Mby N.O.T really had a point on certain country?
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Mby N.O.T really had a point on certain country?
I hope he will chose wisely. Hyundai is a great car but for several drivers has been difficult if not impossible to drive confidentially, and Thierry has an advantage to drive it for years and knowing all the team.
Best case scenario for him would be a reliable Yaris imho but it seems they are really struggling with that.
Yes, Sordo has not managed to drive it on some rallies, but those are the rallies where he never did good. Paddon struggled on some rallies but he is a not a proved regular top contender. Then Mikkelsen struggled but he has not driven many WRC cars fast only Polo and C3 for 1 rally.....
but Loeb struggling and especially Loeb struggling on tarmac, that should be a huge warning.
I think and hope Tanak could go to MSport.
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Tanak to Msport, Ogier winning drivers championship (so that Citroen puts in money for 3rd car) and Hyundai winning manu champ (so they stay, if rumors are true) that would be ideal situation for the championship. Toyota will stay anyway (for at least 2 years) with Rovanpera coming and Katsuta getting some starts.
Worst situation: Toyota and Tanak win, Hyundai leaves, Citroen only continues with 2 cars next season and leaves after Ogier's contract ends and MSport doesn't have/use money on other drives and continues like this year.
...just as I was listening to Godfather soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-jdl9hcCeg
Which will be a guarantee that they can get on top of the reliability.
He’s not in it for the money right now. He wants to start winning championships and unless they can get the car sorted (especially if what was said by a poster on this forum regarding just how bad it is behind closed doors is accurate) then he’ll be off.
He hasn’t committed his life to his goal to risk missing out just for a pot of cash, nope, he’s hungrier and more frustrated then ever to be a WDC and he’s probably thinking he could get one this year if his car had a blue badge in the front.
To quote Mike Tyson: everybody has a gameplan until they get punched in the face. And no, I don't mean that Tommi would jump on Tänak, but it's easy not to be in it for the money until you're actually facing a situation where someone's offering you 10M€ a season and the next best offer is for 5M€. Not saying those would precisely be the numbers, but they might not be that far off the ballpark either when it comes to bidding war between M-Sport and Toyota.
Most sensible choice would be to choose for the money, if there's a big difference. Don't forget that with new regulations, everything we have right now could be gone within a few years, and then it's possible that there wouldn't be as much money to make anymore, even if you're the best driver in the world. ;) A smart sportsman knows he has to make a financial "base" for the rest of his life, during those years when he's at his best.
Umh, yes, Hyundai manuf. title would be great and probably necessary, but Ogier taking the WDC? That is dull and injects hoplesness+ why would Citroen use 3rd car then, when they achieve their goals with only two?
If they paid me 2 million more than M-Sport, TGR, Hyundai or Citroen I would drive for the DACIA Romanian Rally Championship Team B.... Money talks...
Also, I hear TGR is not too loose with money so if M-Sport offers Tanak a 2 year contract with a few mill more than the others I doubt TGR will step up and match the offer, but that's just the rumors we have heard.
https://www.m-sport.co.uk/single-pos...STA-IN-FINLAND
PADDON TO FLY WITH FIESTA IN FINLAND
July 3, 2019
Hayden Paddon and John Kennard will take to the wheel of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC at next month’s Neste Rally Finland. Making a welcome return to the FIA World Rally Championship, the New Zealanders will pilot a third M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Fiesta and will be eligible to score manufacturer points for the Cumbrian squad.
Paddon made his first appearance behind the wheel of a world rally car when contesting RallyRACC Catalunya with the Ford Fiesta RS WRC in 2013, and went on to become one of the sport’s most popular and celebrated drivers.
A regular on the world stage, he secured his first podium in 2015 and a maiden victory soon followed with an unforgettable performance at the 2016 edition of Rally Argentina.
Proficient on all surfaces, the Kiwi has eight top-three finishes to his name and will be looking to deliver another strong performance when he returns to the Fiesta for his 80th appearance on the world stage.
Thanks to his backers in New Zealand, Paddon will become the 14th driver to take to the wheel of the top-specification Fiesta at rallying’s highest level – the car which has delivered five FIA World Rally Championships, nine victories and 31 podiums over the past two and a half years.
This will also be Paddon’s tenth appearance at the Finnish fixture, and he and Kennard will complete a one-day test in preparation – familiarising themselves with the award-winning Fiesta and reacquainting themselves with the M-Sport family.
Hayden Paddon said:
“Both John and I are very excited to be back – especially as it has been so hard to watch from the side-lines. M-Sport have been so welcoming even in the short period since this deal has been put together which gives me great confidence that we will be able to work together to achieve a great result on one of my favourite events on the calendar.
“Huge thanks also to our long-term partner Hyundai NZ who have allowed us to take the opportunity and encouraged us. We are lucky to have the support that we do from New Zealand and abroad.”
Team Principal, Richard Millener, said:
“It’s great to see Hayden back in the FIA World Rally Championship, and we’re all excited to see what he can do behind the wheel of the Fiesta. He’s a proven rally winner, and it’s great for us to have a driver of his calibre as we set our sights on another strong performance.
