Paddon is a possible driver for Hyundai.
Hanninen and Meeke would be a preferable combination from a marketing perspective. Meeke - British/ Irish and Hanninen - Finland-Northern European.
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Paddon is a possible driver for Hyundai.
Hanninen and Meeke would be a preferable combination from a marketing perspective. Meeke - British/ Irish and Hanninen - Finland-Northern European.
From a marketing perspective Paddon with either Meeke or Hanninen would be preferable for maximum trans-continental exposure. Remember Hyundai are selling in Europe but also have a major market in the Pacific / SE Asia. So an Antipodean would be a sensible fit for Oz / NZ publicity even doing the odd Asia / Pacific round!Quote:
Originally Posted by Humber
I'm with Mr. A.F.F. here I have the feeling it won't happen.
My comment was not directed to you because I was sure you knew that already. If I had that intention I’ve quoted your post :) . It was intended for information purposes only, if someone has missed the news.Quote:
Originally Posted by Motorsportfun
Beeing on this forum for over five years I think I have some kind of a view who is who on this forum :) .
South Korea is really a booming economy and the whole Hyundai group is a really healthy company in terms of earnings. I am pretty sure the project will happen, but I guess they would prefer to have at least one WRC round in Asia for marketing reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
I know that Ford and Citroën wanted most on the WRC events in Europe and Latin America, but now that Ford has left and Citroën will leave for the WTCC, then the WRC rounds would likely be decided on the wishes of VW and Hyundai as they will be the only full time factory teams.
Citroen have only said that they will consider entering the WTCC. And even if they, I have seen nothing to indicate that their WRC programme will end.
I know from private sources in the WTCC that Citroën is confirmed for 2014 - and there is no way they will continue in both WRC and WTCC at the same same. The PSA Group is in big financial troubles and they cannot justify running in both series, especially while they are figthing with the French government over laying off thousands of people at their factory in France. So you can fully count on no factory WRC team in the WRC in 2014.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys
So Citroën's strategy will be to persuade the Loeb brand as agreed, so they will do WTCC in 2014. Furthermore it's almost certain that Renault will enter WTCC in 2014, which would be a good fight between the two French companies. Three time WTCC champion Yvan Muller is expected to be announced as Renault's leading driver in the WTCC for 2014.
Regarding Citroën and WRC, then they might continue through PH-Sport, but not as a factory team backed with factory money - only sponsorship-deals. In a way the same deal as Peugeot did with Bozian Racing in 2006 running as an M2/MT team.
Regarding WRC, it's far more interesting to see what PSA will do with the Peogeot brand. It was quite a surprise that they left the new FIA WEC series before it even began .... that could indicate that PSA might only support the Citroën brand in the comming years.
Thought the speculation was that PSA would promote the Peugeot brand in the WRC in 2014 much like they have done in the early noughties. Can't see PSA relinquishing that wealth of experience in rallying especially when it took so long to build up and obviously proved to be very very successful.
Maybe only two manufacturers next season. :(
Peugoet will be in WRC with an R2 car and and R5, Now IF R5 suddenly became the top class replacing WRC then PSA group would have a suitable car.Quote:
Originally Posted by ToughMac
Is it sure about Reno? Because they already have a one-make Megane circuit cup and several Formula series, all of them with decent Eurosport coverage. And if they enter WTCC with a factory team, Citroen may seriously reconsider doing the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
For manufacturer it's easy to convert existing DS3 WRC into 208 bodyshell even without R5.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Yes, very true PSA motorsport operates out one factory with a common Email address for employees regardless of whether they wear Peugeot Navy or Citroen Red clothing. It will, I guess be up to the marketing men, for sure the engineering is there now to run the DS3 in 208 bodywork.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
It's 90% sure regaring Renault in the WTCC in 2014. The original plan was that Renault would take their sister-brand Nissan to the WTCC to fight in one of the three proper FIA world championships. It's not just about the Eurosport coverage - it's about the global branding and winning FIA titles. Renault has been migthy succesful winning titles in F1 as both an engine supplier and as a works team, but the engine doesn't really get the proper coverage in the manufacturers champioship right now, plus Red Bull, Lotus and Williams are paying for the engines, whereas e.g. McLaren get their Mercedes engines for free until the end of 2013.Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowSon
As it is now, then RML Motorsport (Ray Mallock Motorsport) will run the Renault WTCC team from 2014 with Yvan Muller as their lead driver. RML Motorsport has been running the Chevrolet WTCC team from 2005-2012 as an official works-team, but will in 2013 run as a private team, but will continue with the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T.
The problem for the PSA group is the French left-wing crap government and all the unions, who are fighting the PSA Group at the moment because they are laying of a lot of people. It can cause a lot of problems for PSA if they can find money for motorsport and at the same time say they haven't got money to keep their work-force in France. That's left-wing nonsens for ya' but never the less, the fight that PSA have at the moment and that's why I doubt PSA will run a works Peugeot outfit in the WRC.Quote:
Originally Posted by ToughMac
It's a bit different with Loeb and his WTCC ambitions, as he is a national hero and the Government don't dare to touch him ... tha's politically dangerous if they do that.
So, if as you are suggesting that 2013 will be Citroen (PSA) last year in WRC where does that leave Thierry Neuville? Maybe he wouldnt be so mad to take the (supposed) M-Sport drive that is on offer to him.
There will be 3 manufacturers, but only two works-teams, Citroën (Works-Team), VW (Works-Team) and Ford (Private-Team)Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Don't know - but honestly I don't think Citroën care too much about him. He's not french and in France they will look at Ogier as their next hero. I think Citroën would let PH-Sport run their cars in 2014 as an M2/Mt team, so if Neuville wants to drive one, he has to come up with the sponsorship money - but it's only a guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Ford will not be a official factory-team anymore, but in reality nothing really changes, except for the drivers...
Wasn't Abu Dhabi on a 3 year deal with Citroen? So maybe that includes 2 years in WTCC?
Actually Neuville was driving with MY Racing (Matton Yves his team, now Simon Jean-Joseph is running it) for a year, and during that year Neuville set his first international steps. They have built op a good relationship and I'm quite sure that they will try to keep it that way. ;) I also don't believe Thierry needs to bring money to Citroën Racing, and I don't believe he will ever need to bring money, they are a proper factory team.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
+1.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
I didn't say Neuville would need to bring money to Citroën Racing, but to PH-Sport or any other private team running the DS3's if they continue when Citroën Racing leaves the WRC after 2013.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Yeah, I thought for 2014 (that's next season for me :P).Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
So... no news for Hunday i20?
Think back through the history of Peugeot motorsport and even PSA through the years. Back when the 205t16 was launched PSA were on the verge of bankruptcy. Jean Todt spearheaded the Talbot Sport Project with the ethos that regardless of the financial situation you enter motorsports just to show how strong your brand is. The 205 and rallying turned the financial fortunes of PSA around. Rallying is a core sport that they are clearly good at, they're not going to leave it behind.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
Who will develop the car?
They set new Hyundai Motorsport department in Offenbach and there were rumors about Kris Nissen being hired to run it.
Hope not any women gonna work in the team if he's the boss...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
why?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikkaki
I guess he is referring to this:Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Swede Snacka: Tina Thörner Was Sexually Harrassed
Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
was this the main reason we was dismissed from VW and replaced by Capito?
Maybe ..
Just saw this.
horrible and mismatched audio
Hyundai i20 WRC, very first drive - YouTube
This seems like a very basic test car. It has now lost its rear diffuser compared to the concept car introduced at the Paris motor show. Looking forward to seeing how its development progresses like VW through next year right up to its debut in 2014.
"Head of the team comes from Scandinavia."Quote:
Originally Posted by logic
Wonder if Vatanen is coming back out to play? Who else could it be?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Tommi?
If they come from Scandinavia, they won't be Finnish then...... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
Could be Kris Nissen, he's Danish??
Do they mean team manager or lead driver by head of team, possibly lost in translation.