes maybe?
It used be great livery back in the day but it doesn’t do it for me on those pictures.
So let’s look at the Hyundai situation. They have announced that Thierry has a contract for three years and will lead the team in 2019. Andreas has a contract for 2019. The contracts (or lack of them) for both Dani and Hayden are yet to be announced. BUT. In 2018 both Dani and Hayden had contracts then Andreas was brought in over the top of them both and we had the share car situation.
We are lead to believe that Dani has stated that he does not want a full season.
Hyundai have just updated the car to include the transmission changes that Hayden has been requesting ever since the car first saw the light of day
Hayden meanwhile is back in NZ quietly running his AP4 car in various configurations including a new rear wing that not only is more pleasing to the eye but actually works better than the WRC type rear wing he had been using.
Could it be that the final decision has yet to be made and that it could well be Andreas and Dani sharing a car?
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mk2 RS2000
Paddon has been the slowest Hyundai everywhere except Finland.
The diff for Paddon that you talk about was introduced before Finland, so there were 3 gravel rallies where to use it, he wasn't slowest only on one of them.
Well, I actually think the rumours that Hayden stays contracted with Hyundai and is loaned to M-Sport could be true. Hayden would get the final chance to show his potential on all 14 rallies, if he doesn't perform well, he would be dropped after that season. Sordo could share the car with Huttunen.
I would be surprised if Paddon drives for M-Sport given the number of hot-shoe Finns and other not-so-hot-shoe Europeans with serious financial backing to buy a seat at M-Sport
Ford NZ sponsors sports teams e.g All Blacks (rugby), Cricket and hockey. https://www.ford.co.nz/about-ford/sponsorship/
I doubt Paddon's family of NZ sponsors could bring the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ required/ necessary for a wrc season.
Not sure that is a great comparison, in Turkey for sure and from watching him myself in GB, he was told to finish so wasn't pushing like the TN and AM.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Looking at the Skoda motorsport's social media accounts and the amount of posts about Chris Ingram I would put some money on that he will be in the factory car next year.
Any other rumours/thoughts about Skodas next year line up? Kalle seems to be the only one with a deal currently.
I wrote some time ago about Ingram must being in Skoda colours and official site of Skoda Motorsport like it that post.
I've not seen these social media posts re Ingram & Skoda Motorsport - are we talking a WRC-2 drive or something else (ERC, BRC) ?
Also, isnt the new ERC U28 champion Nikolay Gryazin likely to get a deal with them first ?
If you think Paddon is the slowest of the Hyundai drivers you are delusional. Statistics and data only paints a part of the picture but without knowing the backroom conversations, workshop goings on and/or goals and targets set one cannot measure the performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
most of the times backroom conversations don't bring points... only results do... and paddon after his win last year is nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
He has the worst visible results.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Could it be he was for example asked in Turkey to take it easy? Sure. He could have been asked before the rally, after first few stages or as late as saturday mid-day.
But lets turn this around. If you have 2 drivers than don't fight for the championship, which one would you as a team boss ask to take it easy and secure points.... surely not the one you believe to be faster.
That win is actually nearly two and half years ago now. Says a lot about his struggles...Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
In Turkey he said before the rally even started that his strategy was to hold back and protect the car, and you might remember that it paid off with a podium. Thats not being slow, its intelligent driving.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
He who pays the piper calls the tune. Manufactures employ drivers to win the Manufacturers Championship. That is the title the Board Room requires. Drivers Championship is nice but it is secondary in their quest. This season Hayden has put aside his personal goals so as to assist Hyundai achieve theirs.Quote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
When TN stuffs up who ever is nominated as the 2nd driver cannot chase the podium and risk the manufacturers points. Unfortunately Andreas has not proved to be reliable in that role.
WRC official Youtube channel suggests Breen is going to M-Sport! http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1TPh6OZ2-o
It’s just a section of the Catalynua WRC+ preview magazine, published already on friday. Just rumors...
Nice to see WRC on mainstream TV, albeit regional (BBC NI have a good-ish record). Words the same, might even be new footage although maybe I did not see all of last week:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/motor...channel=social
. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6f7e956aae.jpg
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Seems to be the case in all the WRC related platforms.Quote:
Originally Posted by mufcAleksi
Seems more like an open secret now rather than just a "rumour".
Suninen, Breen and Evans or Paddon...
If Paddon stays at Hyundai on a half season deal (he'd be silly to do so vs a possible full season at Msport), then I don't see why Malcolm would want to keep Evans for another year over giving Pontus Tidemand a chance. Evans doesn't bring money, and he's had 4 full seasons or something in the WRC now and not shown enough.
