[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

Hmmm... I'm hearing they (Jouhki and crew) want Kalle to head to MSport for a 1 yr only deal.

I would think this mainly because Toyota is trying to groom Katsuta. Bringing Kalle onboard will make Katsuta look bad to be honest.

I actually think Kalle is fairly mature for his age and experience. He can be a 3-5th place finisher and bring strong points while building his skill. I would pick Kalle over Taka-San, but tell that to Mr. Toyoda.

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Originally Posted by racerx1979

I actually think Kalle is fairly mature for his age and experience. He can be a 3-5th place finisher and bring strong points while building his skill.

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Depends a lot on the rally. Just take Suninen and Lappi, in Poland and Finland they had stage wins right off and win / fight for podium. Then in rallies like Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Turkey they were minutes behind everyone last year and sometimes also this year.

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Originally Posted by racerx1979

Hmmm... I'm hearing they (Jouhki and crew) want Kalle to head to MSport for a 1 yr only deal.

I would think this mainly because Toyota is trying to groom Katsuta. Bringing Kalle onboard will make Katsuta look bad the be honest.

I actually think Kalle is fairly mature for his age and experience. He can be a 3-5th place finisher and bring strong points while building his skill. I would pick Kalle over Taka-San, but tell that to Mr. Toyoda.

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Katsuta will be disaster in a WRC machinery and this comes with no disrespect at all. He just is not ready at all. Even Meeke is less accident prone than Taka-san

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Originally Posted by cali

Katsuta will be disaster in a WRC machinery and this comes with no disrespect at all. He just is not ready at all. Even Meeke is less accident prone than Taka-san

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I agree.. he pushes a lot and makes a lot of mistakes. Lets see how he does in Germany. My guess is he gets beat by a few WRC 2 guys.

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Originally Posted by racerx1979

I agree.. he pushes a lot and makes a lot of mistakes. Lets see how he does in Germany. My guess is he gets beat by a few WRC 2 guys.

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My guess would be Greensmith level on gravel. Difficult to say about tarmac though.

Some guys just isn't great and he is one of those guys. Great that they see potential in him, but eventually no one will be interested in him except japanese-finish. And out there are many young drivers with far more proven potential than him. I would say Bergvist, Solans, Gryazin and Ingram.

Listening to rumors in various estonian sources - it seems that Meeke is as good as gone from TGR after this season and JML has "last warning". If either of them make stupid mistakes and ignore team strategy again, then they may get sacked mid-season.

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Originally Posted by AnttiL

My guess would be Greensmith level on gravel. Difficult to say about tarmac though.

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No doubt about it that Katsuta has pace, but he is so inconsistent with a lot of crazy mistakes

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Originally Posted by Indreq

Listening to rumors in various estonian sources - it seems that Meeke is as good as gone from TGR after this season and JML has "last warning". If either of them make stupid mistakes and ignore team strategy again, then they may get sacked mid-season.

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Maybe, but who can replace them on short notice?
Lets say after germany for one of them?
Tiedemann, paddon, breen? Østberg?
Rovenpära or katsuta is too early.

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Originally Posted by racerx1979

I agree.. he pushes a lot and makes a lot of mistakes. Lets see how he does in Germany. My guess is he gets beat by a few WRC 2 guys.

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Well, I will agree that Katsuta in a WRC car will be a disappointment in some rounds. However, given his background, he should do reasonably well in Germany and, despite the pressure, very well in 2020 Rally Japan which is the main objective of drafting him into the team this season! For those unfamiliar, he was a leading driver in Japan F3 before following in his father's footsteps by competing in the Japan Rally Championship rallies, which is mainly narrow tarmac.