if neuville doesnt win the title this year both he and hyundai should agree to simply give up. honestly.
and let me say im a big neuville fan and have been cheering for him for ages
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if neuville doesnt win the title this year both he and hyundai should agree to simply give up. honestly.
and let me say im a big neuville fan and have been cheering for him for ages
I hope so :-DQuote:
Originally Posted by saco0o
Well, since we're calling it "Silly Season"...
Toyota:
Rovanpera
Evans
Ogier (any time he wants) + Katsuta (cannot be fired)
2-4 drives for Pajari, not for points, they won't want to rush him, it's spoiled too many young drivers, and Toyota can play the long game.
If Ogier retires in a strop over the point system, we might see Fourmaux or Solberg in the mix.
Hyundai:
Neuville - if he was going to leave, he would have done it already
Tanak
I fear Fourmaux, and it goes badly for him. Otherwise, similar to this year.
Ford:
Munster (or they quit R1 without the money he brings)
Fourmaux or Solberg on a "percentage of future earnings" deal. Solberg looks solid enough for that now.
Not Sesks, sorry Sesks fans.
does anybody see Gus returning to msport? (because "pay-ride")
No, I think that ship has sailed due to the costs involved with a Rally1 car.Quote:
Originally Posted by saco0o
He's also had a poor run of form since starting 2023 WRC 2 so well. I cant even see anyone helping him fund a drive. Sadly it seems he had his chance at the top level and never proved himself fast enough.
I think he left MSport mainly because he was tired of paying for a car with very bad reliability.
This year their reliability improved so I wouldn't rule out that he goes back. As you mention also has bad season with Skoda this year after fighting for title last year.
I think Gus found his level in WRC2 and he looks like a worthy contender there if he wants to keep at it. But if he'd rather drive M-Sport WRC1, and his dad has the money, M-Sport won't turn it down.
Plenty of drivers hoping for seat seems to be more gravel specialists than tarmac ones: Mikkelsen, Lappi, Solberg, Pajari, Sesks and unlikely to be back Paddon.
I am curious if that can be some opportunity for Mathieu Franceschi, especially if he will beat Paddon during rest of ERC season (all on tarmac). He is not exactly tarmac specialist but seems quite consistent on all surfaces. Also quite young, 25 years old.
Although I would probably go with Solberg/Pajari/Sesks and let them gain experience on tarmac as in future they could fight for titles.
Regarding Hyundais potential tarmac problem for next season, wouldn't Rossel be worth a try for the tarmac rounds?
Latvala on 2025 contracts...
'Of course, at the moment I think we are in quite a good position. We will try to keep the drivers for sure.
But then there are a few question marks like what Seb wants to do, does he want to drive next year? And then of course with Sami and so on, so there are a few points which we need to start clearing."
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/l...2025/10642476/