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+ Gus said in DF interview that they are waiting for a certain person to make his decision...Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
As I wrote before.. Evans deciding between Ford and Hyundai?
Can't think of any other driver to make one's mind about a team.
It's one thing to say Neuville has more influence as he has been there a long time. And I can definitely see him calling driver shots now that they don't have a team leader.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
But to say Neuville called the shots when Adamo was there is a bit much. I can see there being a conflict which ultimately lead to Adamo leaving but I doubt Neuville was leading the team from the shadow.
And to say he decides what setups the drivers to use... Maybe he is also telling Tanak the 2019 WDC what setup to put and also when to go to the bathroom...
The market doesn't wait for someone like Evans, not after the year he's had with the new cars. It's more like waiting on Tanak's decision of how many rallies and for which team he drives next year. To borrow a phrase, he's the only big dog that needs to decide something, the rest will fall into place as needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
To be clearQuote:
Originally Posted by seb_sh
I didn’t say or confirm those things. Just wrote what Ott himself has said which relates to this what that user wrote
A hint for youQuote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
He is a Estonian.
gotcha, wanted to explain what i wanted backed up, certain things are clear for anyone but i think there was some creative writing involved by the other user ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
You'd be surprised... I know it's a cop out to just say 'trust me', but one day the full story will come out and I guarantee people won't quite believe what's gone on!Quote:
Originally Posted by seb_sh
I've heard similar stuff but since it was from estonian source I disregarded this information and classified as biased and did not thought about it more. The origins from this rumour came from very prominent estonian rallying character (yes estonians have seen him and actually seeing him right now on TV :D)Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
Does anyone know which driver's contracts expire at the end of the season?
Dietrich Mateschitz died today 78 years old. Rest in piece. It's amazing how much he did for motorsport.
Let's hope that Red Bull will continue with support of motorsport after his departure.
For comparable perspective, note that Ogier was directly asked who he wanted as his teammate when signing for Toyota at end of 2019 (besides Rovanpera). Drivers that were available and have at least won a rally before: Latvala, Meeke, Lappi, Mikkelsen, Evans.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
He picked Evans, who at that time had pretty much mediocre results with only one win due to DMACK tires. During 2 years in same car at MSport he basically never was any threat to Ogier. While Latvala, Lappi and Mikkelsen all beat Ogier in same car on multiple rallies (Lappi even that same year) and Meeke did it in different car.
The official explanation was that he had good working relationship with Evans.
Imo the simpler is explanation was that Evans did not seem like any threat to Ogier. (As a side note Evans wasn't particularly stable driver at that time, especially his 2018 season was horrible).
I have no idea if any rumors about Neuville are true. But drivers pushing what is best for them even at expense of the team (and openly) is not anything new.
Evans then had his best 2 seasons so far…I Guess he still thinks about the snow at rally di MonzaQuote:
Originally Posted by mknight
I thought Evans was signed before Ogier. Ogier’s seat was just suddenly opened by Tänak
If Evans goes to MSport, there is no pressure in Toyota team to find replacement for him. Ogier hints that he might want to do a full season next, and they have Lappi.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
So in a estonian podcast there was an intrrview with Toomas Järveoja, and from that interview you can read out pretty clearly that Ott and Martin will be driving an hyundai next season.
And then there is Ott on Thursday vs todayQuote:
Originally Posted by Rallyest
Thursday's Ott when asked about where will he drive next year?. Ott (looking at his Hyundai t-shirt): In the same team where we are currently.
Today: When we will hear about the future - "We'll see what the time brings".
However, when Ott and this guy Jaan Martinson are talking, it is really hard to listen to it as Ott clearly has something with him as everything is very laconic. I really hope, when everything is finally made public, then someone from inside would give some details what was this all about... Were there talks with all the teams, were there any realistic talks about retiring...
I mean where else could they go? Its Hyundai or home.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyest
There are some other options. As Gus said "everyone's waiting for a particular person to decide where he wants to go".Quote:
Originally Posted by Tauri_J
ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️
I would like to announce that I have decided to end our contractual agreement with Hyundai Motorsport and leave the team at the end of the current WRC season.
