I could see VW rolling out a fourth Polo at GB next year once they've clinched a fourth manufacturer title, Ogier wrapped up the championship a month earlier and Latvala is confirmed for Toyota in 2017.
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I could see VW rolling out a fourth Polo at GB next year once they've clinched a fourth manufacturer title, Ogier wrapped up the championship a month earlier and Latvala is confirmed for Toyota in 2017.
This is a cradible scenario, with Lappi in that 4th maybe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
So if Citroen plan to do something different for 16, will that be to form a Citroen 2 team, as VW has, or will Lefebvre take some asfalt rounds as number 2, instead of Mads?
Better to disquss here than in News&rumours.
I don't know the current status in Citroën, but it was atleast quite obvious that it was som changes in the team before Australia in some intervju with the teamboss.
The driver that eventually got sacked there, is obvious in Ford.
I hardly see levfebre in a workscar next year, so who's in?
My guess: Citroen keeps his drivers because there is anything better in the market and say bye bye to all of us at the end of the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
Maybe. But then probably Peugeot steps up in the big league again.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
I really hope so... that would be lovely! Ditch the Dakar and rally cross BS since you suck at it and come back to what you used to be good at :)Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
Tänak to switch places with Ostberg? :PQuote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
Too late to join WRC for 2017. I mean, not for testing and build car (they will have a base with DS3), but there are not even rumors or nothing that could make us speculate about their return. Although it would be great of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
2016 will be more and less the same. Contracts to 2017 with new make will change many seats. I only can see Meeke entering Ford or Neuville place in Hyundai, with the belguim entering on Ford again.
Peugeot, DS or Citroën, it's all the same with a different logo.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
Peugeot even didn´t manage to build a reliable R5 car, so forget them.
You don't decide drivers future on the outcome of one event - you do it over the whole season. Have they both done enough to warrant a seat next year? Once you've answered that you make a decision. Then you see who is available - and willing to join ( or who has the £$£$£$/ sponsorship)
My bet/wish for 2016: Meeke goes to Hyundai; Neuville goes to Citroën or Ford just for one season, entering Toyota from 2017; depending on Neuville choice, Kubica gets a seat at Ford or Citroën.
Your bookmaker must love you!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
Story's coming up that M-sport may use Dmacks next year.
Hopefully this is not true as these new Fabias would be faster than WRC Fords.
Dmacks took a new boss from Pirelli with years of experience, I think it could be a good bet. DMACK could give the money they need for a better driver and if they will deliver good tyres it could become very interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariusz
Maybe it is a gambling but they've nothing to lose so..
BTW I hope they keep Tanak. I know that in two season he didn't deliver too much but still, I don't know why, I see something in him, it's like his raw speed could come up and begin to be consistent in any moment. It's more a sensation than a rational thinking but I think it would be good to keep him another year, just to be sure to have not wasted a talent.
You are right AL14. In the article there was also that Dmack wants to enter the championship with a current leading WRC team so it could mean they will already enter with M-sport next season (yeah i know M-sport actually isnt a leading team). And if it will be so then one of the drivers will be definetly Tänak because he has got the experience with Dmacks and with a WRC car.
Nice to see that im not the only one who sees something in Tänak. We all know his speed but the question is about consistency but like you said it may come anytime and i think it will come if he gets more experience. His second half this season has actually been quite consistent, he lost a lot of points due to unlucky incidents in the beginning of the season. He and Paddon have had quite a similar season IMO but Paddon gets the praise all the time and Tänak not.
Pirelli is not on the same level as Michelin though, so even if DMACK is able to get to Pirelli level Fords would be losing time just because of tires. Most of people tend to simplify things and when they would see Fords at the end of classification they won't go into details and they will just say that Fords are slow. I know it may be about money, but if Malcolm wants to at least pretend that Ford WRC is competitive taking slower tires is not going to help him.
Yves Matton said that all becomes clear. They will announce the decision in first half of december, Peugeot and Citroen will have more than one program. He said: "If we will stay in WRC we want to fight for victory in 2018-2019.
Regarding drivers: "We will choose drivers in 3 weeks after Rally GB, we think about 3 scenarios and we want to avoid errors. I'm interested in Neuville, he is the only choice for Citroen in 2017."
http://wrc.net.pl/citroen-zostaje
i just dont get this Neuville love from everyone....mystical
Think he said Neuville is the only `good` choice for 2017, if the interview translated correctly!Quote:
Originally Posted by b3637853
Yeap I must have missed it. Anyway for me it's also hard to understand why Neuville? Is he going to be better after 2016 or Matton knows that their 2017 car will suit him? What is it?Quote:
Originally Posted by bassist
Neuville and Matton are from Belgium.Quote:
Originally Posted by b3637853
Seems to me that Neuville is just a `pin up boy`! He just hasnt shown the speed, and Paddon has `rattled` him!Quote:
Originally Posted by b3637853
How do you rate the 2015 season Thierry Neuville?
