I would say that in this case it could be more Adamo/Hyundai giving him the seat and less ,,buying'' it..
As he did the rally with i20 r5 some weeks ago and should have useful data and settings for WRC rally with same conditions..
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I would say that in this case it could be more Adamo/Hyundai giving him the seat and less ,,buying'' it..
As he did the rally with i20 r5 some weeks ago and should have useful data and settings for WRC rally with same conditions..
The only way he can help Hyundai is by taking off points from Toyotas. Maybe the price for Oliver is different than for any random person, but I doubt it's for free. Or maybe it was like with Veiby, having one WRC drive combined in the WRC2 season deal on a bargain price, and they decided it's best to try out in a snow rally.Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
Solberg was given the info on this just after Monte.
Adamo just saw an opportunity and acted directly!
Insane that's what I thought off when I read this news.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
On so many levels, in random order:
- learning old (pre 2022) car why? (imo, lack of active center diff will be biggest change)
- last season car at best, likely not even that (hopefully not the aero-hybrid Loubet had that has never been tested in that config on snow)
- throwing WRC2 title chance (Arctic was his best chance of scoring good points, together with Estonia)
- "throwing" testing experience from running the Arctic rally in January
For what exactly? Showing himself in WRC? So what he would drive it at some point anyway.
He has a contract for 2 years, so why now.
I can't help to think there is something more to this. First three things that come to mind:
- It's Adamo's decision, "to do something", cause he feels he needs to do something after very bad Monte for Hyundai
(both PR-wise but also sports-wise with possibly putting a pressure on one of the Toyota guys). He did this kind of snap decisions before seemingly without thinking of consequences (ex. Loeb going to Portugal in 2019 with different diff he didn't test and with no knowledge of stages)
- It's Adamo's way to put extra PR-pressure on Hyundai, to make them commit to 2022 ("Look we have this coming new great driver and he has a deal with us for next year")
- Solbergs (-team) are not so enthusiastic about the current I20 R5 and want to wait for new one for real WRC2 fight
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Most likely it's a combination of the first 2, last one is just a total speculation.
EDIT: Seems like Sulland's post confirms the first idea
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Again I am astounded by the hype, now it seems to overdo even Rovanpera-hype levels, especially reading this from D. Evans: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-...-rally1-debut/
So far Solberg has won Rally2 in Really Estonia last year and Rally Liepāja that's it. There is a long list of rallies where he has certainly shown signs of speed, but only over a stage or two.
Monte great example. He won two stage out of which only one with a decent time difference. Else he was usually 3-5.
On that one stage that is boasted by Evans the late R5s had better conditions and out of these only 2-3 were pushing and Gryazin (who usually did same times) had a puncture.
No this doesn't mean I think he is bad and certainly doesn't mean that he won't have a great future. But he should really take some time to learn to show stable performances. Btw. running WRC for whole season would also work for that, but not jumping between R5 and "old" WRC
Btw. we have seen this before with Petter. He went to Subaru probably a bit too early and it resulted in at least a year with unnecessary crashes. Problem is this kind of "long term" learning worked in 2002 and also worked for Ogier in 2009-2010, but it needs a "stable" team/team leadership that sticks with the driver during the time it takes to develop. Adamo+Hyundai does not seem to be that kind of team. (see Huttunen).
I think the time is just about very right. Circumstances in all was in Olivers favour. Adamo also had to work fast:
- did what he should in RMC
- was fast(est) (?) RC2 in Arctic.
- young gun with possible option too choose any wheel in WRC'
- already used to those monsters (RX)
- coming Arctic rally best rally for him to start WRC drive...
- Huyndai have to handle their assett.
Agree with Adamo thing. He´s an fast acting man.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
But Monte talk? He was there for first time, man!
Read once again what you wrote and then think it over.
1. Monte was OK at bestQuote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
2. Yes, so is there a better way to use that experience than to get good results for WRC2 against more competition?
3. 2 year deal at Hyundai, why would he need to show somehting to anyone right now? (mid-late season better idea)
4. Not much relevance, circuits with slow-mid speed corners and little aero vs high speed corners with lots of aero
5. No argument, did you just write this to have more numbers?
6. Same as above...
He drove Monte last year with Polo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
You are right about that. My bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
But - still not same stages (only a couple) and he did it first time as hired by a factory team. He said, he was there to learn in a new car, and you think he should have won every stage, not happy with thos 3-5 places?
Give him a break and be happy for him is the least I´d would propose.
I dont think we should read more into this than i said.
The Teamboss wants to check out his level on snow in a WRCar, to figure out his current standpoint, and in what areas they need to give more focus and training.
As said by Mknight: - Solbergs (-team) are not so enthusiastic about the current I20 R5 and want to wait for new one for real WRC2 fight.
This was true, they have now gotten to know the car more, and Oliver likes the R5 much more now than in the beginning. Many hours of tests have been done in Sweden.
Lets see if they will be involved in the latter part of testing of the Rally2 car. I would have sent a car with tech support to Solberg HQ for comprehensive testing on loose, and invited them to Germany as soon as weather permits asphalt testing.
Adamo is smart, and know Petters abilities to build easy to drive fast cars. When you have the solbergs inhouse, use the 110% they give you!
Another thing worth considering is that Oliver probably wanted to drive his home event in Sweden with the WRC, and this is Sweden's replacement
The worksdrivers will test here - https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries...lveralli-2021/
Maybe Oliver will show up as well now.
Petter Solberg
Oliver Solberg is making his World Rally Car debut at the Arctic Rally in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC! ��
Too early? Well, Andrea Adamo called us with the fantastic offer, and reminded me that I made my WRC car debut with only one week notice - and that ended not too badly with 5th at the Safari Rally in 1999 ����
After that I didn't really have anything to say back, it was a fair point! So Oliver has a fantastic opportunity making his full World Rally Car debut later this month - very exciting, and a great learning experience for the future ��
He has nothing to lose. Let the kid have fun in a world rally car.
Oliver Solberg:
The only target for me at the Arctic Rally Finland will be to learn and take the experience. I want to come out of every stage understanding the i20 Coupe WRC more and more. At the same time, I do want to see progression with the times, that’s also important for me !
D N F was his result from MC (off road was the reason)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Only been able to watch Oliver driving a car twice, one test and one rally and now he's already in WRC and i will miss that too :(
As someone who has seen Oliver and Kalle grow up on Latvia’s roads I can’t wait see this duel :)
That's not really true.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
He loses one of his best chances for good WRC2 result.
What does he gain? I'm not so sure. Does he need more publicity? Not really. Does he need to learn an old model of a car that gets replaced at the end of the year?
I think it's at best a distraction at worst a misstep.
He will be in wrc1 anyway. No one cares about good wrc2 result.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
But the cars will be different next yearQuote:
Originally Posted by Oliverk
Who knows. They said Estonia will never have WRC round until Finns are still sober enough to hold their own rally. Now we have 2 rallys in Finland and one in Estonia.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Have to start getting used to faster cars anyways.. we have whole season ahead and people saying it's pointless for him to drive the top car :DQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
That's not really true. Oliver was not part of WRC2 on Monte...Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
He needs to learn to deliver results somewhere. So far the only championship he has won is Latvia national one. Similarly he only won a single ERC rally and a single Rally2 clasification in WRC event.(Latvia ERC round and Estonian WRC). Posting a few good stage times is nice, but many people can do that, Gryazin and Veiby are nearest examples.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oliverk
Sure he could learn that in WRC(1) too but:
- that's very expensive with the current cars
- it doesn't seem to be the plan now with no future WRC starts announced and R5 car in garage
Note that all of Loeb, Ogier and Rovanpera had won decent international champions before any WRC program. His father (Petter) did not. So that's why they maybe think it's a good idea. Not sure situation from 1999 can easily be compared to 2021 though.
