Latvala only beat Atkinson by 8 points last year, in a car that was infinitely better than the Subaru. If Latvala was faster and more consistent, the results don't show it. Atkinson also beat Solberg last year...Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
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Latvala only beat Atkinson by 8 points last year, in a car that was infinitely better than the Subaru. If Latvala was faster and more consistent, the results don't show it. Atkinson also beat Solberg last year...Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
My opinion about JM is that he like many others "future champions" (Loix, Duval,...) was pushed too soon on WRC scene without achieving any great results on lower levels (finish champ., JWRC. PWRC...). He always has speed, but also crashes a lot. I believe only raw speed is not enough, they should learn him to be consistent in early years, they made big mistake to let him on such level without any restrictions in way of winning sth. (be finish (italian, BRC...) champion, get PWRC/JWRC title first) and only after achieving it he will get promotion. So basically he get this "reward" only on his speed ability but not on results. If I remember right he also had some crashes in his PWRC year. Also media (probably especially finish ones) "made him champion" too soon and he get this in his mind and now while he does not deliver what he was expected it frustrates him too much and only worsening his situation. So all in all Ford`s (or MW`s strategy) of building first star driver doesn`t working so good as they expected.
In comparison to Ford Citroen`s (or french if you like) strategy is quite different. They develop young drivers through results (he MUST achieve sth.) to be promoted. They give him full support, but without result there is no promotion (for example Loeb, Sordo, Ogier-they all won JWRC first). Even Colin McCrash gone to WRC level step by step (lotus sunbeam, vauxall nova cup, scottish champ., BRC...) despite his crashes. Although this strategy has it minuses too later...if you put one driver to be second driver too long (for. example Hirvonen, Sordo) and not allow him to slowly push on first driver they may "loose" some speed... But Loeb and many other all stars shows that such strategy is still better than Ford`s one...even Matt Wilson surprises me this year as he as almost as fast as Ogier, so he finally get some speed and with his consistency even he might be better 2nd driver than Jari Matti. I am sad to say that but it is like it is...
I really like the idea of JML.
He is fast, raw, and out there. His driving is exciting and you never know what he is going to do. Is he going to be brilliantly fast? Is he going to crash? If is he really flying how long can he keep it in check before he just tosses it off of the side of the road?
With the WRC as boring as it has become JML gives me something to be interested in.
Although, the three races so far this year have been some of the more interesting and exciting rallies of the past 3-4 years...
My god surely Ford are not even thinking about Duval as he is probably as bad as JML but with a bad attitude as well!!!!
I completely agree with matSLO.
I want Gardemeister in the seat of Latvala, Garde is one of the consistent drivers and he knows to finish a rally.
Why must another driver taking the place of Latvala?Quote:
Originally Posted by ste898
Many here say names of other drivers to replace J-ML, but I think the problem is Ford itself. They have not succeeded to build a car which is just as strong or better than a Citroën.
We know all that Loeb is fast and almost faultless with a Citroën, no one else had ever the possibility to grow together with the cars in a one team.
Citroën has the best rally cars and give it just to one, maybe two drivers.
We will never see Loeb with another car i think.
I´l say it again, Ford and M-sport have failed and never will obtain the level of Citroën in building a rally car. Don´t blame the drivers.
What utter rubbish........so the Focus not being as good AS the C4 caused JML to drive too fast into a corner and roll down the mountain side get real??Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother John
I think perhaps he would need a more experienced co driver who is able to calm him down and makes him listen to his pace notes. Because after JML interview I think there is also a communication problem if he says that he brakes when he sees that he has to brake not when the co driver tells him to brake???!!!
The complete forum is full with rubbisch......so what? :dozey:Quote:
Originally Posted by ste898
It does not concern here only about Latvala but about Ford.
The easiest way is always to give a driver the blame.
I say only that Citroën is the better team and car, the C4 remains, however, on the road and is faster.
Even i don´t like Citroën, it´s just a fact they are the only factory team at the moment.
Thoughts:
Comparing JM-L to Gigi Galli?