“The deal came together pretty quick, so it’s great that we were able to do something at short notice. Hayden is extremely determined and has the potential to deliver a really exciting performance. Like every rally fan, I’m looking forward to seeing him and John back in the championship!”
Things are still bad... they are still have stalling issues with hydraulics.. this is an issue which Lappi complained about several times..
Toyota has money to pay, but if M-Sport rumors of taking a year off and then coming back strong with cash in hand for 2020 are true then maybe M-Sport could give Tanak an offer he cant refuse and TGR can't match.
My 2 cents are JML is booted for Kalle which will save them heaps of money. This money can then be used to keep Tanak. Next year we will see Tanak, Meeke and Rovanpera...
JML to Ford or Hyundai. Remember a lot of teams would love to have an ex TGR driver who can bring some good knowledge.. JML is one of those guys considering he has been there since day one...
Would'nt it be funny if he turned up with Hyundai NZ plastered all over the Fiesta! :D
JML to Ford seems very possible given how much Tommi wants him gone and how badly M-Sport needs a seasoned driver in their lineup to match the rest of the teams. Latvala in Hyundai with Adamo's iron fist tapping on his shoulder sounds like a horrible horrible idea.
Silly season 2020 is going to be very very interesting. If Paddon does well in Finland and keeps up his visibility then we might be looking at Paddon, Katsuta and Rovanpera entering the driver's market to make things interesting.
Regarding inter team moves, I don't really see Tanak going anywhere fast. He's got Toyota's full support and he's basically one with the car at this point. Despite the issues he looks to be getting on well, and the issues likely won't last forever.
Sponsors for Paddon for Finland likely to be 'Pack n Save' nz grocery stores/supermarkets, 'Z' Energy vehicle fuel supplies, nz fuel stations etc
I have low expectations of Paddon in Finland. New car and been away from the top game for 8 months. Hopefully one of the WRC 2 teams could take Paddon on as a development/ compete at a few 2019 events in Europe type deal.
How many M-Sport WRC Fiestas for Finland? Evans, Suninen, Paddon etc
If Ogier takes WDC it might convince Citroen bosses that just a bit more money and they can have both titles. But as you said it can also backfire and they will say they have all the publicity with just 2 cars.
On the other hand if he does not take it due to car performance issue they surely won't use any money next year for 3rd car but instead use it to develop the 2 ones.
So based on that reasoning I think it's better that he wins it than if he doesn't.
3 cars should be minimal to even enter the event...
You guys are forgetting why these people started doing what they do... They all started with the dream to win the WDC, not to become rich. Maybe once he's won it, then yes, he will maybe go for the cash, but until then, all he wants to do is beat the others to a championship.
Tell me, what does the look in his eyes tell you at the end of each stage? that he's settling for a paycheque, or that all he wants to do is thrash everyone else?
Latvala, Sordo, maybe, but please don't insult Tanak.. he's got more drive than anyone else in the field right now.
Tanak jumped ship from a championship-winning car/team at M-Sport to join Toyota.
They offered a much bigger salary and a well-funded factory-backed team but no guarantee of success. Yet he still signed. Some said it was to cash-in and provide better for his young family.
Another change of team wont guarantee him a title either. But Toyota wages will make him fanancially secure AND enable him to fight for a title.
Does Wilson have a financial interest in Tanaks career?
I hope I get to see Adamo's face should Paddon be standing on a step above Nueville, Mikkelsen and Breen on the Podium!
Tänak jumped ship because he did not want to be the no. 2 guy behind Ogier. Please get your facts straight.
The problem with M-Sport is even if they have the funds to offer competitive salary it would mean that the development proces would be stalled again in order to save money. To win you need the combo of both. Ogier already drove M-Sport almost off the cliff...
Attachment 1791
Recce 03Jul2019. Today there could be more animals
https://www.hyundai.co.nz/paddon-rea...NCJkfZefxxQxKoQuote:
This Rally Finland opportunity is being supported by Ben Nevis Station, Cusco, Winmax Brake Pads, PAK'nSAVE and Z Energy.
haha i was thinking the same thing!
excellent news in the morning!!! Finally he is trying to get a drive in some other team, so happy for him. And the icing on the cake is that i will be there and ill see him driving with my own eyes.
and he has kept himself sharp while doing the rounds in NZ. Yes, it isnt the same but at least he hasnt just sat in home and waited. TOP5 would be very good IMO and podium would be fantastic.
No team can offer a guarantee of success, but a driver who wants to win and has a choice of team will choose the team that he sees as most likely to win. M-Sport were fighting for every penny to make a good car and Toyota were about to become a dominant force, in terms of performance and with a proper budget too. And to add to what others have said, you must have forgotten about the Ogier situation at M-Sport.
You're right, another team won't guarantee him a title, but you're wrong in saying Toyota WILL enable him to fight for a title.... they may not and that's the whole point of the Tanak to M-Sport topic.... M-Sport look like they have a bullet proof car, and now one that has some serious pace. Tanak will, again - just as he did before he joined Toyota, decide which car will most likely get him a championship.
It's got bugger all to do with money. If it did, he would be signed up with Toyota right now.
I'd even have a fiver on him taking a pay cut if he goes to M-sport.