VW News 2012 & WRC 2013

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Originally Posted by Plan9

I think Haninnen would turn down VW for Ford if the money was right. It must be frustrating to know you are the best driver that Skoda has but actually find that lesser drivers are being favoured as I am sure Kopecy is. Further, who knows how long it will take for VW to be on the pace, I for one don't think Haninnen will wait forever to win things.

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Hänninen is in SWRC because this is the only way to go in WRC events with current Škoda machinery. Originally it wasn't planned to put him in IRC except several high profile events such as Monte Carlo but that changed and he is fighting for both championships now (seems like they see Kopecký can't win the title). He won't do all rounds but none of IRC regulars does all of them either. Besides that Juho always wanted to go to WRC, so I don't think he feels any problem with driving in SWRC. And by the way he always says he wants to drive every possible rally so I don't see any problem for him in driving double portion :)

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Originally Posted by MJW

The falling out wasnt with Skoda, it was with Rene Georges who was running the Skoda

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Well there we go :) Nasser didn't tell me the whole story but that's what I understood at the time!

Can anyone, on another note tell me what drivers/plans VW have for this year? They're choosing who? to drive S2000 Fabias for testing and when??

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Originally Posted by Plan9

I'm not sure Haninnen would want to stay at VAG after the way he's been messed around in the IRC/SWRC mess.

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It is Hanninens own chooise to do (7 rallies in) SWRC plus as many as can be done logistical and humanly in IRC. So why and by who is he messed? Skoda/VW have arranged Hanninen and Grassner in SWRC to gain data, as representatives of VAG

Finnish News Agency STT interviewed Hänninen today prior to Acropolis, pressing him with questions concerning possible VW deal. He keeps saying that it is driving and results that matters the most and he will keep continue concentrating on them. There has been no talks with VW, but he is sure they know his name. "Skoda and VW link does no harm to me, but in the end it's about driving results." Hänninen's current deal with Skoda ends this year, but he says it's not ruled out that he would continue with Skoda in 2012: "They'll propably have some kind of program for 2012 and continueing with the team would be good."

Is it possible for Mikkelsen to get a driverseat in WV too? He have the speed :eek:

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Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Can anyone, on another note tell me what drivers/plans VW have for this year? They're choosing who? to drive S2000 Fabias for testing and when??

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5 events (Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Wales)
with 3 cars in all (Fabia S2000)
Nasser + "pro driver" + "young gun" and those 2 can also be other than local drivers!

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Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Finnish News Agency STT interviewed Hänninen today prior to Acropolis, pressing him with questions concerning possible VW deal. He keeps saying that it is driving and results that matters the most and he will keep continue concentrating on them. There has been no talks with VW, but he is sure they know his name. "Skoda and VW link does no harm to me, but in the end it's about driving results." Hänninen's current deal with Skoda ends this year, but he says it's not ruled out that he would continue with Skoda in 2012: "They'll propably have some kind of program for 2012 and continueing with the team would be good."

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He told me the same yesterday! :)

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Originally Posted by pantealex

5 events (Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Wales)
with 3 cars in all (Fabia S2000)
Nasser + "pro driver" + "young gun" and those 2 can also be other than local drivers!

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What kind of "Pro Driver" are they talking about? IRC Champion, WRC Champion (Sainz? :D ) F1 driver? It could mean anything with ze Germans?? DTM?? ;)

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Originally Posted by alleskids

It is Hanninens own chooise to do (7 rallies in) SWRC plus as many as can be done logistical and humanly in IRC. So why and by who is he messed? Skoda/VW have arranged Hanninen and Grassner in SWRC to gain data, as representatives of VAG

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Maybe a bit for SWRC although Skoda will be the boss about it because they are paying the whole stuff (or maybe Redbull also a bit for SWRC) . For IRC like Mirek says a classic like Monte Carlo. Yalta was because of local importer but Azores seems now be a possibility too because it's gravel and they don't see Kopecky winning I think and Barum offcourse there home country they don't want to lose there and maybe more if they see Kopecky will not win title. I don't think they really care much about Loix because he's more of a BFO driver then a Skoda driver.

I think that Juho will do those 7 events which counts. Now he has already 3 (Monte, Canarias, Yalta), than maybe Acores, sure Barum. So at least two more needed from the five others (Madeira, Mecsek, Sanremo, Cyprus, Scotland).