Silly Season 2020

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mknight

Funny comment, as "letting others" profit (and taking his part) has been his mode of operation for quite a while. Tanak being latest example.

Also doesn't fit the way they were talking up Evan's value around July.

Final note is that this was written on 5/9 which is before all this Tanak crazyness.

---

Wilson has touted Suninen's future potential all season and Evans has been perhaps the closest driver to the big 3 this season. Switching either of them out for anyone who is not Tänak, Neuville, Ogier or at least Lappi just wouldn't make sense.

The other teams could stand a chance in the Manus if Tanak and Neuville both push each other too hard and they make more mistakes. But Hyundai will still have a quality driver in their 3rd car to mop up points.

If Ogier stays at Citroen they really need to run a third car to compete effectively.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denkimi

Why not mikkelsen and latvala at citroen? Perhaps together with ostberg.
If latvala doesn't crash to often they could do well in the constructors.

---

Interesting. I could see Mikkelsen or JML going there, but perhaps not both (Ostberg has good ties, Lappi and - cough - Ogier under contract)

Rally (especially on World level) is very small, and there always will be some common things/links between the teams/drivers, etc. Like Tanak for the moment - still linked to Malcolm because of paying back money (so Malcolm needs to know about Tanaks contracts immediately, as that's all part of their deal) plus OT Racing is running Fiesta WRC, and Ott himself driving Toyota, etc. So no chances to make it all 100% clear and separate.
Regarding contract signing, anouncments, etc it's also not that simple, as if Hyundai signs Ott they would like to announce it with big boom (as it should give them some marketing feedback). But as Ott is under contract with Toyota at least until the end of the season (probably end of the calendar year) it can't be done in the way Hyundai PR would like to make it, so that is obviously important reason od "delay" (if there is anything to announce:)

My 2 cents for the next season:

Toyota: Latvala, Meeke, Rovanperä/Katsuta (rotating)
Hyundai: Tänak, Neuville, Sordo/Loeb (rotating)
M-Sport: Suninen, Evans
Citroen: Ogier, Lappi

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

The other teams could stand a chance in the Manus if Tanak and Neuville both push each other too hard and they make more mistakes. But Hyundai will still have a quality driver in their 3rd car to mop up points.

If Ogier stays at Citroen they really need to run a third car to compete effectively.

---

The big 3 have been pushing each other for 3 years now, but they all have learnt from ogier in 2017.
Neither of them needs a rally win to prove themselves anymore, so i don't suddenly see them making more mistakes now.

Just a reminder that Tommi has confirmed in public that Katsuta will not drive any of the three Yaris WRCs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Allez Andruet

Just a reminder that Tommi has confirmed in public that Katsuta will not drive any of the three Yaris WRCs.

---

Was there not talk of a 2nd team?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrc2017

Was there not talk of a 2nd team?

---

Exactly, that's what I meant that Katsuta's car will be run by TMR (I guess, not TGR anyway).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ggg377

Wilson has touted Suninen's future potential all season and Evans has been perhaps the closest driver to the big 3 this season. Switching either of them out for anyone who is not Tänak, Neuville, Ogier or at least Lappi just wouldn't make sense.

---

Not switching voluntarily. But Toyota could be very interested in paying (a lot) for Evans, including giving parts of future income to Wilson (just like with Tänak)
If that comes on the table it's quite likely Wilson will accept imo.