This is a personal decision and one that I have taken with careful consideration and respect for the team. However, I feel that I am at a stage of my career where I need to embark on a new challenge.
We have had a good partnership over the past three seasons, and I am proud of what we have achieved. We have worked hard together to overcome some difficult moments, and as we’ve shown this year we have moved in the right direction. The second part of this season has shown the performance level we can achieve when things click, but for me the time has come for something new. I thank the team for its understanding and wish them all well.
See you soon in Japan,
Ott
Wow ... what a bombshell
Let’s see what happens now but it’s a big hit for Hyundai; they still have Neuville for next year but it could fasten their withdrawal to the end of 2024 or something like that.
Hope it’s more to go to M-Sport than Toyota.
Let’s see what Hyundai will do but really complicated to assemble something efficient in my mind... maybe a sort of mix with Mikkelsen, Suninen, Breen and Sordo to help Neuville.
Yes, totally hope for MSport. Sure Hyundai will definitely be weaker (though maybe they get Evans), but even weaker they should still be thereabouts. MSport was mostly absent for 4 years now.
This lasted long. LolQuote:
Originally Posted by Rallyest
Like user Cali said, you can never believe what Ott says about his future
Lol he totally lied. Sneaky Ott
So at Japan Toyota will announce the lost son is coming back?
Care to share some information? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Noone considers that Ott might end his career after this season, which is highly possible im afraid.
I think he would have said it already in the press release todayQuote:
Originally Posted by bugwrx
wtf bombshell to end the week..
As much as I hope him to continue.. such awkwardly timed announcement seems other way..
He is talking about «*new challenge*» and «*something new*» which does not sound like a retirement (even if technically, Toyota or M-Sport are not new for him).Quote:
Originally Posted by bugwrx
And to break a clause, normally, there is a financial counterpart (as Ogier in 2019) and I don’t think Tanak would have take a decision like this (by bypassing Hyundai communication) without some financial support; I think communication would have been different for a retirement (but it’s only my view).
Or a new category but sounds doubtful considering his background.
More time with his family next year and some selected rallies with Msport would be my guess.
What a bombshell. I totally believed Ott when he was saying he would stay in Hyundai.
Now, will it be Toyota, M-Sport or retirement? My bet is on Toyota, which means Evans would go, unless they plan to run Rovanpera-Tanak-Evans, which would be quite an overkill to the manufacturer championship. But I don't see that happening.
My bet is the same. Evans and Tänak will swap placesQuote:
Originally Posted by focus206
Hyundai should now try and get ogier to drive for them. Or rovanpera.
Hyundai is finishedQuote:
Originally Posted by denkimi
What a surprise, but everything is possible with Tänak! Hopefully it´s not Toyota, because it would be total domination next year and Hyundai would definetely withdraw, because they are not able to win anymore. Only good thing would be to see Kalle & Ott battle with the same car and that could be Ott´s aim, because he knew that it will never happen with Hyundai.
I wonder if it was decided during this weekend? As on Thursday he clearly said he will be driving Hyundai next year + multiple times saying that they need to get the car ready for next year.
And to be honest, as a fan of Ott, I'm relieved that he left. One more year hearing that he can't trust the car etc would have been devastating. Going to Toyota would be a dream come true, but if he'll drive a Ford, I'll be happy also. I think it is a good and drivable car + it will be a full circle in a way as he will probably end his career with Malcolm who gave him the possibility to develop and crash a car or two along the way.
Something had changed this morning, remember how he took the blame for not figuring out the car
I mean if Sordo and Neuville can do faster times, it is because of the driver then. If Ott would have been the best Hyundai, then he would have had the right to say that I can't do more.Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
Even if he retires, I’m still happy for this decision. It was wrong since the start and hasn’t worked both ways
The only thing weird for me is the timing of this press release.
Usually this are done afternoon during workdays
Yeah, more respectful to quit career than to quit a job.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC