We are "realistid" :D Who would have thought that Ott went to Hyundai in 2020? To Ford in 2023? So this would be the "Realistid" Triple ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
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We are "realistid" :D Who would have thought that Ott went to Hyundai in 2020? To Ford in 2023? So this would be the "Realistid" Triple ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
Yes, but Toyota does not need him.
It depends what Ogier or Rovanperä are doing next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
Then it's time to Solberg to shine...Quote:
Originally Posted by trykmann
Toyota seems a relatively stable, happy place.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
I do not think they would want a disrupter like Tanak there.
This!Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
This also has to be considered, that Toyota would like to be also competitive in Rally2. Without Solberg there isn't currently anyone driving Toyota Rally2, who could be able to drive for the title.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
Pajari should be.Quote:
Originally Posted by trykmann
Maybe Katsuta should try to be competitive there. There he could achieve more than he ever will be in WRC
Toyota isnt a factory team in WRC2, Solberg is run by Printsport.
I'm sure a top WRC2 driver would be happy to take his place there. Moving from a Skoda or Citroen wasnt a problem for Solberg.
We can consider Printsport as an unofficial factory team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I struggle to see where Toyota could fit Solberg in unless they expand their line-up again.
Evans and Rovanperä ought to be treated as safe, unless one of them quits voluntarily.
Pajari should be given a second year full-time.
Will Ogier be content to miss out on events again after what‘s shaping up to be a much better title chase than last year? He could retire completely, but I think that‘s unlikely.
Taka has his passport and outstanding speed on at least some events in his favour… maybe he goes part-time? As I said, he has events where he‘s great, and ones where he‘s a non-factor.
On the other hand, if everything stays as is that creates essentially a similar situation to this year, with four cars at minimum spoken for on most events, potentially five.
Meanwhile, Solberg is at least as deserving as Pajari of a full-time opportunity as Pajari was, and in my opinion even more so given his body of work this year. But do Toyota really want to stretch themselves to running six cars at some events?
I‘m discounting the Tänak "rumour" here, because as far as I could see there‘s no actual basis to that other than a surprisingly non-committal answer to what he’s doing in 2026. And as much as I‘d like to see him in a competent, affluent team after six years of hilarious incompetence and general suffering, IMO he’ll either be going farming/focusing on his kids‘ extracurriculars/enjoying family life or sticking it out with Hyundai for one more year (on the off-chance the car finally breaks less frequently than usual).
So the Solberg/Toyota situation has no obvious solution. The easiest/most rational one would be to let Katsuta go completely, but again… passport.
Could M-Sport be an option as a stop-gap, with an eye towards developing the 2027 car? I would assume that the Solbergs would want to see at least some guarantee of development money. Also, was the potential Red Bull/Monster conflict story from last year ever confirmed as being real?
As for Hyundai… I think hell would freeze over before that happened, given how that played out last time around and their own questions on the future.
Katsuta isn't guaranteed in Toyota. Last year he admit, he was on thin line. I think that, if he will not show nothing special in last three rallies, or maybe less, he could be already replaced with Solberg. Unless if he somehow win a rally, but is highly unlikely. Even Japanese will have enough at some point. I think that his best chance would be stepping down in WRC2, making good ad for Rally2 car, try fighting for good results or even win some events or even title there, as he could achieve more and better results as he ever will in WRC. Next Pajari could share a car with Solberg, but we that would only create some competition between those two and could be worse as they would lack seat time both.
As regarding Tanak, I think that Toyota will not persuade him or bring him onboard. He should stay at Hyundai for one more year, then they will leave anyway. He could also start talking to other teams for 2027 and beyond. If some new team comes, he could be valuable for information, what not to do and how to not buld the car haha
Why nobody considers Solberg and someone else running under Toyota Customer Team, created as training/testing/checking format for 2027 customer environment? Solberg needs seat time in that car, not wins directly.
It'd be nice to see Solberg in a ralIy1 for a couple events next year, maybe sharing a car with Pajari. But I don't know that a full season in rally1 next year would even be the best move for Solberg or Pajari. Realistically it's not like either of them will be competing for the championship. If they both do a mix of events in rally1 and rally2 cars, maybe they'd be better prepared than the rest of the guys to adapt to the new cars in 2027
No way Solberg should do rally2 events next year..
He has wrc rally win that tens and tens of drivers dream of.. he has been to big class, dropped from there to wrc2 for couple of years. Now wrc2 title to finish that era..
Toyota will not run more than 5 cars in 2026. Would think Ogier hangs it up or goes back to part time status (especially if he wins the title this year). Rovanpera may be tempted to try a different disciple. And I would guess if Evans loses the title again, there is nothing more for him in Toyota. So, Yaris seats could become available. Oliver gets one for sure.
I just hope there will be some shock movement or smth.
It’s been so boring for the last 6 years and no major movements. Especially the last two years
A lot will depend on whether Ogier wins his 9th title or not.
If he doesn't, he will most likely end his career in perfection and leave the place open for Oliver.
If he wins, he will try to go for his 10th, "feeling the taste of blood".
In this case, Evans will most likely give up his place to Olli.
Next season will be an internal battle at Toyota. M-Sport will probably direct its resources towards the 2027 car, leaving their drivers without updates or testing.
Hyundai is rolling through its last year, already becoming ridiculous. Minimal factory support, zero motivation from staff and drivers.
Sad.
Hyundai seem very keen to become the next Citroën and even they in their final year wracked up 3 wins with that C3….if Hyundai do retire at the end of ‘26 (which lets face it seems more and more likely) I do hope Lancia (& perhaps Dacia?) step up and we’ll get a Toyota vs Lancia Round 2 for those of us who weren’t around in the 80’s ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
Why should Ogier try to win a 10th next year? His ego is big, but not that big.
Ogier- so Ogier leaving, with possible one or two guest appearances
Evans? - what is his insurance being at Toyota next year? He could have good options at MSport.
Katsuta - secures 2026, is my guess. Or swapped to WRC2 is season starts bad.
Kalle? - It´s only himself to decide or motivate what will happen.
Pajari - Forsure one more season secured.
To sum up:
Yes, Oliver has a place at Toyota Rally1 next year. The replacement can be in many ways.
I really don't know anyone who has bigger EGO in current WRC line up than him. And I bet if he gets 9, he needs just 1 more to be better than Loeb. And this has to motivate him because being better in total tiles than Loeb is something he surely wants. So I bet he will drive and will start again with half campaign and if he has a chance, he will do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
What? Guy has been leading the WRC the whole year. How is that not an insurance?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
A better season than last year for sure but nothing special compared to 2022 for example. He had 80 points last year (and he didn't drive in Chilie). This year he has 94.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Let's hope so. Hasn't really done anything do be dropped but in my opinion he hasn't shown anything special also. With the car as good as Toyota, you'd expect better results and stage times. But he only got his 5th stage and 4th this year. 3 of them were from 2025 rally Finland and now in ChileQuote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Difficult decision. Definitely should drive in Rally1.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Ogier has BIG ego, but he must one more year sacrifice all those private thing a man gets avare of, when groving up; family, business, old parents etz. (eg. passing his 40´s)
I would bet on Ogier going for 10 in the final year of Rally1 Cars and possibly doing it the same way, missing a couple of early events he dislikes.
As well as getting the record ahead of Loeb, he'll probably see that the competition will be weaker than this season with Hyundai fading away and his teammates already mentally beaten.
Well, let´s see what happens. One has to take notice of Oliver if he joins he might beat Ogier in every round. Sounds silly, but he already did once. And that might also affects Ogiers decision. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Anything is possible. Ogier could start the year uncommitted and see how Solberg goes (assuming he's in the team) before he decides on a full season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Solberg would certainly be hungry, but is that enough to beat 9x WDC over a year ? I doubt it.
When was that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Ogier wasn't in Estonia this year. ;)
Alright. My bad. Guess I was thinking of Kalle who also was a bit humiliated, head to head. However I do think Ogier will be challenged as never before by Oliver...Quote:
Originally Posted by pedro16
It's a bit strong to extrapolate a WDC from one (amazing) win in Estonia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Of course Solberg is much better, but it's a bit like all the hype about Sesks after his first Rally1 drives.
Don´t agree. Which driver did you see have done like Oliver did, before? I´ve been in this game for more than five decades, so you must remind me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
It was special for sure, but if we’re being completely honest…Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Oliver Solberg: won his first WRC event on his 13th start with a WRC car
Esapekka Lappi: 4th outing
Sébastien Loeb: 10th outing
Juha Kankkunen: 8th outing
I don’t know the older history so from older times I don't know.
All of those also drove, but never won, in a Hyundai. Just saying.Quote:
Originally Posted by flat_right
I think Per has Swedish glasses on saying he can beat Ogier in every event next season, but agree he is a potential future champion. In fact, it was me and Per getting grief here for saying we'd pick him for Rally1 where budget was not an issue. I suppose everybody dishing that grief will credit stepping back to WRC2 helped him win Estonia.
The Accent was never a realistic challenger for a rally win and Juha was well past his prime in 2002.
WRC is all about experience. I really don’t think that if Oliver had joined Toyota in 2021, he would have won in fewer starts than he actually did. Kalle won in his 14th start, and I consider him slightly more talented than Oliver.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
Me neither, I don't think necessarily if he was driving for Toyota manufacturers in Estonia he would have won. It's all pointless comparisons.Quote:
Originally Posted by flat_right
So any news about Ogier? will he compete in the last 3 event?
Yes, Yes. He said it already after Finland, that he is going for title and will compete in all remaining events. Except maybe if there are no chance after Japan, then in that case he wil not do Saudi probably.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1988senna
Well, that was a statement built on wrong memory, but with or without Swedish glasses, he will be a big challenge for any of the top drivers, even Ogier.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
Interesting talk about Tänak and Toyota
https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/...n-mies/9222716