"Obviously not the level of what was expected of a driver like Thierry, Vice-World Champion in 2014 and winner of a WRC in 2014. The failure to feel supported, that the leaders of Hyundai put their No.1 in danger, did not help. "
What would you do if you were the manager Thierry?
"I would focus on in 2017 to avoid making a wrong career choice again if we are still here in 2017, Thierry interested I would say even more:... In 2017, Citroën is its only good choice"
http://www.dhnet.be/sports/moteurs/m...70bccfaed0ff24
Full Yves Matton interview (translation):
Yves, do you already know if Citroën WRC will still beyond 2016?
"I have an idea increasingly clear on the issue. It will be announced during the first half of December. But it is certain that Peugeot and Citroen will not have a single official program. This will be the WTCC and WRC regarding us. With the goal of winning. "
So more with the same drivers as this year ...
"(laughs). Kris has won a race ..."
The aim would be to win a race?
"No. But we do not target the title in 2017 if we continue in the WRC with a new car and new regulations. It will be a three-year plan. Our goal is to win more victories in 2017 and win the title in 2018 or 2019. "
Do you have guarantees on the possibility of having a competitive car in 2017 configuration?
"95% of the items that I mean that I'm confident that we could fight to Citroen with a new segment of B."
Have you chosen your drivers for 2016?
"No, but this will be done within three weeks just after the Wales Rally GB. Currently I have three possible scenarios."
Will you keep the same two drivers?
"It is not impossible if we should not stay in the WRC in 2017."
Your drivers have they met your expectations in 2015?
"If I answer that question, I also answer to the previous ... I must therefore abstain."
How do you rate the 2015 season Thierry Neuville?
"Obviously not the level of what was expected of a driver like Thierry, Vice-World Champion in 2014 and winner of a WRC in 2014. The failure to feel supported, that the leaders of Hyundai put their No.1 in danger, did not help. "
What would you do if you were the manager Thierry?
"I would focus on in 2017 to avoid making a wrong career choice again if we are still here in 2017, Thierry interested I would say even more:... In 2017, Citroën is its only good choice"
I thought Matton meant that for Neuville Citroen was the only good choice for 2017.
Basically Matton is saying if they are confirmed for 2017 they will not retain both of this year's drivers in 2016.
Citroen are already in WTCC and WRC so a possible scenario is Citroen quitting WRC after 2016 but Peugeot coming in 2017.
Personaly i would like that the most, Peugeot entering WRC again, also whit Neuville on board.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Peolple do forget good results fast, 2013,14, and begin of 2015 season Neuville was one of the Ogier challengers. That speed cant be gone, things havent gon the way he had hoped for him.
If, and when he gets over this, i think he wil be back on top.
"It will be announced during the first half of December. But it is certain that Peugeot and Citroen WILL HAVE a single official program. This will be the WTCC OR WRC regarding us."Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
As it was already knowned, Matton's saying that Cit and Pug will be officially (official means in house programs, in PSA sports tradition) involved into one discipline each.
The interview main interest are Matton's thoughts on the 2017/19 WRC scenario (2017 as a revamp year in order to fight for titles in 18/19); if decision about staying on WRC isn't already made, why should he bother talking about those long term projections?
Hopefully (I was skeptic till now) Citroen will be around for a long time!
I would so love that to be true. He was a blast to watch in the old 207 S2000 in the IRC. But since you are called duvel, I'll assume that you're from belgium and that you are biased about his form hahahaha.Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
I wonder if he will really find it again or if that was a sudden flash of speed like has been seen with other drivers in the past but then couldn't hold it together, like Sordo who showed great promise early on and now is more like a "Get the job done and go home"-type of driver. Also Østberg who almost won rallies in the beginning and now does steady results but never anything spectacular.
Because decision will be made by board and Matton has to have all alternatives covered when he goes to board meeting to present the case. They will askQuote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
-what are our alternatives
-what will each alternative cost
-what we will get out of each alternative
-what are specific goals of each these
-what are your plans to achieve those goals
Matton's answer: hiring Thierry NeuvilleQuote:
Originally Posted by jonkka
Board's reply: LOL!
:D
Meeke post-Rally GB:
So that’s the end, then, of the 2015 season. I suppose you’re wanting me to say something about 2016 – but we’ll just have to wait and see about next year. I know I joked at the finish line of the last stage that my garden needs a bit of attention at home, but that’s not a case of me wanting to say nothing; it’s just that at the moment there’s no news. As soon as we have something to report, I’ll be back in touch.
Best regards,
Kris
I really hope we see him next year, this year he has shown that when he doesn't make mistakes he is able to take the fight to VW with that S***roen which probably hasn't been improved since Loeb years. He now has enough experince (& hopefully next year a bit more luck & consistency) to do so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Also hoping to see Mads next year in Citroen, has been "Hirvonen" consistent this year, hope he starts to bag wins next year alongside Meeke.
He won't.. he's been around a long time now so unlikely to get much better. He's good at mopping up the points but I don't think he's even on Hirvonen's level to be honest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
I think they will keep Elfyn. If Citroen drop one of their guys they will take them, if not they will stick with Tanak.