[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

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Originally Posted by meh

I just can not find the logic why Tänak should go to Hyndai? How do they fit there together with Neuville? One of them must accept to be number 2 in the team. Do not be number 2 in the team was the main reason for Tänak leave M-Sport. I can not see it is going to happen.

... and like always disclaimer for this kind of statements: we probably didn't see Loeb to Hyndai scenario as logical one neither.

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I think money is a factor, either as a wage from Hyundai or using it as a bargaining chip with Toyota. But also, if Hyundai has a new car next season, there's a chance they will be telling stories about how many hours and €€€ they've put into development, and look at our facilities and engineering team etc etc and that could also be an element.

Personally, I don't want it to happen, because having the top three drivers in different teams is good for competition. Reminds me slightly of when Hirvonen went to Citroen, it neutered the fight.

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Originally Posted by tomhlord

Personally, I don't want it to happen, because having the top three drivers in different teams is good for competition. Reminds me slightly of when Hirvonen went to Citroen, it neutered the fight.

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Agree, Hirvonen to Citroen was a perfect case of "buying off" competition so they are no longer a threat.

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Originally Posted by dimviii

for sure all this talk its going to raise his salary for next year.

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I am actually wondering if Hyundai is doing that just make Toyota (or MSport) pay more money for him, knowing fully well it is very unlikely he will go to Hyundai.

Would M-Sport offer Breen to drive Germany? Would Hyundai offer him more drives in order not to go with M-Sport?

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Originally Posted by AnttiL

Would M-Sport offer Breen to drive Germany? Would Hyundai offer him more drives in order not to go with M-Sport?

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Yes to both from me. Probably that's where it stands atm, deciding what's better and/or bargaining with Hyundai (they'd offer GB and he bargains for more (TUR, AUS)).

EDIT: If he does Germany in Fiesta he should have no trouble being fastest Fiesta (beating Suninen) and likely also beating all Hyundais unless they made some big changes since Corsica.

Why would Mads go to London? M-Sport?

Anyone read the Autosport plus article about Toyota / Meeke?.... David Evans and Meeke clearly no longer pals!

M-Sport is a looooong way from London.

There are definitely better ways to get there other than through London.

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Originally Posted by er88

Teams spend months testing for little changes/upgrades, now you're asking to Toyota to radically alter the wing on a car that has been set for years, and is so strong on the aerodynamic front. Not good news and a huge oversight from the FIA here...

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Yep, it looks like another FIA mess but mid season rules ‘clarifications’ aren’t that rare in motorsport; if all the other manus are now convinced that the FIA wrongly approved Toyota’s rear wing, this could be a reasonable way to avoid a nasty WRC crisis (with probes, penalties and appeals). Let’s hope for the best.

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Originally Posted by mknight

Agree, Hirvonen to Citroen was a perfect case of "buying off" competition so they are no longer a threat.

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And so was Latvala to VW. Anyway, I still don’t see Tanak leaving Toyota even if he fails to get the title; he’s performing on a dominant mode with the Yaris (just like Ogier in the Polo years or Loeb back in Citroen golden era), a level which he hardly would be able to reach in Hyundai or MSport. Besides, Toyota has been steadily solving the reliability issues and money is no problem for them to pay whatever Tanak asks. Time will tell.

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Originally Posted by Portimao

Why would Mads go to London? M-Sport?

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Maybe it's the time all of drivers are seeking oportunites especially that ones who don't have drive in WRC squad.

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Originally Posted by T16

Anyone read the Autosport plus article about Toyota / Meeke?.... David Evans and Meeke clearly no longer pals!

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What did say? Or write?