[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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27th January 2011, 18:34
rp

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Lindstroem

I suppose that would be Ford then. Cant see Citroen being interested in anything else than a frenchman.. =)

Ford/M-Sport have already Ott Tänak and he has a five year plan. Hirvonen is good enough second driver and Latvala will lead the team, so I doubt that Hänninen or Ford are interested each others. But maybe some other manufacturer is coming...
27th January 2011, 19:25
Tomi

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Lindstroem

I suppose that would be Ford then. Cant see Citroen being interested in anything else than a frenchman.. =)

Dont belive everything you read, why would Skoda skip the only one who can drive a rallycar in their team?
27th January 2011, 19:51
MJW

Too soon to speculate what happens in 2012 before 2011 starts. Who knows maybe if Loeb is not comfortable in Citroen this year, he and the Red Bull sponsorship maybe VW bound. If VW come in what better way of short circuiting their learning curve than offering big money to Loeb and buy his knowledge and experience? Maybe Loeb wont feel so comfortable in "his team" this year and a big top up to the retirement fund by signing a two year VW deal could be in the offing.
Whoever else is at VW I think Hanninen will be there.
27th January 2011, 19:58
pettersolberg29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomi

Lol what have you been told, what team? and who is colin clark?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomi

Dont belive everything you read, why would Skoda skip the only one who can drive a rallycar in their team?

I'm not forcing you to believe me - it's up to you. And Colin Clark is probably the most famous rally journalist in the world - does stage end reports for WRR and does TotalRally and occasionally writes in Motorsport News. I think he knows his stuff.
And you are obviously just giving us some bait to bite onto - Juho is a good driver, but Mikkelsen and Kopecky aren't novices and they can both handle a rallycar. Skoda would be foolish to pass over Juho, but then again Ford would be foolish to pass over Petter but it happened anyway. Politics are a bigger part of motorsport than most like to think.
27th January 2011, 20:03
bluuford

Yes, Juho has proved that he can fight only against himself in IRC. In MC he also proved that when the conditions are stable, then there is no match for him. Like I said at the end of last year, the only match for him in IRC was Meeke. Meeke also left to WRC and I cannot see anyone as fast and STABLE as Juho in IRC.
27th January 2011, 20:10
Tomi

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

I'm not forcing you to believe me - it's up to you. And Colin Clark is probably the most famous rally journalist in the world - does stage end reports for WRR and does TotalRally and occasionally writes in Motorsport News. I think he knows his stuff.
And you are obviously just giving us some bait to bite onto - Juho is a good driver, but Mikkelsen and Kopecky aren't novices and they can both handle a rallycar. Skoda would be foolish to pass over Juho, but then again Ford would be foolish to pass over Petter but it happened anyway. Politics are a bigger part of motorsport than most like to think.

So what is the team you are talking about then, please tell?
27th January 2011, 20:16
dimviii

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJW

Too soon to speculate what happens in 2012 before 2011 starts. Who knows maybe if Loeb is not comfortable in Citroen this year, he and the Red Bull sponsorship maybe VW bound. If VW come in what better way of short circuiting their learning curve than offering big money to Loeb and buy his knowledge and experience? Maybe Loeb wont feel so comfortable in "his team" this year and a big top up to the retirement fund by signing a two year VW deal could be in the offing.
Whoever else is at VW I think Hanninen will be there.

Ιn this scenario Ogier will be alone in Citroen? maybe Juho?
27th January 2011, 20:16
Hartusvuori

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

And Colin Clark is probably the most famous rally journalist in the world.

Martin Holmes, anyone? But I know Colin too.
27th January 2011, 20:49
RS

Quote:

Originally Posted by rp

We will see, but Juho has already during the last year showed what he is able to do... And there is no doubt that he is ready for the fight with the big boys. There is no sense for Skoda to send him to drive S-WRC unless there is a plan. During this year he and the BRR Skoda collect the information of the WRC events and this data will be the base of the VW´s WRC effort. Their planned Word Rally Car must be based to Polo and it will be rather easy to modify current Fabia Super 2000 to be this VW`s World Rally Car.

Exactly, I don't think Juho is in sWRC this year to learn how to drive or for the competitiveness of that series. In fact I think he rather has his eyes on some strong overall finishes in WRC rallies this year and of course learning those WRC events for the future.

Whether or not the future VAG WRCar is a Skoda or a VW, Fabia Polo or Scirocco the Fabia is a great test mule for the 1.6T engine.
27th January 2011, 21:10
pettersolberg29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Martin Holmes, anyone? But I know Colin too.

I suppose - I was thinking more along the lines of radio journalists, but I suppose not everyone listens to WRR or TotalRally. Holmes is probably the best journalist though, you're right.

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