[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

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Originally Posted by Lundefaret

- If the main goal (not normal in Citroën) is the drivers championhsip,

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I just don't agree with that one. Apart from 03, when Loeb was asked to sacrifice his personal chances for the manus title, the Citroen dominance was clearly a Loebcentric one. Until Ogier, the team 2nd driver choice never was the strongest one.

It's true that Matton already pointed the interest to form a powerful squad and fight for the manus title (he said something like not waste the 2nd car to keep forming young drivers) but maybe Meeke's outstanding exhibitions can make him think otherwise, and promote the Brit to an undisputed number one status, like in Loeb's days.

Btw, I'm probably wrong, but since Portugal Rally I beggan to believe that Neuville will stay at Hyundai...

Some time ago Citroen was pushing for Lefebvre as second driver, Matton was pushing for Neuville. Now after Finland I don't know.

Wait and see guys, wait and see.

All of your thoughts amd opinions on the 2017 line-ups wont change anything.

Let's enjoy 2016 first.

RT @RallyingUK: MICHELIN MOTORSPORT: @Michelin_Sport to introduce Pilot Sport FW2 WRC rain tyre. @OfficialWRC #WRC

https://o.twimg.com/2/proxy.jpg?t=HB...6YrAQGH8A9khLc

Hayden Paddon ‏@HaydenPaddon 6 Αυγ

We will be back!!! So happy to return to Rally Legend this year and do more of this #sideways 6-9 October @hmirally

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Originally Posted by dimviii

RT @RallyingUK: MICHELIN MOTORSPORT: @Michelin_Sport to introduce Pilot Sport FW2 WRC rain tyre. @OfficialWRC #WRC

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Return of specific rain tyres into the rules?

Heard some very interesting stories about next year line-ups over the weekend. There could be some really interesting ones if it all comes true or if the teams or drivers choose those ways.

We may have one very fast line-up in one team next year!

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

Heard some very interesting stories about next year line-ups over the weekend. There could be some really interesting ones if it all comes true or if the teams or drivers choose those ways.

We may have one very fast line-up in one team next year!

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Apart from VW? :D I really hope so. But that would probably be Citroen's. Cannot be Ford, Hyundai or Toyota, all those have too slow drivers already:D. So my guess is that Neuville will go to Citroen. That would also eliminate Hyundai from the manufacturers' title fight - Paddon isn't fast enough on tarmac and Sordo not on gravel.

Or Tänak would join Meeke? I'd count on Neuville anyway.

im not gonna say any names or teams because it is all just stories/rumors and there's a lot of ifs and so on but it was very interesting for me :)

Regarding Citroen i agree too with some here that Citroen definitely wants an French driver, in that sense Lefebvre has a lot more chance but Breen has a lot more potential IMO.

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Originally Posted by MM WRC

Paddon isn't fast enough on tarmac

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Not necessarily true and just as good an all-round driver as Neuville, and a better developer (if the Hyundai camp rumours are to be believed).

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

im not gonna say any names or teams because it is all just stories/rumors and there's a lot of ifs and so on but it was very interesting for me :)

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That's all we're doing anyway, rumours and ifs and buts are what makes the fun!

So, hurry up with those stories. :)

Yeah the forum is already quiet enough as it is - let alone if people stop speculating.

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

im not gonna say any names or teams because it is all just stories/rumors and there's a lot of ifs and so on but it was very interesting for me :)

Regarding Citroen i agree too with some here that Citroen definitely wants an French driver, in that sense Lefebvre has a lot more chance but Breen has a lot more potential IMO.

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Colin Clark ‏@voiceofrally

Hearing that @EsapekkaLappi tested the @TOYOTA_GR Yaris today. Also that @RovanperaRacing was testing also. Both only managed a few kms

Dunno where is Colin taking this...i didnt hear anything this at all but im not saying he isnt right.

what happened wih Petter?

Mads Østberg ‏@MadsOstberg

Sad to see @Petter_Solberg brought to hospital after a fantastic race weekend in Canada �� Fingers crossed you'll be back in no time! #WRX

After the race Marklund crashed into him from the back.

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Originally Posted by dimviii

what happened wih Petter?

