M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

As a former world champion, I'm sure that Tanak will be as demanding as Ogier was when he joined M-Sport - ensuring everyone gives their best and most professional work - and in a way that Breen never could've done.

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“But now we have a driver signed up for a full year who is capable, which gives us a huge opportunity. There are similarities to this year, but it does hark back to 2017 when we signed Ogier and we had an opportunity.

“At the same time, it brings its own challenges. We are going to have to up our game and we need to be the best we can be for Ott to have a chance of doing well next year.”

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

“But now we have a driver signed up for a full year who is capable, which gives us a huge opportunity. There are similarities to this year, but it does hark back to 2017 when we signed Ogier and we had an opportunity.

“At the same time, it brings its own challenges. We are going to have to up our game and we need to be the best we can be for Ott to have a chance of doing well next year.”

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Yes but unlike 2017 they don't have Tänak to support Tänak or even a Evans for that matter, more like 2018 in that respect.

From MSport/Tanak perspective if you want to take points away from Rovanpera, Evans or Neuville you need Rovanpera, Evans, Neuville, Tanak, Ogier or Loeb. Of course Greensmith or Loubet can be useful if one of the aforementioned has an issue they can slot themselves in front but otherwise it's hard to argue any of them can take points away from those drivers. The best you can do is first maximise Tanak's points and then slot drivers in front of rivals who have problems because the other good ones are taken. So for me the essental question how many rallies does Loeb do for MSport.

Also, Toyota and Hyundai were nowhere near the high level they currently are. And also, Tanak is nowhere near the level of Ogier.

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Originally Posted by seb_sh

From MSport/Tanak perspective if you want to take points away from Rovanpera, Evans or Neuville you need Rovanpera, Evans, Neuville, Tanak, Ogier or Loeb. Of course Greensmith or Loubet can be useful if one of the aforementioned has an issue they can slot themselves in front but otherwise it's hard to argue any of them can take points away from those drivers. The best you can do is first maximise Tanak's points and then slot drivers in front of rivals who have problems because the other good ones are taken. So for me the essental question how many rallies does Loeb do for MSport.

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It's not going to happen, sorry

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Originally Posted by Eli

Yes but unlike 2017 they don't have Tänak to support Tänak or even a Evans for that matter, more like 2018 in that respect.

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This is a different argument. I was just emphasising that Tanak will rightly be demanding and M-Sport will be enthused by him but also will have to deliver on their side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by seb_sh

From MSport/Tanak perspective if you want to take points away from Rovanpera, Evans or Neuville you need Rovanpera, Evans, Neuville, Tanak, Ogier or Loeb. Of course Greensmith or Loubet can be useful if one of the aforementioned has an issue they can slot themselves in front but otherwise it's hard to argue any of them can take points away from those drivers. The best you can do is first maximise Tanak's points and then slot drivers in front of rivals who have problems because the other good ones are taken. So for me the essental question how many rallies does Loeb do for MSport.

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Tanak knew the team situation when he signed and wasn't put off by the likely lack of 'supporting' team-mates. He probably thinks the other teams top drivers will mostly do the job in taking points off each other.

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

Tanak knew the team situation when he signed and wasn't put off by the likely lack of 'supporting' team-mates. He probably thinks the other teams top drivers will mostly do the job in taking points off each other.

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Agree, the most important thing is to maximize Tanak's points.

What are you lot going on about? Tanak left Hyundai in order to be somewhere as the unquestionable team leader and main focus. Why would he agree to a potential repetition of his experience with Neuville?

This whole "taking off points" thing is a totally weird concept to me. You can't really plan it in advance, just drive as good as you can, and to win the title you have to be faster than the others, also your teammates.

Especially when people talk about taking points off on power stages. How can you estimate that "I'm going to drive faster than my 1st drivers rivals but not as fast as my 1st driver". Of course it's a different issue if your 1st driver has retired, then just try to win the power stage for yourself.