[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

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Originally Posted by AL14

M-sport has at least 1 place available. Toyota has 2. They are the three best driver in the world. I think they all will get a seat.
The problem is for guys like Lappi and Suninen that will struggle to have the chance they deserve next year. These trains don't pass too many times...

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I don't think Makinen is interested in having both Latvala and Mikkelsen.
He is forced to use Hanninen as a full-time driver as he was the development driver.
And the third seat is only part-season, I am pretty sure (and he said it many time in interviews) that he is interested in developing the future star so he will Try Lappi or Suninen

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Originally Posted by Mirek

I bet Toyota has at least two drivers signed already for weeks.

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That excludes Lappi I guess.

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Originally Posted by AL14

M-sport has at least 1 place available. Toyota has 2. They are the three best driver in the world. I think they all will get a seat.

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Mikkelsen and Latvala are third and sixth in the championship in a car that was capable of winning the world title with two events to spare. I don't think it's that clear these two are in the best three.

I don't want to lose them but it would be sad to see their continuation damage the career of upcoming drivers, especially in the case of Latvala who has had his chances when there are two young and fast Finns waiting in the wings.

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Originally Posted by sollitt

Does Seb seem like the charitable type to you?

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Not really, but a deal like this could become very profitable in a not so distant future. Probably, only Toyota will be able to pay Ogier the same, or even more, than the germans did. Like many already said, a one year deal would allow to know if the Yaris can be competitive. For sure Citroen won’t be searching on PSA's not so deep pockets just to get him for one season, that’s why a VW/MSport arrangement may turn quite handy. And since we’re on wild guessing mode, who knows if Detroit won’t give him a wealthy contract extension at the end of ’17…

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

That excludes Lappi I guess.

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Why?

For me its all speculation, nobody has signed anything yet. First they finish season in Australia, after that they will test different cars. Then they decide.

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Originally Posted by CWJ

For me its all speculation, nobody has signed anything yet. First they finish season in Australia, after that they will test different cars. Then they decide.

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I do not think anyone is going to test anything without a contract.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Why?

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Didn't he left Skoda already? They can announce him freely in that case.

No, he is driving for Škoda in Australia where he may become a WRC2 champion. This still doesn't mean anything regarding Toyota except that such possible deal shall not be publicly spoken about.

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Originally Posted by RS

Mikkelsen and Latvala are third and sixth in the championship in a car that was capable of winning the world title with two events to spare. I don't think it's that clear these two are in the best three.

I don't want to lose them but it would be sad to see their continuation damage the career of upcoming drivers, especially in the case of Latvala who has had his chances when there are two young and fast Finns waiting in the wings.

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yeah yeah, I meant "they are among the best" not the best three. :)
Still I think they will all get a seat in a way or another and guys like suninen or lappi should be more worried than them.