You could say Kalle's speed this year has maybe shown Pontus up a little, but he still deserves a chance in a WRC car and it would be exciting to see him alongside Suninen and Breen in a youthful team. Evans being given a 5th year wouldn't really be exciting or interesting (unless you're a huge fan of Evans and that's what you care about most).
If Malcolm can put faith in Eric Camilli then surely Tidemand deserves at least a season, especially when there are very few other options around.
I think Evans is in the last chance saloon in Spain and Australia. Wilson is really giving him every chance and saying 'the speed is there' and 'he's been unlucky'.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Re Breen to M-Sport, I've been saying this for weeks.
Re Breen to M-Sport, I've been saying this for weeks.[/QUOTE]
You also said Breen possibly to Hyundai and Paddon possibly to M-Sport, Eddie..... no prizes for covering every possible outcome.
After I realized this is 4th full season for Evans I had short look on how many season drivers did (including 2018). I didn't check very precisely so it's just an idicator. I count full season when driver only missed 1-2 rallies. I also added driver age (going just by year)
Latvala 12 - 33 years
Sordo 9 + 4 short ones - 35y
Ogier 8 + 1 short - 35y
Neuville 7 - 30y
Tanak 5 - 31y
Østberg 4 + 3-4 short (often with private car) -31y
Mikkelsen 4 + 2 short - 29y
Evans 4 - 30y
Meeke 3 + 3 short -39 y
Paddon 3 + 2 short - 31y
Breen 0 + 3 short - 28y
Lappi 1 + 1 short -27y
Suninen 0 (though this year is almost full) - 24y
Apart from Latvala who I knew off from before, I was surprised Neuville has been around for so long. Clearly Evans also stands out in this comparison , specially since Paddon, Breen, Lappi and sometimes also Suninen have been faster than him this year.
Αnother interesting is Meeke is almost same as Paddon
You also said Breen possibly to Hyundai and Paddon possibly to M-Sport, Eddie..... no prizes for covering every possible outcome.[/QUOTE]Quote:
Originally Posted by T16
I didnt say Breen to Hyundai... quote me T16.
No-one else was saying Breen to M-Sport.
Miika Wuorela brought up that Breen had been offered a 2+1 deal from M-Sport on 3rd October https://www.motorsportforums.com/sho...59#post1193459Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
In this post from September 26th Eddie suggests that Breen stays at Citroen and T16 replies he should go to M-Sport
I didnt say Breen to Hyundai... quote me T16.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
No-one else was saying Breen to M-Sport.[/QUOTE]
you posted this: So as the Ulsterman gets a seat, the Irishman now looks to be out of one. Where next for Breen ?
M-Sport or part-time at Hyundai seem the only choices. Or could it be full-time there and Mikkelsen dropped after his poor year...
Ha - brilliant - well spotted AnttiL.... Eddie, what you say to that?Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
This thread has gone rapidly downhill, tragic.
On the plus side, there's a rally on and still some 2019 seats to fill. Onwards.
actually has.. very tragic..
So if Breen & Paddon do go to M-Sport as rumoured, do you guys think this is better for their futures than part seasons with Citroen & Hyundai respectively?
The advantage would obviously be guaranteed full season, gaining experience & momentum on every round rather than more pressure on every event they compete in.
The disadvantage is not being in a "factory" backed car. Citroen are going to fling money at the car now(by the sounds of it) but it looks like Breen is not going to be there to reap the rewards, and of course the Hyundai is fast as is and will continue to be developed.
The Fiesta is only going to fall behind on development as time goes on.
Of course my hope is a full season will suit both drivers (particularly Breen who hasn't got that chance yet) but only time will tell.
It hinges on the amount of car development budget. e.g. new aero on all cars, engine upgrades etc. If M-Sport can keep up with the development race then I feel it's a good move. If they are behind due to budget constraints then Breen and Paddon may find themselves at the bottom of the top 10.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jewy46
I do think that Fiesta will fall behind in development.
But still it might be good for them because:
- Fiesta will still be an allround car, which can't really be said about both C3 (problems in trick conditions) and I20 (fast rallies/low grip/tarmac)
- more importantly they will be in same team with the youngest driver on the edge of establishing himself, if one of them is clearly faster than Suninen all the time in same car, it should help his employnment chances
For Breen I think it's a no brainer, go to MSport if thats an option. For Paddon it's more complicated, he has a strong relationship with Hyundai, not just in WRC and he might have the opinion that he could have a lasting relationship with the company after he stops driving in WRC etc. For his long term employment it might be good to stay, even if its not a full time drive...Incidentally I think Kopecky is in a similar situation with Skoda.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobJones