I agree with you. I think that it would be better for the team to put Adrien in Rally2 .
He was good last year and he proved that he deserved Rally1 seat.
Also this year, he disappointed everyone.
But on the other side, there is Red Bull money.
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Fourmaux is a future top driver. You do not win WRC stages in not the best car if you have not talent and bravery. This year I believe he just was not allowed to crash, but he did anyway. If he had money, he would battle for championship with Rovanpera from 2024. But he has not.
So, this year almost everybody with Rally1 car except Serderidis (and Solberg) has won stage in WRC. Including Loubet, Greensmith, Katsuta and even Josh McErlean with Rally2 car. And there were more curious stage winners in the last years. So winning stage in WRC is not proof that you are future top driver...
I dont have the best memory, ok? But IN MY HEAD, Formaux did ONE 'ok' rally and everybody went "OHH HE IS SUCH A TALENTED DRIVER! GOTTA GET HIM!.... but then he only crashed. Now Loubet did ONE 'ok' rally and everybody is "OHH HE IS SUCH A TALENTED DRIVER! GOTTA GET HIM!! ...but he will not perform like we imagine.
Not saying they are "not talented" haha WHO AM I to say that, but they are just "regular drivers" that will not be a big name in WRC... at least I dont see it. WRC2 would be more interesting. Hope that doesnt sounded disrespectfull!
I disagree with you completely on Loubet part, IMO he is the most talented one from all the m-sport boys, and maybe even solberg. The problem was before he was hit by a car he was stuck in a shit hyundai with old parts. And this year in a new car which probably isnt a top tier car he has shown real pace and even led a rally for a moment, and finished 4th in the end, and not by luck like solberg or formaux or greensmith usualy do when they finish high in the ranks. I really hope he can do full season or few rallies more than this year
Fourmaux has three WRC stage wins to his career
Safari 2021: using a shortcut
Estonia 2022: super special
Safari 2022: fastest drivers didn't complete the stage because the stage was red flagged when Solberg got stuck
I have to give credit to Greensmith for winning a stage in Monte, or a very long and difficult stage in New Zealand, but other than that he's been disappointingly slow this year (and also crashing now twice)
But this is one of the most important questions - the answer should say, how one can come a world champion.
My point of view (so to point out, it's just an opinion and if yours is different, I'm ok if you have different):
Baseline - he always had speed, but he didn't win too many rallies and titles because he also crashed and overdrive a lot.
Crashes and combination with hard to handle attitude he got kicked off. But straight forward "no BS" feedback also has positive side (at least from Mr. Wilson point of view).
Thank's to this baseline he got opportunities to come back more than one time.
This exception (many opportunities) is nowadays a base for hope for everyone who was kicked of - "but look, Tänak came back many times". But did they have the same raw speed as Tänak? And the same technical (mechanic) background - knowledge how cars (should) work?
Now the actual key question - what was changed, before finally come back and start winning rallies. For me, it's mindset. How to handle pressure, how to keep concentrated, what is important and what is not important. If I remember/understood correctly, he has/had separate person in the team for that role.