Mads Østberg ‏@MadsOstberg

Sad to see @Petter_Solberg brought to hospital after a fantastic race weekend in Canada �� Fingers crossed you'll be back in no time! #WRX

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He got rear ended just after the chequered flag in the WorldRX final in Canada. Gone to hospital for checks.

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

Dunno where is Colin taking this...i didnt hear anything this at all but im not saying he isnt right.

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You working for Toyota now? ;)

I believe young Kalle has already been in the car? Shaking down a few bits. Surely after Finland Lappi is nailed on for a seat, and if he's been in the car then he;s a massive step closer.

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Originally Posted by Lundefaret

I dont think its that easy Jack4688.
Matton is in the same situation as Mäkinen, in that he needs to check with the factory what the strategy is/will be for the 2017 season - and beyond. And here we are talking about the marketing strategy, since every factory rally effort is a prolonged arm of the marketing department.
So for Matton, the questions will be:

1) Drivers championship or Manufacturer championship or both?
- If the main goal (not normal in Citroën) is the drivers championhsip, then they could have Meeke handle that, and this would open up for a younger, more inexperienced driver in the second seat. (Breen, Levfebre, Tanak, Sunninen, Lappi, Tideman, etc etc.)
- If the manufaturer championship is the aim, he wants to combine Meeke with an experienced driver that can go about collecting points in as many rallies as possible. Then the list is something like:
Neuville, Sordo, Østberg

2) How important are the nationality of the driver(s)?
- Would it be feasible that the marketing departement will allow an all Irish team?
- Would they want a French driver (Levefebre) or a French speaking one (Neuville?)

I think this is why its totally understandable that Matton has as many as 10 drivers on his list, and also I the answer to these questions is needed before he makes up his mind.

The same goes for Tommi: What is the aim for 2017, and 2018? How much risk do they want to take, do they want results from the first rally, or do they want to build for the future - etc etc :)

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There should be one more
3) or 1.5) If FIA changes the manufacturer points scoring rules so the best 2 of 3 will score points then most of the young guns can actually forget about having a factory seat. In this case the third car couldn't be driven by anybody inexperienced if a team wants to maximize its chances.

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Originally Posted by Mariusz

There should be one more
3) or 1.5) If FIA changes the manufacturer points scoring rules so the best 2 of 3 will score points then most of the young guns can actually forget about having a factory seat. In this case the third car couldn't be driven by anybody inexperienced if a team wants to maximize its chances.

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Given a couple of teams are talking about running two cars I think we have to assume this rumoured rule isn't happening.

And even if it did - where are these 15 experienced and quick WRC drivers? I count 10 or 11 max. Same as where are all these tarmac specialists Capito was so worried about? It's 2016.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Return of specific rain tyres into the rules?

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A NEW MICHELIN WET-WEATHER TYRE DESIGNED FOR IMPROVED SAFETY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITORS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NEXT WEEKEND’S ADAC RALLYE DEUTSCHLAND (18 - 21 AUGUST).

Advertising

Following calls from drivers, Michelin has developed the Pilot Sport FW2 (Full Wet 2) to combat aquaplaning on WRC asphalt rounds in the event of heavy rain.

The key feature of this second-generation version of Michelin’s wet-weather tyre is its specific, heavily-grooved and symmetrical 18-inch tread pattern with channels that clear water to the sides. This provides enhanced grip and traction, both in a straight line and when cornering.

The French firm’s WRC programme manager Jacques Morelli explained: “The clearance capacity of the Michelin Pilot Sport FW2 marks an improvement over that of the Michelin Pilot Sport H5/S5. Thanks to its narrower tread compared with the Michelin Pilot Sport H5 and S5 and its deeper grooves, the contact patch has been doubled in heavy rain.”

The new tyre is intended for extreme conditions only, and teams will be restricted to an allocation of eight tyres per car per rally. It will be limited to sealed-surface events, with ADAC Rallye Deutschland followed consecutively in 2016 by Rally China-Beijing (8 - 11 September), Tour de Corse - Rallye de France (29 September – 2 October) and the part-asphalt RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España (13 - 16 October).

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...2--12-12-.html

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Originally Posted by dimviii

A NEW MICHELIN WET-WEATHER TYRE DESIGNED FOR IMPROVED SAFETY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITORS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NEXT WEEKEND’S ADAC RALLYE DEUTSCHLAND (18 - 21 AUGUST).

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What an irony considering the reasoning behind the removal of rain tyres few years a go...

Episode 28.


http://www.autosport.com/news/report...ke-finland-win

Classy guy is Jost.

A better reply from Meeke would have been "See you next Tuesday!" Although that might have been lost in translation.

He's correct but it doesnt need to be said in such a way after every rally.

Three Championships and a 4th on the way but he still wont show a bit of sportsmanship.

He should at least acknowledge that the current road order has given fans a bit of variety on the gravel events, which the WRC sorely needed...

krismeeke.com ‏@krismeeke
https://twitter.com/autosport/status/762671309843271680 …

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f912.pnghttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f4a8.png

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpWR1-NWYAASsuO.jpg

:D

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Originally Posted by EightGear

Episode 28.


http://www.autosport.com/news/report...ke-finland-win

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This is off course politics, and Capito is running Ogiers errands, but you would think a man like Capito would be a bit more elegant in his statements.
Sweeping is definitely a factor, no two ways about it, and in my analysis I have Latvala as the winner if all started on same grip level. But Meeke still has to drive every stage, do a fantastic Ouninpohja, and that with only a part program this year, and less experience than many of his competitors. So its not like this victory was a case of just showing up, just look at Tänak.

I think rallying, and scociety in general, should be about the opportunity to speak your meaning, but to say something like that Meeke should not enjoy his win, hmmm... If that is really what he said, I think that is a non clever way to communicate as the boss of a great sports team.

What about Latvala in Mexico? Following his resent logic Capito should then have gone out saying that Jari Matti shouldn't enjoy his win (like Ogier said).
I have a feeling that there is a certain French driver that is voicing his opinion in no uncertain terms whitin the team, and threatens to quit if he doesnt get his way.

Exactly, he's making a fair point but his words are very poorly chosen.

Saying Meeke would 'look like an idiot' if he finished 2nd is completely unnecessary.

So when Ogier wins in Germany from first on the road, will he say it has no value and Ogier shouldn't feel like he deserved it, as he had the best conditions and therefore an unfair advantage?

He's just a kid making his childish statements, we shouln't even bother with him, hopefully he'll be gone rather soon...

So what we do know, regarding silly season, for sure is that Meeke not going to VW in 2017.

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

So what we do know, regarding silly season, for sure is that Meeke not going to VW in 2017.

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and Ogier not in Citroen ;)

When is he going? It's taking forever...

citroen fan trolling Capito at twitter

Fredrik Gustavsson ‏@F_Gustavsson

Good morning WRC friends.
If you feel like a complete idiot today, give thumbs up���� #WRC

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpZnTN_XYAAyczl.jpg

When is that fucking loser going to join his ladyboy friends in F1 ?

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Originally Posted by Munkvy

So when Ogier wins in Germany from first on the road, will he say it has no value and Ogier shouldn't feel like he deserved it, as he had the best conditions and therefore an unfair advantage?

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And if (I think when) Ogier doesn't win in Germany, I wonder what is Capito going to tell us then?

There's no reason to blame the road order if Ogier doesn't win the afternoon stages.

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Originally Posted by MM WRC

And if (I think when) Ogier doesn't win in Germany, I wonder what is Capito going to tell us then?

There's no reason to blame the road order if Ogier doesn't win the afternoon stages.

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But the yoghurt pots are taking very different lines!

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Originally Posted by EightGear

But the yoghurt pots are taking very different lines!

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If only there were some way that Capito could satisfactorily manage a race team without all these awful unfair things happening.

Like if there was a running format, for example, a closed loop circuit, where slower cars are run in completely separate races and can't interfere with his guys' lines.

And it were only on a surface where running order advantages the first runner, or doesn't advantage anyone. Like tarmac. If the WRC were like THAT, he'd be happy.

Also, the format of a multi-day rally is such a hassle, and as we know from the shootout plan, he thinks that TV viewers aren't interested unless everything is at stake in a two hour timeslot on Sunday evening.

You could call it Formula something...

It's not just something. It is Formula Capito.

I'm not fan of a 1-2-3 but I hope those guys will give some of you a decent feedback in stage times soon.