Probably not much bigger than the chances of Ogier staying...Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
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Probably not much bigger than the chances of Ogier staying...Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Higher if Ogier leaves than if he stays.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Probably R5, but not specified.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
The rumors of going to Toyota are pretty strong. If Ford returns, Ogier will most likely go, but has Tänak already made up his mind? If Ford does not return, Ogier's leaving for sure. Wilson could probably afford Tänak as the number one driver, but does he want to stay? Does he also feel the team may get left behind in development like Ogier does?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Riding the train before it derails.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
299 weeks ago an important announcement was made when Ford posted a youtube video.
300 weeks would be nice to see a similar annonuncement
Much lower than Ogier´s staying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I mean Tänak is very close to Toyota deal but Ogier not so close to Citroen deal.
If choices for Ogier are only Fiesta and C3, I seriously hope he will drive Fiesta 2018.
I'm hoping Tanak's long connection with M-Sport and their boss who has given him chances may mean he gives back some loyalty.
Being No.1 driver there should be a nice situation also.
Money may be his priority though.
Connection with Marko Martin is big too.
A bit of a gamble yes, if Fiesta would stay in the competition (development). He had this car made for him and that is what we see this season. It wasn`t made for Ogier and we can see that also.
But money is important, especially when you are a prof. sportsman and can`t keep on doing it forever. He has a family and their future to think about.
exactly, he cant drive forever for nothing.
If remember correctly:Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
-he was sidelined to R5
-he got DMack WRC car and Camilli got Michelin WRC
-Malcolm could not offer him No1 status unless he is sure that Seb leaves
Maybe Ott simply has no time to wait Ogier´s decision or do you believe that Toyota´s offer will be on table forever?
M-Sport fans should prepare for situation that both Sunnier and Tidemand are coming, maybe not for full season though.
-Toyota´s junior R5 program uses MMM-cars (MarkkoMärtinMotorsport)Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
-TGR facilities in Estonia is same location than MMM
-I would call Markko as Ott´s manager.
Agreed. No point even to be world champion if you cannot provide a nice life for your family. It's a short and risky career as a rally driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Take the paycheck Ott no one will blame you. Except maybe Eddie ;)
From what I was told while at Finland and Germany (I was lucky enough to be a part of the Gazoo VIP in Germany) is that Toyota wants Ott over Ogier. I know a bunch of people are going to start getting all fired up over this, but it's what I was told. As I mentioned earlier, Ogier was not all that respectful with Tommi during his test and Tommi was not too fond of his attitude considering the circumstances. Seb wanted boat loads of cash and offered to help Toyota develop the car in return. Apparently this offended a few people at Toyota as it was clear the car was not at full potential and work was in progress. I also heard Seb's manager later contacted Toyota between Finland and Germany, but they (Toyota) did not care.
You also have to realize the Japanese-Finnish bond that takes place within the team. The Finnish (and Estonian) mindset is very similar to that of the Japanese. I don't forsee them bringing in anyone who is way in left field. Hence an all Finnish team currently. Ott or Suninen fit the bill for Toyota.
If four cars are the plan for next year you can bet your a$$ Hanninen will remain. If not, he will be replaced by Ott. If Ott stays at Ford, you might see Suninen, but as others have said he does not have the level of experience that Hannien has. Juho can be the points man like Sordo while Latvala and Lappi are going for title bids.
Each team will have someone new this year from what we all keep hearing. So that means someone will be going to Citroen whether it is Ogier or someone else.
This could all be bullshit as I'm not involved with the Toyota team in any way, but thought I was pass along what I was told. We will find out soon enough if it is true. Would be great :)
Yes, but there is a huge ammount of risk involved in going to Toyota as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
He has now shown he can win with the Fiesta at both surfaces and was involved with the car from the very start. For at least first half of 2018 Fiesta will be able to charge for wins even if development stops completely. Now imagine if he goes to Toyota with only 2 rally wins, the car does not suit him and he constantly ends behind Latvala and is also behind Lappi on every other rally (entirely possible). If this goes on during say 2 years of a contract who will hire him then? But yes you can argue that he could try to make enough money during those years.
Anyway not an easy choice by any means.
And why should he? He's now an elite sportsman - he should be paid, it's not a hobby.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Guy with Ott's passion and self-confidence shouldn't be afraid of his teammates even thought they might know the car little better. When there is paid factory seat open vs minimun paid M-sport seat you really shouldnt hesitate.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
I would bet that one of the Ott's biggest dreams is to become a world champion one day and it's way more likely to happen with Toyota in upcoming years without a bigger support from Ford to M-sport.
Martin did just that, went from event winning car to struggle at Peugeot. (obviously only 1 season to compare but still the change was clear).
If Ogier leaves I'd say Tanak should try to sign 1 year contract with some decent money at M-Sport... or min 3 year contract at Toyota. But it's not like you can pick exactly what you want.
Yes, but Latvala did the opposite...went from a four time team champion and best WRC to Toyota and he`s like a reborn driver. It is tricky, yes, but if Fiesta itself isn`t capable of winning each event next year and stays behind, then there`s nothing more to think about.
If I was Ott I'd take the millions on offer from Toyota, and the fact the car is clearly good as well makes it easier.
However it's worth noting that a lot of drivers have left Msport/Ford and regretted it. The likes of McRae, Hirvonen, Latvala are older examples, although perhaps wanted out before things went stale etc. Tanak is in a similar position now to Marko Martin, Duval and maybe even Neuville. The car perfectly suited those drivers and when they went elsewhere they all struggled. It's taken Thierry like 4/5yrs and 3 different cars to get to this stage in his development. The Yaris is a quality car but that doesn't mean it'll be a car Ott can get the best out of.
Both Tanak and Ogier must be annoyed that Ford aren't returning, because surely both want to stay where they are and build on the success they've had this year. Instead they both will have new cars/teams and will be in a weaker starting position next year compared their rivals like Latvala and Neuville
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Agreed. The ideal situation would be to stay with current teams since the drivers have done a years worth of work. Going to a new team with a new car is like starting all over, but some drivers have a rare talent where they can get back to their level after a few drives.
That car was a struggle itself, wasn't itQuote:
Originally Posted by mknight
And you have to take into account that Toyota is better than everyone expected before the beginning of the season but it has shined only in high speed rallys like Finland and Sweden and even if they set fastest times almost everywhere i20 and Fiesta showed have been more competitive overall.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Said that it is not easy for Tanak to go away from the team who believed in him 3 times when anybody did. A team he knows by heart and a car he developed from the beginning.
Yes 307 wasn't the best car, that said Gronholm got 2 wins that year and was faster than Martin with it on every rally except Monte. Gronholm had 54 stagewins while Martin 5, even with Martin driving 4 rallies less it's quite some difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Don't forget as mentioned earlier, Martin did his first season in the 307...which unfortunately became his last, and he wasn't quite familiar with the team as Marcus was there for the last 6 seasons. If you want an indication of Martin's Poor/Good performance (depending on your point of view) look at Gronholm's first season in the 307 when it was run with the Michelin tires mind you...but that might give a better indication.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
To be fair though, that Peugeot was a complete disaster.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
I understand why he went there because from the performances of previous years (and previous car which they should have stayed with) the decision was entirely logical.
No, I wouldnt blame Tanak for going to Toyota, its his career and he should make the most of it (financially, as well as in success).
I am just hoping as a fan that he stays, as it will be good for M-Sport. And as has been said Tanak has already won in the Fiesta and might not be so happy in a Yaris.
But a lot might depend on whether there's a rule change to 4-car teams in 2018.
Why can't Malcolm pay him? Neither Malcolm or M-Sport are short of money.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
malcom paying someone to drive ???? hmmmmmm....Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
https://i.imgur.com/Y9DgoJC.gif
If Ogier goes to Citroen i also hope Tanak stays at M-sport. He wil be the nr1 driver, and that way the Fiesta can still win rally's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
if they lose both Ogier and tanak, M-sport's future is not so bright i think.
I hope the 4 car rule come's trough, would salve all driver line up problems.
Like I said in another thread, now that Hyundai signed Mikkelsen, the four car rule won't change anything for the title contenders, it would just give seats to newcomers like Suninen or Tidemand, or save the careers of the likes of Hänninen and Lefebvre.Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
I also dont think MW will allow M-Sport to go back to being 'also-rans' in the WRC and will do everything he can to have a top driver in his car next year.
If Ogier & Tanak leave maybe he will find a way to bring in a decent replacement...
Maybe Evans could have some issues being a squad leading driver (like Meeke is having), but looking at his performance this year anyone can hope he’s ready to start winning and becoming a top contender.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
For sure the ’17 Fiesta is much more competitive and DMack tyres are improving all the time, but with the same 3 events to go, last year Tanak was only 9th with 53 pts on DMack’s car, while Evans is now 6th with 87 pts. Also at the same point, Tanak had 3 offs (2 of them resulted in retirements) and Evans has only 2 (with 0 retirements). They’re only equal on SS's wins: 17 for both. Besides, in ’16 Tanak almost won in Poland and got another P2 in Wales, while Evans was close to win in Argentina and has already another P2, in Finland. Who knows, maybe he’ll do better than Tanak did in Wales…fingers crossed!
There's a rumor Ford's coming backQuote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
http://i.imgur.com/vuQ1Qzl.gif
I've heard this rumor too...
Of course you can question how well these rumors are funded, where they come from... There were similar rumors in the last couple of years as well. We've seen more people here posting rumors that were probably just made-up by someone.
Rumours indeed... but if Ford are going to come back, now is far more likely than it ever was before.
If they dont come back now they never will...
If Ogier stays a M-Sport/Ford it's RIP Citroen. Bare some Loeb miracle happens.