Loeb will announce 2019 program this wednesday.
Maybe some M-Sport news too.
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Loeb will announce 2019 program this wednesday.
Maybe some M-Sport news too.
That's quite fast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Anyway, while I heard about Msport rumors I just can't see why.
He is still PSA driver and Citroen have C3 seat free. If Al Quassimi money stays (which it sounded like when they talked to him in Spain) then surely Loeb is a worth the money.
Literally the only reason I could see for Loeb going to M-Sport would be some kind of deal between Red Bull/WRC Promoter and M-Sport to get him there to help Malcolm out of a tough spot, but even that seems highly unlikely... Unlike Ogier, I've not seen anything to say that Loeb is particularly interested in working personally with Malcolm, and there seems to be no problem between Loeb and PSA/Budar, so why would he go?
Loeb won't be going to Msport.
Yeah he said in an interview last season he could jump into the Hyundai and be fast right away as it reminded him of the Polo, whereas the C3 was totally different from a driving perspective (this was to explain his chronic lack of speed in Sardinia and his struggles to adjust to the car).Quote:
Originally Posted by wrc2017
He couldn't drive the c3 at all on gravel, and his comments about being at home in the Hyundai right away seemed true, when he was on the pace instantly on the gravel in Spain and Australia (albeit with cleaning), and competitive in Wales.
This season however has been a nightmare considering he had aims to be world champion, and his arrival at Hyundai relegated Sordo and Paddon to half seasons. So you'd expect him to be a level above and at least 40/50pts closer to Thierry.
He has to start well next season and I hope he does, because I'd like to see Hyundai finally win a championship. They've been a great addition to the sport and are a proper, proper team.
On Sardinia he drove the C3 basically without test (did a few kms in France only). In Poland he was faster than Breen, same speed as Lefevbre and did the first ever Power Stage points for C3 on gravel. Note that this was at the time where 1st (Meeke) and 3rd (Breen) from Finland 2016 ended 5th (Breen) and 8th (Meeke) on Finland 2018. Seemingly a lot has changed with C3 since then.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
As for aiming to be world champion, well when drivers win a few rallies it's really the only possible next goal. Nobody will really aim to be a "good number 2" or something like that. That's why Paddon is saying the same as well, so did Meeke just recently.
So far he has not shown enough consistency over a whole season to do it, just like Latvala. In 2016 he was better at consistency+speed than Latvala, but still nowhere near the Ogier/Loeb-machine levels. Only Neuville is really approaching that and only this year, Tanak is not yet there either.
Loeb praised Ogier, that i is a miracle he is up there with the slowest machinery this season. Does that sound like something tempting for a 9x champion having fun?:D
Talking about consistency, then Ogier has done a lot of mistakes compared to his closest rivals.
Compared to Neuville this year yes. Last year he won the title basically only on consistency.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
Like Ogier before signed.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Greensmith just posted this pic on twitter, testing the Fiesta it seems...maybe having some rallies in 2019?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqwBkBdXQAEi5wq.jpg
https://twitter.com/GreensmithGus/st...21736977043457
He seems to have notable financial backing and M-Sport surely needs customers. Sounds like a match. And even better that Greensmith can actually drive a little...Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Well more than Serderidis but not as much as Evans, you know...
Oh yes, but I'm afraid the latter is not in the same category with the other two. Unfortunately.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Msport was one of three options as soon as VW pulled out. Then it more or less became the only genuine option for Ogier other than retirement, after the underwhelming Toyota test and with Citroen showing little interest, and not even allowing him to test.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
This situation with Loeb isn't similar. You've had Linda Jackson saying he'll be doing something with PSA next year and Loeb himself was asked if he was to be driving next year in WRC, what team that would be for - and he looked at his Citroen racing overalls and laughed like it was a stupid question.
Either you're living in fantasy land or you've heard something exciting and really surprising that you could maybe share with us ;).
Lets said that where is smoke have fire too ;)
All very cryptic! Do you know something?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Since it's called "silly season"... What if Loeb surprises everyone and is going to Hyundai? :D
Citroen has reopened the door to running a third car in the 2019 World Rally Championship, meaning Sebastien Loeb or Craig Breen could remain in its line-up.
When Citroen announced Sebastien*Ogier*and Esapekka Lappi as its WRC line-up, it suggested there would be no third C3.
It went into this season intending to field Kris Meeke full-time, with Breen and Loeb sharing the second car and team backer Khalid Al-Qassimi making occasional appearances in a third entry.
Mads Ostberg then secured a part-time deal with the team too, with his role expanded after Meeke was dismissed.
Citroen CEO Linda Jackson told Autosport a third car for 2019 was now a serious possibility as the team chased its first manufacturers' title since '12.
"We are currently in discussion with our partners about a possible third car," Jackson told Autosport.
"We're looking at it. The car has proved itself and the combination of the car and the new drivers are going to give us success.
"We think we can win the championship. Let's be honest, you wouldn't take one of the best drivers and not want to win."
Loeb had committed his future to the World Rallycross Championship with Citroen's PSA sister brand Peugeot, only for it to pull out of RX earlier this month.
Loeb then won Rally Spain on the last outing of his three-round WRC comeback programme with Citroen, and admitted it made him more interested in continuing into 2019 - though strictly on a part-time basis.
Jackson hinted that the ball was now in Loeb's court.
"Sebastien is part of the PSA family and obviously lots of discussions are being had," said Jackson.
"I can't really comment, that would be unfair to talk about what he does or doesn't want to do.
"He's part of the family and I'm sure there will be something that Sebastien wants to do and that will help us.
"There's lots on the table and we wait for Sebastien to give us his choice."
Breen had seemed unlikely to continue with Citroen once Ogier and Lappi were announced, but may now get a lifeline if the third car goes ahead.
Asked about Breen's chance of a 2019 Citroen seat, Jackson replied: "Craig is looking at his future and I'm sure there will be something coming out for Craig.
"Craig is doing a fantastic job for us right now and if there is a third car, he'll be in the mix for that."
Jackson also confirmed Citroen is committed to the WRC for the next two seasons - the duration of Ogier's contract.
If you really want to be silly, perhaps he will drive a season of wrc2 in the VW next to petter solberg.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
here's my two cents regarding Loeb's possible future in wrc
he's been a driver and ambassador for Citroen over the years and he's in the PSA family, he's accustomed to the culture and i'm sure has many friends there. They have been through good times (well great times) together and bad times together, they have won together and lost together, they have had differences and overcame those. I'd be very surprised to see Loeb drive in WRC 2019 for anyone but Citroen, not saying its impossible, but very very very very unlikely. On a side note, when we speak of Loeb and a possible 2019 WRC drive, we tend to not mention Elena, but it seems Elena is also at home at Citroen and i'm sure as Loeb's #1 choice of co-driver, that must also come into the equation. It makes little sense to change a formula that is working so well for them from 2002 till now.
Even with Ogier as the #1 drive now at Citroen, it makes no difference to Loeb, who is no longer interested in a full time drive, so no longer a direct competitor and may actually help Ogier and Citroen's chances of getting both titles in 2019 depending on the scenario (i understand there could be a problem if the 3 of them fight for the same victory on specific rallies, but management will need to be clear on the "team directive" in such instances). Furthermore, it appears the past is in the past for them, as they (Loeb & Ogier) seem to get along quite well for a while now---last i saw, Ogier jumped on to the Citroen c3 rooftop to celebrate with Loeb/Elena after Loeb won Catalunya a short while ago. Of recent, it just seems the media is sometimes looking to create a "feud" to make headlines, where there is really none, but then again that what sells and attracts some viewers/supporters
so its really in Loeb's court now what he wants to do
if Malcolm can pay Loeb he would keep Ogier.This about Loeb -Ford ''rumors''
About Citroen with the duo Loeb Ogier,its not an easy task.
If Loeb is in front of Ogier at some rallies,what will do? If he has to back off,why to enter this situation? i dont think that he is looking for something like that.
If Loeb goes for the win,why Ogier to have an inside strong championship contenter against Neuville-Tanak etc?
Seb Loeb Racing does use VW TCR cars in WTCR! So, confirmed then?:DQuote:
Originally Posted by denkimi
Even though the two Sebs are all smiles now, I still find it hard to imagine them both working well in the same team, unless Loeb agrees not to fight for victory if Ogier is also in the podium positions. But, would he want to do that? Not sure.
Looking at the Sebs bromance currently, if i were Lappi i would start to wonder if it was a smart move to go at citroen... Hypotetical situation, but both Sebs driving for citroen, having good results, french drivers in a french team, i can see lappi easily be side tracked... In my opinion he will need to be fast and consistent from the very beginning of the season to avoid becoming a part time driver. And people saying "he has a contract, full time drive, blablabla", well if we have learn something the last 2 seasons, is that contract means nothing!
Loeb confirmed for Dakar 2019 in a private PH Sport Peugeot. Dakar ends now two days earlier than this year so it would be possible to do Monte as well?
Contract means whatever is written in it.Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderem
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...-loeb-for-2019
I can't believe the amount of completely absurd rumors floating around the forums and media during this silly season. First it was Meeke to Toyota and now this.
Malcolm would be silly not to at least talk to him, glad it's public knowledge that they are trying. Still can't help but think that Loeb with either be a) too expensive or b) committed to PSA for his entire career.
Funny, that there aren`t any rumours about Mäkinens 4th car for retired champions and Katsuta.:D
But to make it plausible (Loeb to M-sport), they would have to offer him a much better car than Citroen could ever be next season.
So it seems impossible.Quote:
Originally Posted by tarmop
He would get the car upgrades, the other M-Sport drivers won't. Just like in 2018 with Ogier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
Upgrades are quite cheap compared to making/ fine-tuning them.
The positive in the story is M-Sport looking ahead for driver's in 2019 after the recent rumour of them pulling out.
Didn't Loeb just refer to Fiesta as "not the best car" when talking about Ogier's season? It's hard to see what there would be for Loeb to gain in that scenario.
Malcolm offered test to prove. Maybe the test allready happened ;)
That big M-Sport test facility is certainly well shrouded.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Wonder, how much money he would bring. Reigning champion probably brought what he could, including RB, but a 9x champ. and a legend...especially Ford Performance and maybe Abu Dhabi?
I read that Katsuta is already confirmed for a few rounds in 4th car.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
Are you saying it did or not?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira