Wishful thinking from the commentator.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
But you never know what can happen at Toyota if Ogier retired and Rovanpera decides he's not enjoying his rallying...
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Wishful thinking from the commentator.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
But you never know what can happen at Toyota if Ogier retired and Rovanpera decides he's not enjoying his rallying...
Ogier, Tänak, Solberg in the main team, Katsuta and Pajari in the satellite one. Kalle will do other stuff- he's done with rallying. Also Evans is leaving and will end up at Hyundai. This is the dream I saw yesterday...Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
What about this:
Toyota employ 7 drivers all on different contracts ( I know it sounds crazy but hear me out)
Evans & Tanak on full time contracts which sees them do all rallies and nominated for points for the main team
Rovanpera & Ogier on fluid part time contracts which allows them to liaise with the team and more or less choose what events they want to compete in as the main teams 3rd driver
Solberg, Katsuta & Pajari all on contracts which sees them compete in the satellite team primarily (unless needed on main team) and possibly not doing all rounds but at least 10.
This could allow Toyota to bring 5 cars to all events and decide on which 5 drivers from the 7 available depending on what they/the driver wants.
Let's face it all of the drivers would be happy to stay at Toyota under this scenario given where they are performance wise compared to Hyundai.
The only flaw I see in it is if Rovanpera wants a full time role. To me this is not certain right now, I think he would be happy to just do the rounds he wants to.
Just a thought!
Now we need only Adrien to start talking to them haha
If we draw the line by overall all drivers ranked in Toyota camp:
1.) Rovanpera (he have 2 titles with them)
2.) Ogier (usually part timer, but excelent)
3.) Evans (I think the most consistent in the team)
4.) Solberg (straight win first time driving Toyota)
5.) Pajari (Learner, he is showing some potential)
6.) Katsuta (after all this years he should be regular on podiums or at least very close to win event or two)
I don't know why all consider Tanak replacing Evans, Ogier or Rovanpera and nobody see Katsuta is the one who should be sacked. He doesn't bring any value to the team. If Pajari would screw 2 or 3 seasons, he would be probably out, but he is still learning while Katsuta isn't anymore.
He is from JapanQuote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
As sad as it might be for a Tänak fan, I really don't see him joining Toyota. There just isn't any seats available, rather vice versa. Where do you put Solberg? Part time with Ogier? I think as it will be the last year of Rally1 and from there, at least in the beginning, there is a speed and performance drop, all the drivers would like to drive this last year.
A simple question: why does Toyota need Tänak?
A good setup man? Well, he didn’t succeed at that in Ford, nor in several years at Hyundai...
A good team player? Hardly..
I can't imagine any scenario in which Tanak would bring benefit to Toyota.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
He has probably started the rumour himself to try to pretend Hyundai should pay him money. He really doesn't have any options.
A simple answer: If Ogier and Kalle both do part time seasons againQuote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
Then it's Solberg's time to shine.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
The win in Estonia was extraordinary, but still I think it's a bit optimistic to hope something special from the first season with Rally1 Yaris. He would be able to fight for rally wins, but driving for the title, starting first from the road and being good on all the events needs more experience. The overall level in Rally1 is just still one step above of the current Rally2.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit12
There are three uncertainties named Rovanpera, Ogier and Evans.
Before we know where and what they go/will do there´s no idea of speculations.
If those three stay, there will be no Tanak, but at least one Solberg at the playlist...
Agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by flat_right
So I think the 3 top Toyota guys will all want to continue in 2026. Solberg could share with or replace one of the others, but that's it for changes.
there's no need. toyota will run alone next year...Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
I do have a feeling also it will be the case.Quote:
Originally Posted by wyler
Timo Jouhki reveals major contract details about Kalle Rovanperä's next 2 seasons - if he does one he must do both and full-time...
https://rallyjournal.com/manager-rev...lle-rovanpera/
Is the 2 year contract a requirement from Toyota? I would have imagined Kalle to be in such a position to decide what he wants to do or not. Or is it related to the development of the new car?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Jouhki himself obviously wants Kalle to continue and drive as much as possible.
I believe after last year Toyota won't let these half-season jokes happen too much.. and finally they pay the salary. with Ogier it is a bit different story.. I bet that for some 8 reasons he can ask more things :D
Well, indeed he does. He probably still makes money from Kalles contracts. Nothing wrong with that. He invested in Kalle and wants his ROI.Quote:
Originally Posted by trykmann
Why is he still hanging around like a bad smell........he's been a right pain in the arse for the sport; how many non Finns have lost out to a drive because of him?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
You need to turn it the other way around. How many finns would have been hirstoric icons without Jouhki?Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Because he is doing his job very wellQuote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Maybe this was the deciding factor in Kalle choosing to go now, otherwise he had to commit to another TWO full-time years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I think this would have been negotiable. Kalle saying that I can do last year with rally1 but won't want to do Rally2+ otherwise I would retire from rallying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
So again he changed his mind? Just some time ago he said that in 2026 he won't do as much rallies as this year.
https://www.upload.ee/image/18710171/er.jpg
Of course he did.
He is clever as a fox and smart, he knows that Tänak and Neuville won’t stand a change against him with the Hyundai next year also and the title will be easy
Unless Tänak joins Toyota
As silly as it is Ogier still competing but right now it crucial if he will be here for at least one more year. We didn't had so much and interesting competition for a decade. And with Kalle gone, we lost one of them. Neuville, Evans, Ogier, Tanak. I don't see any other competing for wins and the title straight away. Only Formaux did show some promise last year, but he dissapoint in that part completely, so I don't consider him besides them. That's why I think Ogier should stay for a while. We need him and the sport need him.
But when you see Ott out of the car. he is pretty happy and something's have change his overall beeing. Like something is changing. He knows something and probably i think he is going to toyota and thats make him happy and look cool.
Maybe he means that his retirement wont be such shocking news as Kalle leaving the sport at such age.Quote:
Originally Posted by flat_right
I'm sorry but what? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
If Rovanpera and Ogier both leave (or Ogier drops to truly half a season), I hope Tanak stays at Hyundai. Tanak in a Toyota would dominate everything and be boring. Tanak-in-a-Hyundai vs Evans-in-a-Toyota is a battle.
Hearing from my finnish friend Paavo that rumours says Toyota will announce their team news for 2026, in Japan coming round. Then we´ll see...
Nothing new there, they have announced right after Japanese rally for the last couple of years
Yeah. I know. Still I didn´t tell what they´ll announce...Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Rumours say that Kankkunen will replace Pajari..
The bigger question is who is going to replace Kankkunen / Latvala, because apparently that is coming too.....Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
Seems they like the former Finnish world champions, Makinen was, Kankkunen, maybe Grönholm now?Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
Do you know what they'll announce?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Most probably:
-Toyota:
1. Evans
2. Katsuta
3. Pajari
4. Solberg
5. Ogier (''half season'')
Kankunnen (full time boss)
Latvala fully focus on his Celica
-Hyundai:
1. Neuville
2. Tanak
3. Fourmaux
Maybe Cyril get kicked in the butt
-M-Sport (have no clue, as all 3 drivers weren't performing well, but two of them are on learning stage)
Well, yeah partly. Like Kankkunen no full time boss... Maybe new team boss.Quote:
Originally Posted by flat_right