Rossi, or in a different sport Federer.. old people are back in fashion.Quote:
Originally Posted by COD
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Rossi, or in a different sport Federer.. old people are back in fashion.Quote:
Originally Posted by COD
Already in 2016: https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/...9398#gs.ljdzifQuote:
Originally Posted by tr4m
Well some rumors suggest JML is on the chopping block. This was before Sardegna... Unless he does some crazy transformation in the next 3-4 rallies
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...97e5e5a275.jpg
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Tommi would definitely sack Latvala before anyone else. He's incredibly fond of Tanak and Meeke and would have sacked JML last year if the Japanese hadn't wanted him to stay.Quote:
Originally Posted by racerx1979
At this rate Latvala is the worst performer in the squad. I'm a huge Latvala fan, but business is business. It might be a good thing if JML can be a team leader at MSport, but I don't think that will happen. I also think Tanak will sign a 3-3 yr deal with TGR this year.
Let's be honest, Latvala has had a great long run in WRC, but it's time to give a younger generation it's chance.
Meeke is getting old too but hasnt had nearly so many WRC seasons.
Well, from the outside you would think Latvala can barely manage himself during rallies..Quote:
Originally Posted by racerx1979
I said it before that I think it's too early for Kalle to do full season. He has shown this year that he still has things to learn in R5. Imo ideal would be only a few rallies in WRC next year.
However, it is very likely he will get more than one year deal no matter how he performs in 2020, so it's probably not very risky for him. On the other hand it is very risky for Toyota as they might get quite a lot weaker in the manu championship. Then again given results of Toyota drivers besides Tanak this year, you can argument that it's not possible to do much worse anyway.
I’m sure that Toyota fully expect there to be a few bent Yaris WRC next year, but there have been a few this year anyway. I’d put Rovanpera in and let him drive, he’s clearly on the upward trajectory and one of the few that look like having the capacity to join the Tanak/Neuville/Ogier level...
As for Latvala, I have always thought he would be better off with less pressure from other drivers in the same team, Msport....I’m sure he would do a good job there, like his first season at Toyota.
I think mr Toyoda and probably the team in Est/Fin are finding it quite frustrating to have their championship-winning team with car-issues and struggling no. 2 and 3 drivers. Hard to be the best this way...and Rovanperä isn`t the answer because, firstly, needs more experience from WRC(hampionship). He has had quite costly mistakes this year. Outings in a fourth car, shared with Katsuta+ outings under TMR in R5, all for it.
If toyota really signs rovanperra, i can't see him in anything else than a 4th car at the start of the year.
Yves Matton
Great to see @Craig_Breen and @paulnagle1 back in #WRC for the @RallyFinland. Hopefully the new beginning of an inspiring story about never giving up ! https://t.co/NtLHtPtO1F
Harri Rovanperä says the news of Kalle's contract are only rumors https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-10849253
Rovanpera and Toyota
http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/144390
Kalle Rovanpera secures 2020 Toyota World Rally Championship drive
Kalle Rovanpera will step up to a Toyota works seat next season, making him the youngest ever full-time factory driver in the World Rally Championship, Autosport has learned.
The 18-year-old's management will invoke a clause in his two-year Skoda deal to depart his current employer at the end of the year.
Autosport's sources have indicated Rovanpera will drive a third Yaris WRC from the start of 2020.
All parties have denied the deal is done, but Rovanpera's manager Timo Jouhki believes the current WRC 2 Pro leader was ready for the step up.
"Skoda has been very, very good with Kalle," Jouhki told Autosport.
"He has done a lot of testing and this has been an excellent place, but now the time has come.
"We wanted to see how he's progressing with the notes, working with the team, his physical fitness, working with the media and all of these things and he's progressed in every area. He's probably progressed more than we thought he would.
"The aim was for him to get experience for all of the rallies. By the end of this season he will have competed on every rally."
Toyota team boss Tommi Makinen said it was "a little too early" to start talking about drivers for next season, but added that he would be thinking about his 2020 line-up from now on.
Rovanpera has already tested the Yaris WRC, driving the car for the first time during an endurance session in 2017.
Speculation about the teenager joining Toyota has been rife ever since.
Rovanpera said he was ready to move up to the World Rally Car class.
"If the season continues to go like this, then I think we can go to the big cars," he told Autosport.
"We can go there and learn or we can use the option with Skoda and stay for another year, because there is still a lot to learn from the conditions of rallies.
"I saw in Portugal and Sardinia, the first time going to a new event is always difficult. So I will learn with Skoda or go with the big car."
Rovanpera was careful not to specify the "big car" he was talking about.
From the archive
2016: Why Rovanpera is rallying's Verstappen
Autosport understands there was interest in Rovanpera from M-Sport and Hyundai, but Citroen remains fixed for next season with Sebastien Ogier and Esapekka Lappi.
The news that Rovanpera will take one of three Yaris WRCs next season will have ramifications for the driver market, but this season much of the movement will depend on whether WRC leader Ott Tanak remains at Toyota.
The team currently fields Tanak, Kris Meeke and Jari-Matti Latvala.
People quick to bash Autosport/ David Evans but he was on the money regarding Meeke going to Toyota when all the Finnish media and a lot on here thought it was a load of shite. Normally when a big publication goes big on such a story, it has truth in it. This doesn't sound like just fanciful David Evans rumours he's made up in his head or what he thinks/wants to happen...
Ofcourse it all depends on Tanak, but I think he'll stay. If he does, you have to say Latvala has had his chance and if some of the service park rumours are to be believed - apparently Tommi thinks the same. Over 200 wrc starts, 3yrs in the Yaris compared to Meeke's first and Tanak's 2nd, yet Jari is the one who seems lost more often than not with poor setups and pace. Maybe Finland and Germany can save him but I believe the writing is on the wall - if he does go I hope he gets a drive elsewhere, maybe back to Msport? I hope for next year Citroen and Msport can both run 3 cars on every event
Yeah, Mäkinen also said last year that "Meeke is not coming to our team".Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
so what you point. thats not reflecion on evans. I think the trigger has been Rovernpera exit from Skoda.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
I believe Evans wrote that Tänak chose Ford for 2018 also...
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...stay-at-msport
Also there is that little thing called army service, which Rovanperä starts this autumn. Not something that helps one to test-train for the following season, in a totally new environment.
Tänak also wrote in his blog that "the rumors of me changing teams is wrong" just before the announcementQuote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
1. Evans says that Meeke is going to ToyotaQuote:
Originally Posted by wrc2017
2. Mäkinen says Meeke is not going to Toyota
3. Meeke actually goes to Toyota
Just reminding that Evans got that right, and Mäkinen denied it in the first place. Although I'm not 100% sure of the timeline, I remember 1-2. happened in early summer 2018 and Meeke later said he didn't contact anyone until Rally Finland 2018.
https://www.rallit.fi/kalle-rovanper...toyota-huhuja/
Kalle himself says also that he doesn't know anything about the contract.
I wouldn´t be surprised if Kalle has contract for 2020. No smoke without a fire...
Wilson has made it clear he only wants a top driver if he is to change his line-up in 2020 (ie. Tanak).Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Latvala would likely have to bring budget to drive a 3rd Fiesta.
when big link like autosport.com writes it is a deal done in the headline, then that's it
The famous Safari Rally edges closer to return to WRC... https://t.co/5XOnrdlSVm
I wonder if Toyota are considering a shared drive between JML and Kalle? Sordo has had his best season by doing a part time program, could well suit JML as well... And allowing Kalle to mature and learn slowly but surely.
Meanwhile Rovanperä senior has said there is nothing certain yet.
Who is out of Toyota next season: Latvala or Meeke?
I don't think they have decided yet, I bet at least one of them is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
At the moment it's more on Latvala, but imo mostly cause Meeke still didn't have as many rallies with them. If they continue the season like this might even be both out and Evans or Suninen in. Actually Tanak-Evans-Rovanpera sounds like quite a strong team on paper.
can be both
Or bring back Lappi. He did a good job there, the car doesn't..Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Lappi is under contract with Citroen
Never happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
2021 lineup could be full season for Katsuta, Rovanpera, Tanak. If 4th car is needed in some events it could be Meeke or Latvala in case they are free.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
2020 guess could be full season for Tanak. Latvala and Meeke would be evaluated based to results on first quarter and one of them would continue to do a full season. The other would split 3rd-4th car after Q1 with Katsuta and Rovanpera whom would do a selected rounds.
That's like silly season craziness squared, already making predictions for two years ahead! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Crazy J
But let's just say that if Latvala and Meeke don't up their game, they're out of Toyota and the whole WRC. And I could easily see Rovanperä driving already a full season next year.
The question is who is free to replace them and will surely do better?
If Rovanpera would do full season in 2020, besides Tanak. Then it could be 50-75% for Katsuta. Another 50-75% for Latvala or Meeke, the other one remaining as non-competing test driver. Latvala and Meeke both known for good technical skills. For TGR it is not impossible to run 4 cars 50% or more from season.
Depends on what the next couple of rallies will show, but I find that Teemu Suninen could be a match.Quote:
Originally Posted by denkimi
More crazy assumptions. Please don't cling onto Meeke and Latvala. There are other drivers who are interested in Toyota and whom Toyota are likely interested in. Katsuta will stick around for sure but I would say his role in 2020 will still be WRC2, testing and driving the fourth car occasionally. Besides, Toyota hasn't been keen on driver rotation, opting instead for full seasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy J