it's just a speculation i made,it doesn't mean it's true.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
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it's just a speculation i made,it doesn't mean it's true.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Everybody speculates Neuville to Citroen but I really don`t see the reason why he would be attracted to Citroen other than money, providing M-sport gets proper funding. The Fiesta seems to be on par with Citroen on any surface if not even better on some gravel events(like in Finland). Also the fact that Citroen is concentrating the efforts on circuit racing should make it less attractive I think, unless they already can say it will be Peugeot in the future and promise extensive testing etc. Which looking at PSA:s financial situation is doubtful.
VW is out of the question and Hyundai won`t probably be as competitive as VW in it`s first year. But we`ll see
I have always believed that Neuville's drive this season is basically funded by Nasser/Qatar. If Qatar stays onboard for next year too (AFAIK it will), I don't see any reason why Neuville would leave M-Sport.
I would personally like Neuville to stay in Ford.
probably Kubica with full programm at Citroen for 2014...Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Me too, and think that Al-Attiyah will secure him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
I remember reading (in Motorsport News I think) that Al-Attiyah will only continue to sponsor M-Sport with the guarantee that Neuville stays. Or at least it's a key point to the Qatar backing remaining. It would also make sense that Neuville wouldn't stay if M-Sport loses the Qatar sponsorship (unless they can make up for it with another sponsorship deal).Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
So if Qatar backs off from M-Sport, they will just get back to being a rental company like they were in 2011? Isn't it somehow the case already with the talks during this half of the season about Östberg having to pay for his rallies?
M-Sport has been a rental company ever since Ford withdraw. The three team "mates" (Neuville, Ostberg, Novikov) are all rental customers in 2013, without any obligations to each other...
Neuville visiting a few places around Europe this week apparently.............
If I understand right Tänak is planning to drive 7 races in wrc2 2014.
http://sport.postimees.ee/2442476/tanak ... b-kova-too
http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... b-kova-too
Colin Clark's twitter page states a French rally site is reporting the Neuville has visited Hyundai WRC HQ already this week.
Not surprising as the guy is the hottest property around. It isn't hard to imagine that he has 4 offers on the table - VW as Team 2 leader, M-Sport with Nasser's cash, Hyundai - it would have to be undisputed No 1 to tempt him there I'd think; and finally (probably the least attractive) Citroen.Quote:
Originally Posted by turves
I'd like to see him in a Polo as that would be a great contest with the new WDC.
good :)Quote:
Originally Posted by HarriK
If Hyundai are serious contenders, he would do well to go there and build a team around him. Not sure quite what is happening with Citroen, but cant see him going to VW somehow. You're right though, he is the hottest property out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mintexmemory
There have been a few drivers over the last few years who have jumped out of a quick Ford for a bigger pay cheque and their results have declined;
Duval - Citroen
Martin - Peugeot
Latvala - VW
I hope we don't add Neuville - Hyundai to that list.
VW said they will keep their three drivers for next year. Citroen are moving all their skilled engineers to the circuit project. Hyunday is a new team. Neuville will be the idiot of the century if he leave Ford.
+1!Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowSon
Its no other options if he want to give ogier a real fight, Citroën should be the option, but i fear theire focus is somewhere else...
If Qatar/Msport/neuville can give ogier/vw a real fight next year, it is very good for wrc's reputation.
Yes, the work is going on. Two third of the season fundig is basically covered. Plan is to use R5 car, manufacturer is not sure yet. Some of the sponsorship comes outside Estonia.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarriK
Also Kruuda plans to start in WRC2 starting in Sweden.
Does anybody know if Sardinia wil host next year's WRC rally again? There were some roumors about a move to San Remo for next year?
Hope it wil stil be Sardinia, been there twice, nice rally!
Hyundai does have the budget to grow into a serious contender. I do not like to here that they are now developing a car that wil be replaced in 2015 by an other model. First years as learnig, than go for the championship it seems.Quote:
Originally Posted by turves
So maybe best for Thierry to stay at Ford for at least one more year, hope for more good results and hopefully some wins (hoping to atract Ford to become Factory team again) and than see what 2015 brings. By than we might know what the plans of Ford, PSA group, are, and we will know what Hyundai is worth, and who knows maybe by than Toyota is back in buisines.
Unlikely given the Italian round is in May/June again. If they switched it to Sanremo there would be a lot of reshuffling to do to fit it in October (any other time of the year is sacrilege) which would no doubt involve moving either Rallye de France or Rally de Catalunya into the spring/summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
Personally I'd like to see Sanremo back as the Italian round of the WRC and Rally Mille Miglia taking Sanremo's place in ERC, but none of that fantasy is likely to happen any time soon :(
2014 Italian round is 100% confirmed to be in Sardinia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
And rumors about Sanremo? There were rumors about moving the rally to the North-East regions, Sanremo is not even in consideration for a WRC round since a long time, it won't come back any time soon, unless miracles. I guess there were rumors by fans, since it's still a very popular event. Every year in Italy there are rumors about moving location for the WRC round, between Sardinia, North-East, Tuscany and Sanremo, but it's almost always fan-talking.
Erechim Rally, in the south of Brazil, will probably be a candidate event in 2014. They have the best rally in the country and one of the best in the hole South America, I'd say the same level as the Rally Argentina event.
Paulo Nobre is a huge defender of the event, and rumours says that he is directly involved in this project. They've got the support of Minister of Sport of Brazil, and theres already a sports management company working to get things done.
From Colin Clark's twitter:
1. "More interesting news about Robert Kubica this morning. Rumour is he’s close to a deal with M-Sport for full season in WRC car in 2014".
2. "Hearing some very interesting news about who could partner Kubica at M-Sport next year. Kinda blows some of my other ideas outa the water".
So who can be that guy? - my guess is Hayden Paddon.
Sordo:-)?
Paddon could be 3rd 4th driver but not 1st.
Kubica OK for 2nd but nor 1st yet
If not Neuville then no winning driver in the team next year
Next year a learning curve for Hunday they said so it's a lost year for Neuville if he go there.
At Citroen who know what will happen on midterm if 30% PSA shares goes to China.
So practically Neuville has not so much good choice for next year
If Msport already discussing with the drivers about 2014 then a financial background seems OK, means Nasser remains at the team (and Neuville)
At least Timo Jouhki(Latvalas and Hirvonens manager if someone didn`t know...) said in Vauhdin Maailma magazine that M-sport already is clear for next year. But of course under what circumstances wasn`t mentioned. Also as someone already said here Hirvonen is in discussions with M-sport but can`t understand why they would want him unless he brings money..
What do you mean 'is clear for next year'? They are not retaining any drivers?
He wrote M-sport are clear as a team for the championship 2014, which presumably they have a budget in place, who will drive is a different thing..
He wrote M-sport are clear as a team for the championship 2014, which means presumably they have a budget in place, who will drive is a different thing..
he brings money from personal sponsors.Quote:
Originally Posted by AMSS
Or clear who is going to be in the team next year?Quote:
Originally Posted by AMSS
Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
If M-sport is clear for next year, then both budget and drivers is secured.
This summer MW said that they needed neuville to get funding fra Qatar. They also wanted østberg too continue, so this have to mean that neuville and Mads is in the team, and Qatar is main sponsor! This is good!
Neuville is at a trip around europe to see what the other teams has to offer, if you got an offer from the other team is smart to meet them and say: Sorry, i got a 1 yr deal, but maybe we can meet again in one yr? Smart and polite, and he is probly even hotter next year too;)
Meeke talks about the rejection from Citroen:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 63375.html
Mikko might be back at M Sport. Hyundai don't see the value there.
They probably don't. However I still feel Mikko has a place in the WRC. He is still the best No.2 driver out there despite having a rough season this year. In the last 8 years he's come 2nd four times, 3rd twice, and has had 2 seasons of poor results (including this one). That's not a bad record for a guy that everyone consistantly has digs at.Quote:
Originally Posted by litifeta
He's not going to be world champion, but he can bring loads of points for any team. I think being at Citroen has taken his fighting spirt away, he seemed much happier at Ford and I really hope he's in a Fiesta next year. Neuville would be able to scrap with Ogier, and Mikko can pick up the pieces, and on the odd occassion (Sweden, Finland, Greece, GB) can fight for wins. Perfect team.
Sardegna is confirmed on the calendar 2014, but one week later! :mad:
My holyday at work was allready arranged...