It's gonna be interesting to see how far Katsuta can make it before he bins it in p5
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It's gonna be interesting to see how far Katsuta can make it before he bins it in p5
In my opinion these roads are quite fun
You guys are in a wrong thread
I dont doubt this at all. Lappi has said this several times.Quote:
Originally Posted by denkimi
I remember well from his spell at M-Sport how difficult he found it being away from his young family so much. And when he was out of a seat altogether he really loved being at home.
Thats true, but I understand he had the possibility to continue at Toyota sharing the car with Ogier no?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
WRC is the only top sport that its “players” say they do not want to do all the “games” and they want to stay home.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I never heard a footballer asking to not play all the matches or an F1 driver to ask for a partial programme. They are doing what they dreamt of as kids and they want to live it to the maximum.
Meeke hinting for smth? :D
Racing in RAC rally news came out 2 months ago, so can't be that..
Instagram story:
,,If you know... you know''
https://www.upload.ee/image/15955297..._Instagram.jpg
and also changed his FB coverphoto to one sitting in Yaris WRC..
https://www.upload.ee/image/15955315...0_Facebook.jpg
Probably just a livery tease. Should be this one https://i.pinimg.com/originals/32/bf...280491ddb4.jpg
Yes but this is different. That was taking a full-time seat as opposed to keeping a part-time one, whereas now its take a part-time seat or nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by becher
Black and green Monster Energy Toyota rally2 would look cool :D
https://www.upload.ee/image/15958471..._Instagram.jpg
It is possible. Like Fowler said in the interview they won’t have a factory rally2 team but are looking for clients. So if Solberg wants it, he can have it
There will not be an official team with the Rally 2 car?
TF: At least at the moment the main purpose of the car is to sell for the customers to use. And that’s the main target. Of course, there may be some strong contenders who choose to drive a Toyota and that would be really nice. But at the moment there’s no plan to have our own for example.
Source https://www.wrcwings.tech/2023/11/13...oyota-in-2023/
Kris Meeke has changed his FB profile photo yesterday and now Seb Marshall has finished as a WRC reporter.. Does that mean, that he is going to co-drive Meeke next year in Toyota Rally2? :D
Now, time for the last moments of the silly season.
For Toyota, we should know very quickly.
Some rumors about Rovanpera with part-time but doesn’t sound to be the trend.
Only other question mark could be about renting or offering the 4th car to a youngster (Pajari or Solberg depending on the goal, with a Rally2 program aside) when Ogier is not there… but doesn’t sound to be the trend also.
However, the most realistic view is that they keep the same team and organization.
For Hyundai, only one question mark, who will share the 3rd car with Lappi and there are a lot of options.
Suninen would sound the most logical on the trend but his profile is not the most compatible to share a car with Lappi and his results with the Rally1 were average (if we consider he bins the result in Chile). Still, looking at the pros and cons of each option, I think he will be selected.
Sounds like Hyundai is considering Sordo a bit too old now (and his results were average this year) … but he could have a farewell drive in Portugal in a 4th car.
Fourmaux was also in the rumors (quite compatible with Lappi) but his Japan outing may have end this opportunity; Rossel could have been compatible in a tarmac style but with no Rally1 experience and not a skyrocketing season, I don’t see Hyundai considering him.
Mikkelsen could also be a solution but he has never driven a Rally1 and his relations with Hyundai were complicated… however, his profile is a bit more compatible than Suninen’s one for sharing the car with Lappi (different situation than 2023).
Sounds also complicated for Solberg (not that compatible with Lappi + quite unconsistent still).
Lindholm sounds out of contention with disappointing results since he joins the team in Rally2.
I don’t believe in a surprise like Paddon or Munster (and I don’t see the point for Munster to leave M-Sport for a customer-run 4th Hyundai when we saw what happened with 2C).
For M-Sport, well, the question is about which driver could bring some backing to be in. Should be a combination of some guys among this list of candidates: Greensmith, Solberg, Fourmaux, Loubet, Munster. I don’t really see anyone else that could afford the car and having the backing. Loeb’s outings could also be in the mix but may be complex with his job at Dacia developing the Dakar car.
Serderidis sounds to want to find solutions for a part-time program for Munster (even if personnally, I think he is a limited-talented driver).
For Loubet, his poor season (2nd one in the last 3 years) may question the backing he benefits from a French guy… maybe a very last opportunity as a part-time driver?
Solberg, well, the Monster-Red Bull stuff may discard the solution.
Fourmaux is probably in contention but what happens in Japan will necessarily raise some question in M-Sport management (and the «*he starts back in Super Rally … but finally no*» episode may answer it).
In this context, I wouldn’t discard Greensmith coming back as a full-season driver if no one else (a bit like in 2021) as there is not anymore conflict with a top driver priority (Tanak).
He never burnt his bridges with Toyota and his work with the Hyundai Rally 2 car in Portugal this year after Craig's sad demise would put him in good stead for Toyota Rally 2 seat somewhere in '24Quote:
Originally Posted by CeskyOndra
I was watching season review on Rally.TV while Paul King (one of the comentators) said, that another tall man is going to Hyundai.. And then others said something like "Don't tell any secret to Paul".. So does that mean, that some "tall" driver or co-driver is going to Hyundai?
Perhaps Seb Marshall will co drive for Meeke?
I was thinking the same thing. I mean with rally2 machineQuote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Yeah. Why not?
Pajari and Oliver sharing fourth car. And Rally2 car...
Could be possible outcome.
There will not be manufacturer team. They will give cars to private teams. I think one team will be for japanese juniors, most probably some finish team. And others will be in private hands, in different teams.
I believe WRC2 will be more interesting than WRC in 2024…
Depends.. if cars work and two teammates + strict principal start to fight for wins and titles every rally, then there should be enough material for ,,Drive to survive'' WRC edition :D
So Toyota will probably announce their Line-Up tomorrow around 10:00AM
I read a rumorQuote:
Originally Posted by CeskyOndra
Kalle part time
Evans first driver full time
Ogier 10 events covering Kalle absence
Katsuta all events
That ,,part-time'' word is so annoying already :D
Anyway.. I don't believe that Toyota would let thru such mess with half ass programs..
You mean that Kalle will be doing just 3 events? No, I don't believe it.. Without Kalle, Toyota will struggle. For me, Kalle is now better than Seb.
It is official now.
“ News about my WRC future! I have signed a multi-year contract with @TGR_WRC !
In 2024, we will drive half of the #WRC calendar. Felt that this is a good time to have a year like this, and I explain more of the reasons behind this on the video.
#KR69”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC2-Jd_oJzY
That´s it! Congratulations Ott Tänak 2024 WRC Champion!
No Kalle full-time anymore. First ever WRC season that there will be no any Finnish driver full season. Personally it´s also enough to not follow the WRC anymore. Of course Rally Finland, but no other events.
allright, I have to take my words back..
all in all bad for WRC also, when such a champion (2 champions actually, Ogier too) doesn't race the whole year.
Thierry’s and Evans best chance to become a champ
And wow. Didn’t believe it
Rovanperä shares car with Ogier
Evans + Katsuta full time
https://toyotagazooracing.com/pressr.../2023/1120-01/
Kalle will probably finish his military service also? Would make sense…
Evans' year :vader:
Have to admit I didn't believe the rumors but there it is. Maybe a wise move from Kalle, also gives him a good chance to finally win Finland.
So now can the two forever 2nd finishers (Neuville and Evans) finally get one or will Tanak get a second?
Realistically, Hyundai hold two of three cards that can win the drivers' championship next year. Surely they can't blow it now!!!!
Big surprise. Now I'd say Hyundai is the favourite for manufacturer title, with Neuville and Tanak full time. As for the drivers title... if Hyundai doesn't improve reliability, I see Evans as favourite. If he doesn't crack under pressure.
It will be strange to miss Kalle on the startline, even If he is in the TOP class just for few years now. It will all depend on Hyundai's reliability - we will see on third round - Safari.. This is proper and maybe the last chance for Thierry. Looking forward!
Watch until end of the video where Thierry and Ott are commenting
Totally agree with them
https://youtu.be/Thv9vTydm_8?si=VoMrBrhwzjzI80ii
I'm sure they have discussed the topic with each-other a lot. They understand the reasons. It's not an "accident" that Ogier, Sordo and Lappi drive half-seasons because they want to do it that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
But at the moment, we have only 4 full-time drivers for next season. M-Sport is big question mark - but whatever they add to the list, is not probably title-contender material.
On the other hand - I think winning a rally will be harder now, especially for full-timers. Because those half-season guys don't need to drive safely, they can go all in (till at least 2 cars from the same team are still in the game). Seb will not cruise there to get some more safe points, he just want to win. Additionally for gravel rallies they have huge road position advantage.
So maybe fight for title is a bit more boring, but hopefully rallies are more interesting.
to me it seems like the story of someone who was pushed by his parents to do the things they couldn't, and not someone who had to fight against all odds to get where he his now.
Rally 1 becoming so boring when there's just 4 full time drivers.