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Can you explain that further? I think it's a win-win situation. Loeb gets some WRC drives (which Citroen couldn't offer, nor would Toyota, not to mention M-Sport) and Hyundai gets crucial support in winning the manufacturers title.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
Ok, I've read it the article better and before I tought Loeb signed I full year deal. Now I'm understanding that it's not like that and I change my mind on Loeb's side. It's good for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
But I still don't know if it is good for Hyundai, imho I would have saved the spots to try to raise a future champion, or to recover Paddon or to bet on some other driver. I actually would have taken Ogier before he signed with Citroen and before he signed with M-Sport back then.
Loeb is good low-term but even if he is a legend and the best of all times he's not as fast as he was in his days.
I think Paddon has been given enough of chances to show what he can do, and Huttunen is their future champion in the making, but not still ready to help them win the manufacturer championship. Also, in Loeb they get a brilliant tarmac driver, something their team is lacking on (in addition to Neuville).Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
At this moment it's just if's and would's.Quote:
I actually would have taken Ogier before he signed with Citroen and before he signed with M-Sport back then.
He can still win rallies, I think that's enough.Quote:
Loeb is good low-term but even if he is a legend and the best of all times he's not as fast as he was in his days.
I agree, but in my (partial) defence I said it when it was the time as well! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
To me not, since a good winning team doesn't think low-term but mid-long term.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
To me not, since a good winning team doesn't think low-term but mid-long term.[/QUOTE]
M-Sport weren’t exactly thinking mid or long term when they signed Ogier and we all know how that story went.
Ogier is completely different case. He is at the peak of his career, the best out there and if you are not too much unlucky he will give you the driver championship title. There is not long term or low term discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by T16
They`ve been in the championship for 5 seasons now, spent a load of money and are still without any titles- what makes it worse, lost them to a private team with the smallest budget and another big Asian manuf. on their 2. year back. Even if it`s short term, other options are even shorter ( stepping down from the series).
To me it´s absolutely clear Huyndai should write Mikkelsen off. Or give him Huttunen under his wings in a two car WRC2 team 2019.
Then go on with Neuville-Loeb-Paddon. And Sordo for some rallies.
I guess if Loeb beats Neuville on most rounds then we will see if he's past it or not. I don't think they have done this because they feel sorry for him. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he goes for another championship. He's certainly not going to sign up with them to drop a position to let TN past... no way.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
Hyundai is not the car for Mikkelsen, he did good in VW , only reasonable move for him is Msport. Hyundai is worst team out of the four (performance wise), only Neuville can drive it well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper