http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVJGoWAukbY
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Yes, he is very good, the best driver and crew in the moment, no matter which car. I remember him and Julien very well from his first WRC 2008 in Mexico, he replace Bonato in FFSA team, first time in C2 S1600, first time with no experience in top ralling and first win! Great guy and one of the most talented driver in the world. Whish him and Julien everything the best in further career.Quote:
Originally Posted by kober
Not aware of any BS written about Andreas - YETQuote:
Originally Posted by awake27
I expect Norway's 4th best driver (they keep forgetting the old lady who drives the Sno-Cat at Tromso) to be 3rd in Portugal ;)
My short comment of the 1.day :
- Ogier: I agree with all here, he is a future winner, if the Polo won't break, he is and will be unbeatable.
- Mads Ostberg : for me still a big positive surprise. If he will stay in front of Mikko, great result.
- Mikko Hirvonen : if I'm honest, I was expecting fight for a victory. As he showed nothing special, he is even behind Mads, clearly big disappointment 4me.
- Neuville : very, very solid performance. He is still on the road, if he retains fourth place, he can be very proud.
- Sordo : second Citroen driver, who let my expectation down....
- Al Attiyah : according to expectation
- Ken ''the Kid'' Block : well, his Fiesta is still in one piece on the road, he has a solid lead in front of local WRC driver and Prokop, who has x-more experince on the gravel. So, thumb up.
- Atkinson : I hope he will show at least one or two top three stage finishes.
You should watch Kummeli with more attention. It's "synkkä ei rallille", which in this case is even more appropriate. Latvala never learns. He always makes it hard for himself. I've hang on there with support for years now, and I'm not giving up the support, it's just that nowadays everytime these news come (and they will come), I feel for it less and less. It's numbness. Perhaps he still thinks it's better to crash and burn than just take the safe 3rd or 4th position. But within walking distance from the stage/rally start... no way to do it. We haven't seen Mikkelsen in Polo yet, but it's true that for Latvala it isn't going to make it any easier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Juha_Koo
I didn't have much time to follow the rally yesterday, but apart from Ogier expected effective performance the driver of the day must be Östberg. It's clearly showing already that his step up to M-Sport main team gives him boost in performance, comes it from the car or more mileage in the testing, no matter, it's there.
Q. Thierry Neuville has had a strong rally so far. This morning he wasn’t receiving splits into the car. He said he didn’t like it but his times were good. This afternoon did you let him have splits to improve the performance or not?
Malcolm Wilson: “I said earlier that it would be best not to give them to him and I think I’ve been proved right because this morning he was really strong. He’s been getting the splits this afternoon and he’s lost more time. So no more splits for Thierry.”
Full pressconference - World Rally Championship - News - Team bosses reflect: Friday in Mexico
I think this retirement was more bad luck than a real mistake from Latvala, because the stone was clearly on the racing line... So maybe this time, we should give him some credits.
As for Mikkelsen: I just don't believe in him, I think he will crash more than Latvala, he isn't learning anything and keeps on crashing (at least in IRC he was). I don't think Latvala should be afraid of him....
I'm looking forward to Mikkelsen in the WRC, pleasant guy with a serious attitude to his rally. All the young guys crash a lot, it is only to be expected. The problem with JML is we would expect him to grow out of it a bit more by now - though I totally agree this weekend was not an error of judgement and more bad luck. Looking forward to what he can do today, but maybe not too much starting at the front...
First day wrap:
- Ogier; as expected, rally not over yet, things can happen.
- Latvala; unluck, but as his fellow countryman lack of Sisu, maybe just like FCB at the moment...
- Mikko; maybe tactics, he´s still up there, let´s wait and see. LAck of Sisu and needs a boss who gives him correct orders what to do.
- Ostberg; very good, does what expects of him, one of possible three winners in this rally.
- Neuville; fast and gaining experience all the time. Will be a future champ.
- Novikov; this time unlucky; what have been his position if no trouble?
- Sordo; too much pressure or not as fast as everyone expected; maybe he has peaked? Or too much pressure bringing the car home?
- Atko; need more mileage; let´s wait and see.
- Prokop; not fast. Could be replaced by many drivers who is faster.