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Sesks budget came together. Nice. Expect no more "safe driving to prove consistency" approach. He will want to show the speed again.
But still no tarmac. I find it either as "hiding"/ignoring on purpose to show only the strong side before 2027 (what is the point to learn this car on tarmac if 2027 will be totally different) or as strategic mistake. More seems like doubling down on known rallies to show the speed.
I like Martins and having him in the WRC again. He's a great character and good on fast gravel. His sponsor money is welcome for M-Sport too.
But to be honest he would've been better to do a WRC2 Rally2 programme - it's way cheaper & he could do all events and be well prepared for WRC27.
I wouldn’t spend a penny on a tarmac WRC rally either if i was him. The Puma is relatively weaker on tarmac, he’s not got much experience and he will have road position disadvantage as well. Better to run some tarmac rallies in ERC or something I would think in the R2 car.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndersX
I'm not sure if it's such a good idea to make a step back and go to Rally2 after he already proved that he is faster than half of the Rally1 guys. I think that he has the speed of a Rally1 driver, contrary to McErlean, Munster or Loubet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Of course it's just my amateur opinion only.
He can be very fast on specific gravel events (especially fast or sandy ones). On slower gravel he is not so superb. And on tarmac he was never really fast. Last time on tarmac on Canarias 2024 he was not able to set any time in top 10. Of course it was also because of MRF tyres, which were not competitive there that year, but he was constantly slower than Llarena or Mabellini on same tyres.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
It's a fair opinion. It would be hard to return to Rally2 after tasting Rally1 and the very top level.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
But while his pace has been better than the other M-Sport drivers, they're not the best quality. And his outright pace has really only been shown on fast gravel.
A full WRC2 Season would help him learn more events, get tarmac experience and be ready for WRC27-spec cars next year.
We have to stop speculate. If there are a team behind him who can find significant funds for 3rd in row year to drive R1 car, they should have a rather good plan. With help of google translate, here they explain everything:
https://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/wrc/...paplasinasanu/
Knocks, eSports & McRae - the rise of the WRC's new underdog (Jon Armstrong)...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorspo...s/c20g7ljg1v0o
YT is overflown of videos from M-Sport PET, 100% drivers will be problem for underperformance....NOT.
Millener verdict on Armstrong and expectations:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/m-spo...g-can-achieve/