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Its quite obvious that Kimi is a very, very wealtht man whi could fund a good few years wrc driving without a big dent in his bank account. However, I think his management need him ti be in a funded / paid drive for their fees. Sordo on the other hand will probably find it harder to get the money with the way Spain's economy is,and I dont think the Carlos factor is so strong anymore, especially since the split with Marc Marti, who was Carlos' last co driver in wrc.
WRC is very sick when you can find paid drivers on fingers of one hand.. How much Kimi earned from Ferrari contract?! Very bad for sport promotion..
I was thinking the same, who wil pay Sordo next year, now thathe is set back to the junior team? Is he still a paid works driver, or a paying custumor? Red Bull will not pay anymore for 4 cars, but only for the Sebastien squad. Will we see Sordo in a DS3 WRCar coverd by Spanisch sponsors, like in 20006 in the Kronos Xsara?
I belive that Sordo has to find some sponsors, but that Citroen might pay a part of his driving, its good to remember that Loeb wont be in rally after next year, Sordo might be a good choise then again for Citroen.Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
Anyway, this's all sick.. It started to be an amateur sport for really rich guys..
Some people on the forum seem to welcome these sick village dogs with open arms for some reason.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Pablo MACHI from http://www.rallyreportnewsworld.com announces from facebook page that Petter Solberg will be official Citroen driver, along with Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier in 2011. The news translated via Google Translate is below. But the question is, is it in accordance with FIA rules, maintaining more than two drivers in the works team? No, I don't think so, it was in question to be reorganized as far as I'm concerned, any comments?
Quote:
Petter Solberg official Citroën will race in the 2011 WRC
Gallic group has determined that the structure will have three units made official its new weapon DS3 WRC of 1.6 cm3, with the big news of the inclusion of Norwegian Petter Solberg in the formation of the team based in Versailles in France.
With Sebastien Loeb Sebastien Ogier and the two other versions of the Citroën WRC 2011 that was presented at the Paris Motorshow with great success a few days ago.
While the Junior squad will have two cars WRC DS3 his new developments for its pilots, the Spanish "Dani" Deaf with the support of the subsidiary of the double chevron from Spain and promoted Kimi Raikkonen will continue under the command of Benoit Nogier with the financial support of Red Bull from Switzerland.
This indicates that the French brand is tipped with a dream team with Loeb and Solberg Ogier to go in search of repeating the title of the discipline among builders and pilots facing Ford with his usual staff of Hirvonen and Latvala Fiesta each with a new-generation RS WRC.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/wwwral...53624328006073
Thats awesome if true, Ford won't go too good thenQuote:
Originally Posted by muscrae
Good for Petter I guess but does that mean that Petter would then be subject to team orders?
I presume that he would be a Junior team entry with Dani.
I guess Kimi will either go back to F1, or switch to Monster Ford.
A manufacturer may/must enter with 2 cars, but can enter with more than 2 drivers.
The first car has a fixed driver and codriver.
The drivers of the second car may be changed for each rally.
So, what are the options for Solberg to get into a DS3?
- Share a car with Ogier. Solberg and Ogier as well won't settle for that.[/*:m:2onmz2x2]
- Loeb retires (he has a contract for 2011, but maybe he changes his mind), Ogier first car, Solberg second car or vice versa (Big if, but I don't think so).[/*:m:2onmz2x2]
- Solberg will continue with his private team and gets the fifth DS3.[/*:m:2onmz2x2]
- Solberg can't get the budget right and retires (I don't think so, Solberg is in his second youth, competing at the top)[/*:m:2onmz2x2]
- Solberg joins the junior team.[/*:m:2onmz2x2]
Every manufacturer can have a third car as well. This car is just not nominated for the points but can use the latest machinery. Qassimi was third official car in BP Ford this year for example. That means Citroen services the car and has all the rights to do whatever they want with the car. Then there is no possibility to dream about such a thing like Solberg World Rally Team anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyblog
However. This is not cleared what kind of machinery can be used by those drivers who are not competing under official Manufacturer umbrella (This year they were not allowed to use the latest machinery, but starting from next year... only the latest machinery is allowed :-)).
You're right indeed, so that would mean that Solberg joins the Citroën team (and in return supplies budget to run a manufacturer serviced DS3).Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
He can score points for the drivers championship but not for the manufacturer championship. Only when he swaps places with Ogier for certain rallies.
I't s a good option but it would be a pity of all the money invested in the Solberg WRT. He's so close to winning on 'own force'.
There is still Wales GB to go. I reality winning, and winning regularly is a massive ask for a private team. Petter's team is a true private team with very sparse resources unlike the Kronos private team of 2006 or even the David Sutton Rothmans private team of 1981 when Ari was champ.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyblog
Exciting if Solberg is 3rd official driver at Citroën Racing :bounce:
I have trouble believing it. Why ban Sordo to the junior team, while he knows everyone and everythink from the senior team, and is the second best tarmac driver and has a long lasting furure ahead of him and give his place to Solberg? Why not run Sordo as third works driver and switch nominations between Ogier and Sordo, as it is working pretty good this year?
Petter wil have troubles fitting in the team and act to instructions of the Citroen managers and engineers
Agree, but you cant deny you get a good laugh every time you read one idea more weird than the other.Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
I hear they're dumping the two Seb's and Dani and employing Galli and Solberg :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomi
lol, a real dream team :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
If it´s true I think it opens for PG in Ford factory team as well. :)
Senior or junior, it's the same team. They can use Sordo for manu points for whatever rally they like. Only #1 driver is locked. For me this solution seems very logical. They can use a third driver, but he can't get manu points. This way they can rent out a top spec car and they have full control over it.Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
Problem is that Citroen can't hand over their latest and most valuable technologies, to a private team. Without making sure, the "secrets" don't get out. This way, they can get the best from both.
What happens to PSWRT is another question. They probably just need to change their team shirts. S2000 or IRC could also be alternatives.
I think it would be a good solution If it would happen, I don't know.
The mechanics from PSWRT are from FXG Racing in France. Top rally mechanics change teams quite often, its not a career with a lot of job stabilty!. Almost everything else is a physical asset, trucks, awnings etc. These csn be sold or used in racing, rallycross, irc or whatever.
This is probably spot on, running in the "A" team will give him insuranse of having the best (latest) parts on his car, nobody knows the rules for "B" teams yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyblog
I guess we will see that his car will look wery different from Loeb/Ogier car, how (much) he can incorporate PSWRT into the manu team will be down to negotiation.
Being entered by the official Citroën team will offcource also ensure them that they wont be beat by a privater ;)
Not everything in place yet, but close:
Google-English: http://translate.google.no/translate...n&hl=&ie=UTF-8
I know Petter wants to win, but I rather see Petter win in IRC than slowing down by team order for the Sebastians in WRC.
I hope Petter invalidate that in Wales this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Viking
Ditto.Quote:
Originally Posted by tmx
If Petter is going to win a rally anytime soon, it has got to be RallyGB this year, doesnt it?
I mean, Leob has the title already, Ford seem to have lost the plot totally IMO or are focusing on the future, and Ogier may be the only real competitor with maximum motivation.
Go Petter!
I think it has a chance in Catalunya with the first day being gravel. He has a good start position on Friday and enough pace on tarmac.Quote:
Originally Posted by grugsticles
Petter racing around in a DS3: http://translate.googleusercontent.c...MYJGSUhEBk89PA
(Newspaper incorrectly says it's a C4)
Don't think so. Both manufacturers and pilots will want to add a line in their résumés : " Winner of the last 2l WRC rally. "Quote:
Originally Posted by grugsticles
Hard to read into that, whether its a PR exercise for Citroen Norway (obviously!) or a ploy to show his commitment to the Citroen brand to sway the decision of Mr Quesnel for the 2011 seasonQuote:
Originally Posted by blissard
Quote:
Originally Posted by blissard
It shakes a lot(see the shivering inside cameras)must be terribly uncomfortable on such gravel terrain :s
An american sponsor for Petter Solberg in 2011 ??? :confused:
Which one ?
John Henry, a figure of NASCAR(team owner)and owner of american soccer team, according to Autohebdo ;)
He is co-owner of Ford's Roush Fenway Racing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Well, after Petter had a chat with him he spent an awfull lot of money buying a lousy English footballteam (red shirts), so when the scousers are done with his wallet lets see if there is anything left...Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Petter has used uf his own money in Spain, he don't say how mutch, to be even more competetive.
Quote:
- I really want to win this event, says Petter Solberg. – And with dry conditions on the first day, I’m convinced we can do it. We will do whatever possible, and even some more, to finish at the top. It is not easy for a small private team to fight with the big manufacturers, so this time I have put in some of my private founding’s to be able to have a real chance up against the others.
Is there any more news on the offer from Citroen which Petter was 'excited' about?
Has he upgraded to the latest spec for the last rounds ?
What was the difference again ?
Says he paid up a million NOK (120k EUR) from his own pocket; for new engine and turbo. No mention if it's better spec.
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sp...cle3869881.ece