Yes he run out of classification to improve his title chance by saving point collection to events more likely to get good results at... like Arctic.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
Anyway I wrote enough on this and it's a bit off topic. Hope this doesn't hurt his career. (the way Huttunens career went after joining Hyundai ).
few stage times?Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
you really compare Oliver with Veiby ? lol
You are new in a job, actually your first job you hold.
You have not really started, just been visiting and getting to know the people working there.
Then you boss calls and tell that there is a change of plans. You are to work in another department with cooler tools and more resources. He just want you to test it out, learn, and have som fun.
What do you answer: No thanks boss. I would not like to do that, I will do as we first planned.
That sounds like the wrong answer.
You take the chances/gifts you get in your career. They might not come back.
I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
Feels more and more like Adamo "wanting to do something" after Monte disaster and Solberg(s) kind of don't have an option to say no. Cause at this point it wouldn't fit as in your good example.
why its bothering you so much ?Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
you seem to think that you know better than team members and staff what to do and what not. really ridiculous posts since the announcement today but good entertainment also in the meantime.
One of the reasons for doing WRC2 is to learn the rallies for next year when he'll be in a Rally1 car. Arctic Rally Finland is a one-off for this year so no learning needed for next year. Maybe Adamo thinks its worth the risk to let him have play in the top class on this event.
+ on the PR side, I can't see a better person to have in your team.. Yesterday Facebook/Twitter/IG feed was full of Oliver's news (with video greeting) about getting the WRC car seat in Arctic rally.
With Huttunen, Veiby etc there would have been a little post/tweet and that's it.. ,,Thanks!''
Solbergs attract people with their positivity and emotions while giving interviews and that's what fans like and the series needs.
Oliver is similar to Kalle. No matter what path they take, they'd have both found their way into a WRC car permanently sooner or later.
He is destined for the top - whether he fucks up on his WRC car debut, or whether he impresses. Whether he shows good pace in the Artic rally, or doesn't. Whether he wins a wrc2 title, or whether he doesn't (because he could be fast tracked to the WRC before then). Etc etc.
There is no right or wrong path, as every individual is different. If Adamo wants to fast track Solberg and throw him into the deep end, that shows his faith & confidence in him.
If Solberg is miles off the pace/ crashes etc he will learn from it and get a reality check, and realise how much work he has to do. If he sets a good stage time or 3, it shows he is capable and he could potentially get another WRC drive in Estonia this year...., and that's good for every WRC fan.
Team principles aren't expecting him to win the wrc2 title this season, so I'll ask again who REALLY cares about it (besides Mknight)? If Adamo did, he wouldn't be putting Oliver in the wrc car for the artic rally (as it's his best chance of a result). All he has to do this year show some impressive stage times against who he is competing with (Mikkelsen/Ostberg etc in WRC2, or the lesser drivers in the top class), and learn all the rallies to gain experience. Every man and his dog knows Mikkelsen will win the wrc2 title - as he should.
Exactly, it can be over analysed to death if people want to, but as you say the lad is going to find his way into a top class car one way or another, and the opportunity has come pretty early. If he does good, bad or indifferent in the Arctic, it won’t change much for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Exactly what's been goin' on on this forum lately, by some people!Quote:
Originally Posted by doubled1978
Literally thinking that before I read your post. It’s like there’s a few trying way too hard to impose their opinions.... kind of knocking the fun out of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaps
Keep going this way and people will hold off posting for fear of some twat picking it to bits.
I like to analyze, speculate and discuss. If you guys find it negative for the forum, I can go elsewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaps
I think they meant overanalyzing. The way you post contributes our forum greatly.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk
Yep.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Best forum is apparently the one where it's quiet.
And dare not have opinion on something that someone in WRC does, they be gods.
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T16 talking about twats tops everything. How is your conversation with Fast Eddie going?