nice views but that was it. Sunday stages were quite okay, especially power stage
but i hope Croatia will be back instead of this.
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nice views but that was it. Sunday stages were quite okay, especially power stage
but i hope Croatia will be back instead of this.
Croatia will be back next year but Canary Islands are signed for a 2 year deal (the idea being back at the time to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary). The tarmac rally that will leave us next year is CER (as that contract expires this year), I highly doubt they’ll keep all 3, only hopes of this being replaced is in 2027.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Dominant performance by Kalle. But Evans did what he was supposed to do. Portugal will be very interesting: last year Evans was struggling a lot when he was in the road opening positions on gravel, and when the pressure was on him. Maybe he'll get lucky again with the weather, but a lot will depend on how fast will Kalle be.
Hopefully Neuville and Tanak will drive a Rally1 car in the gravel events and not a Rally1,5.
ehhh, that was weird. i mean, part time, not winning the round. just swap positions, evans is in contention for real this year. idk... idk... but im also not a fan when hyundai does that haha im confused with my own opinions on thatQuote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I guess team orders in favour of Elfyn would be positive for Evans championship attempt but would also be negative for Rovanpera’s championship challenge. So not fair to apply them at this point when Rovanpera is still in the mix.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
What made it worse was Ogier took 2 points off Evans by less than a second on the final stage. But then there's no splits in the car so it wouldn't be so easy to judge.
Plus with Hyundai and Ford being lightyears behind, I doubt Toyota is worrying too much about them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigalstosh99
It may be harsh, but unfair? No.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
The chassis balance can be compensated for a lot on gravel and you can hide it on tarmac with lots of cutting and square corners etc, but the Puma has been ruthlessly exposed here. I agree that this is probably the worst case scenario for them, but the car is now in it’s 4th season and the same traits that were evident in the first public test, are still there now.
I want them to be up the front fighting, but MSport have to be honest with themselves before they start blaming the drivers.
Kalle was amazing this weekend, I’m not often left speechless by someone, but his speed this weekend was unbelievable, even Ogier was laughing about it in the end.
Evans did all he needed to, not on the pace of Kalle or Seb so just did his job and bagged 3rd with good points. Tougher tests ahead on gravel being first on the road, but he should be worried about Kalle finding that kind of form.
Hyundai clearly have found a bit of downgrade with the upgraded car on tarmac. Fourmaux can be pleased he outran the other 2, even on the power stage when they had a go.
Ford. The best that can be said is that on gravel the car is better and the road position should give them some hope. Being beaten on pace by Rally2 cars, is not acceptable.