exactly...Lindroos is a nobody outside finland and it will take far more resources to develop him .... so its better to invest in someone who doesn't need too much schooling....
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exactly...Lindroos is a nobody outside finland and it will take far more resources to develop him .... so its better to invest in someone who doesn't need too much schooling....
It seems that they are picking a youngster from each remaining country. Will be interesting to see which young Brit gets picked, if any. Also, what about France…. a French youngster driving for a German team??
Maybe then, for next year they will pick the best 2-3 drivers for a campaign in a S2000 in the S-WRC or even IRC for building up experience.
Nasser Al Attiyah was due to sign the 3 years VW contract at the Nurburgring 24 hours, but reports say he refused because his personal sponsor (Barwa?) prefers to trust on the Mini (BMW) option. to defend the Dakar title and have a full program in 2012 wit the Mini WRCar. Al Attiyah only misses Monte Carlo, because he is bussy in South America.
NOT, if I'm not mistaken Hänninen, before he came to Škoda, did only one asphalt event at all (Tour de Corse with Evo IX). His progress came because some people weren't like You and gave him the chance. I really don't think his asphalt took so long...Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
he actually did at least 3 WRC tarmac rounds, two in Spain an Tour de Corse. But before Skoda gave him the chance in IRC, he had already contested twice the whole of PWRC calendar in 2007 and 2008, where he finished 2nd overall. it is not exactly the same situation with Lindroos. hopefully he will be given a chance outside Finland, to prove something and be the next rally star from FinlandQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
If they have the rumoured large budget, why not make an open day in Germany where youngsters without much experience could drive with some one professional to avaluate what they got, it worked for Citroen ( Loeb, Ogier FFSA). Im sick of seeing always the same drivers get tons of chances and ending up crashing tons of cars or not showing results, and they continue burning through cash and squashing other people's opportunities.
Red Bull has done it some years ago and came up with Andreas Aigner. Which was a reasonable option, considering the limitation of a German speaking only shoot out. Volkswagen can shoot out any talent from every nation.
I agree, Joonas is nobody. But they still choose him. I just wonder why?Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Can you name some one who is young enough and doesn't need schooling? Tänak has five years deal with Ford. Is he ready? Prokop also, is he ready? Boufier and Neuville? Are they ready?
All youngsters need miles and miles and miles. On gravel. On tarmac. As much that its possible. That is the only way. But first you have to be fast in your home ground. Then you might get a chance. Hänninen drove thousands of kilometers testing in tarmac and now you can see the results.
Looking at the press release I can see VW adopting the senior / junior team approach, so 2 places may be up for grabs. I also think they have a good idea who they'd like already but are seeing how the chosen triallists compare with experienced Skodaistes. Remember, the drivers selected can continue their development through to 2013 (i.e the rest of this season and all of next.). Tanak may have a 5 year deal with Ford but for what? All contracts can be ended by appropriate compensation. Hanninen and Kopecky must be the yardstick for the triallists. Bouffier, Neuville, Tanak, Weijs, Abbring and Wilks are all possibles as are Sandell, Grondal, Paddon and Flodin. It will be interesting to see if the VW entry is still made for those events not having an SWRC roundQuote:
Originally Posted by donlorean
As for schooling, Weijs sat in the Skoda for only 2 hrs prior to Ypres and finished 2nd of the non-Loix entries. True talent has a habit of being clear to see, Weijs and Tanak are my predictions
Mr hanninen attended a tarmac rally school in italy at his own expense if i am not mistaken, so i expect if anyone wants to become a manufacturer driver to spend some of his own money...i doubt any serious manufacturer would pay a driver and develop him from scratch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek