Meeke, probably a waste.Quote:
Originally Posted by ggg377
But the answer is Lappi and Latvala. Alternative Ostberg. The one bringing own money will be the driver.
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Meeke, probably a waste.Quote:
Originally Posted by ggg377
But the answer is Lappi and Latvala. Alternative Ostberg. The one bringing own money will be the driver.
They could act on a rally-by-rally basis with driver's coming in for their best or favourite events...Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Nothing new in the Toyota announcement, so a disappointment.
As discussed multiple times I thought nl it bad both for Toyota and Rovanpera to put him in 3rd while expecting to win manu title.
In a way this lineup is a repeat of MSport 2018, just swapping Suninen with a guy that never drove a WRC car. That lineup had no chance in manu champ even against much weaker Hyundai/Toyota lineup than the one Hyundai is bringing to 2020.
Could be but I don't think so. Greensmith could be the 3rd driver as money is not the issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Latvala just said at Yle's Finnish interview that he is not in talks with M-Sport.
Rumors about Gryazin driving for M-Sport next year.
https://twitter.com/MiikaWuorela/sta...87402228535298
Quote:
Originally Posted by abcrally
However, if or no talks, I guess he will not tell if there are talks.
So Msport possibly taking money from Suninen, Greensmith and Gryazin?Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
While the likes of Mikkelsen, Paddon, Meeke, Latvala, maybe Lappi, Ostberg and Breen are without full wrc drives....
Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
I think it’s clear that Hyundai will be favourites for the manufacture title next year, and probably Toyota accept that and are looking to 2021 with Evans and Rovanpera. Big opportunity for both to lead the team after next year, particularly Evans...up to them to use it.
If they don’t there will be a prime seat up for grabs in 2021...
Giving up 2020 manu doesn't line up with Toyoda giving them a goal of winning both titles next year just 2 weeks ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by doubled1978
That one's got Neuville's name on it IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by doubled1978
Yes indeed, but if he gets beaten by Tanak, will they want him?Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Hyundai are trying to find partners to run a 2nd team with MikkelsenQuote:
Originally Posted by er88
Im sure that is the goal, but with that line up at Hyundai, chances would be slim whichever drivers they got alongside Ogier.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Besides, they can’t publically give up can they...
Yes they will. He is still one of the big three, maybe next year the only one real challenger to Mr. Tanak. Except if Rovanpera develops so fast or Evans steps up to become regular podium (or winner) finisher.
Wow, someone was saying that in 2020 they will be back...Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
Would be great if it’s possible. If it happens, and with Latvala/Katsuta doing some rallies we could end up with more WRC cars on some events than last year despite Citroen leaving...
I'm just worried if Veiby will be picked over proven fast guys. He is nowhere, sorry but is true.
I recall Abu-Dhabi Racing making such statement some 12 months ago...Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
I don't see much pint in that neither for Mikkelsen nor for Hyundai.Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
Only reason for Mikkelsen would be that he won't ne sitting at home.
I know Meek like to ride bikes, maybe going Dakar style rallies instead?
Ola Has a lot of experience from both co-driving and bikes and there were some plans to run the old factory Peugeot 3008 but i haven't heard anything for a while
Wasn't there plans to allow private teams to have manufacturer points?Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
If so a 2nd Hyundai team could steal points off the other teams.
As far as I know, Paddon will join the TCR New Zealand series next year. Latvala said he wants to do some stages with TGR and that M-Sport is out of the question for him. Breen and Mikkelsen are hoping for a Hyundai satellite team. I think it's safe to say either or both of them will get to do rallies Sweden, Finland and GB with Hyundai as Sordo and Loeb won't go there. The drivers who can only hope for a spot in M-Sport are Lappi, Ostberg and Meeke. Supposedly Ostberg has some bad blood there? I don't realistically see Meeke in M-Sport either. Very inconsistent, crashes a lot, last thing Wilson needs in the team. When Hyundai's plans fall through, Breen and Mikkelsen will join the fight. But yeah, at the end of the day we might see a lineup such as Suninen, Greensmith and Gryazin. Certainly many strange things happening this silly season, which no one could have predicted.
It would suit Hyundai, they can technically keep hold of a drivers incase they need him in 2021 when Loeb/Sordo both might leave/retire.Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
But I don't see why Mikkelsen would want that. Adamo doesn't seem to trust him, and Adamo either trusts a driver or he doesn't. I don't see that changing now. Mikkelsen has been benched/dropped and now punted for good out the main team, he should really be doing everything in his power to get in at Msport. Even if it means paying a lot (if he can find some budget), or running just a half season there.
Then he can kick start his career again, and in 2021 there could be the possibility to go to Toyota to replace Ogier, continue with Msport, or go back to Hyundai (he really shouldn't).
He will never be more than a backup driver at Hyundai, Neuville is a clear level above him in that car now (they were always close in IRC days and then Mikkelsen moved slightly ahead, although that was at a dominant VW). If Mikkelsen stays at Hyundai in a 2nd team he will continue to be poor on tarmac with the car, probably will be left competing in a car that won't be developed like the main teams i20, won't test as much, and probably still be expected to slow down for Tanak/ Neuville etc when he does get ahead of them in rallies. The only advantage I see for Mikkelsen staying at Hyundai in some capacity, is it keeps him busy ( which admittedly could be a big factor in him accepting anything)
My understanding – as it stands – is that Greensmith, Gryazin and Tidemand will contest WRC2 with M-Sport ('factory' WRC2 cars) with a number of events split across them in a third M-Sport WRC car. Would help with new R5 development. Suninen locked in as the lead WRC driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Mikkelsen is looking at a fourth sponsor-lead Hyundai (with Breen plugging that one or two rally Sordo/Loeb gap) and not M-Sport.
Latvala is trying to be loyal to Toyoda and find backers for some rounds in a Yaris with a view on 2021 when Ogier retires. Would be a private effort run out of a tent next to the main squad. Again, not looking at M-Sport, at least now.
Ostberg has burnt too many bridges at M-Sport, even though I believe he'd do a good job. His career in the top class hinged on Citroen and they pulled the plug on that. He may continue in a C3 R5 next season, however.
A shame for Camilli as he was being bred as Citroen's next WRC star. I believe there were conditions promised if he did well in Spain, which he duly delivered on. Sad times.
If Paddon can find the cash, M-Sport will provide a car. As they will to anyone with the cash. Not convinced it's possible this time after the unfortunate events of 2019, but fingers crossed for at least a go at Rally NZ.
This leaves Lappi and Meeke to fight it out for the second M-Sport seat. Smells like it's closer to Lappi, but perhaps only because when it's situations like this, Kris doesn't say anything to anyone or post online. At this point, nothing is signed.
Huh, good spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
Apparently there's history between Malcolm and Meeke, so Meeke to Msport is always a no-go.
However I don't know whether that's just rumours that people have run with over the years, or whether it's genuine.
WRC 2 for Hyundai, not in the main game.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
This softened in 2018 after the Citroen fiasco. They had negotiations for Kris to drive this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
I wonder why Latvala has completely discarded M-Sport, if he could surely find backing for a program with them.
Thanks for the info. I remember Kris alluding that he had options from all the WRC teams for 2019 and had spoken to Msport, so I guess if there has been a line of communication open, there's a small chance for 2020. Lappi seems more like a typical Msport "investement" though due to his age and potential.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobJones
Although maybe Msport would want a fast experienced driver like Meeke to provide a speed reference to Suninen + all the other young drivers that will get drives. And Meeke has knowledge from Toyota and Citroen so could help advise Msport on future car development, because Msport have history of falling behind their rivals the longer a cars lifespan is.
If we believe all the comments above then Lappi is the only option for M-Sport's 2nd car. 3rd car goes to whoever pays.
Probably because he hopes to keep up the ties with the company and maybe also do some other work at the team. I could see him driving the gravel notes car for Kalle.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
So we could have the folowing line up?
Toyota:
Ogier
Evans
Rovanperra
Katsuta in 4th car for some rally's
Hyundai:
Neuville
Tanak
Loeb
Sordo
M sport:
Suninen
Lappi
Greensmith
Private Toyota for Latvala on some rally's (like sead here semi official, close to Toyota team)
Hyundai sattelite team whit Mikkelsen and Breen
If this Hyundai 2 team would actualy come true, i could see Ostberg having a go there also.
Meeke has had his chanses i think, but i must agree i would mis him if he isnt there in 2020. For Paddon things dont look that good ether..
Whit al these free top drivers it seems like a perfect time to see some private teams.. (remember Stobart, Munchi's, Adapta, Redbull skoda,..)
Meeke chances aren’t looking good (no confirmation of an early sign with Toyota), but it’d be great having him sharing MSport 3rd car with Greensmith (hard to believe Gryazin will drive it next year).Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
Oh dear, I predict a lot of written-off chassis'sQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Well all three drivers in Toyota are Red Bull drivers but I hope the Red Bull money goes elsewhere, Toyota don’t need it.Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
I could also see Mikkelsen and Østberg in the same team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Duvel
regarding private teams, the Wrc cars of today are very expensive to buy and maintain, so I am not too optimistic. Would love privat teams to happen, but all I Could see is Citroens, and not many would like to drive them.
maybe some Fords are possible, but I Am guessing few others.
"Private" Team couldn´t it also mean just putting money in and factory teams manage and maintain cars under own roof?
I mean a lot of logistics to save.
But downside would mean Factory teams have to expand facilties, transports etc...
I don't believe that Hyundai are willing to put their cars available for buying or renting. They said it couple of years ago that they don't allow that. Except old gen cars.
Toyota I think is more open for that but only for a selected drivers not anyone.
M-Sport is free and are happy of anyone driving their cars, so easiest solution is their cars.
Citroen, nah. Why would anyone bother if the car is so bad that even the best drivers of the world left them. Only Ostberg could get them a go, but I think he will rather look elsewhere now.
Depends if he can get the latest update of the Citroen, with the new aero and suspension etc..Lappi already said it was quite a big improvement. Might be worth it for 1 season if he can, after that lack of development will hinder.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse