Lol
https://x.com/adrienfourmaux/status/...C1kV5QC61vX5Xg
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Latvala:Quote:
Originally Posted by macebig
“Yes, I asked Kalle if he could join (in Japan), but Kalle said, ‘try to handle it on your own, boys,’ so he’s not going this time."
:disturb:
Goes to show how quickly Rovanperä became their most priced asset, otherwise a 22 year old wouldn't be able to strongarm Toyota into only a half season and just say "no thanks" at their important home rally.
It also depends who asks him this favour.. maybe not nicest, but kind of expected answer from him to Latvala.. :D
Doubt that he would have answered that to Toyoda :D (although he isn't the president anymore, but still)
I think there´s somth more in this story about Kalle vs. Toyota...
Money?
Disagreements?
Kalle don´t want to do WRC anymore?
What do you finnish guys living around Jyväskylä say? Are there local rumours? Pantealex etz?
Really? I think it is exactly what it seems. He wanted a half-year. He arranged a half-year. He is doing a half-year. There is a contract. Both parties are sticking to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Not all drivers could say no to come help their manu team fight for title on home rally though.
If I was to put something into it, it shows how much Toyota needs to be on good terms with him.
Ogier still says he doesn't want full season and dislikes the new point system, also recent mistakes might suggest he is declining. Evans (again) showed himself to be unable to challenge for title. Both remaining title contenders are signed for Hyundai.
TLDR: Toyota really needs Kalle to drive fulltime next year. So much it is not worth risking that by trying to save manu title.
Most likely Rovanperä has the legal right to say no. But if the team has asked for help, I wonder how well "the no" will be remembered in Japan.
Watching the onboards on rally tv. They have great camera placement in Neuville's car.
It's interesting to see on the onboards how the hybrids allows them to have very long first two gears. With that having no hybrid is definitely most painful on asphalt in slow junctions where there is far better traction than on gravel. It's also a bit funny that they run one gear lower than Rally2 on the same places while going faster in the same time.
Anyway they will need to tune their engines a lot different without hybrid. Same for the gearboxes.