Im fairly sure he is being sarcastic, but then are you also...
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Of course co-driver is important but i suggest NOT means that a top driver can win no matter who is the co-driver, also a slow driver will be always slow no matter who is sitting next to him.Also EVEN management thinks the same with NOT when it hires such an INEXPERIENCED co-driver for Andreas.So dont blame NOT,blame EVEN management.
Some of the essential elements of a successful driver/co-driver pair is a good relationship between the two, on and off the stages. It requires a strong bond between the two as well as complete and utter blind trust in your co-driver.
I don't think I'm wrong in my assumption that the relationship between Loeb and his wife would fit the bill regarding the description above, so to me it's no surprise that Loeb has won rallies with his wife as a co-driver.
Had he chosen a stranger (with the same co-driving skills or lack of such compared to his wife) it would certainly be up for discussion as to whether he would still have won those events or not. A good co-driver can give you an extra 5% when you need a boost the most.
The mental state of the driver is very much dependant on his co-driver. They're together around 3/4 of the year. A co-driver will need to pick his driver up when he's down, cool him down when he's up and generally be a voice of reason in tough situations (for instance John Kennard's comments to Hayden when he encountered problems in Sardinia or Miikka Anttilla's peptalk to Jari-Matti before the power stage in Portugal).
So despite the saying might be like you mentioned it, I would consider it too simplistic and erroneous of a view to see the role of the co-driver as the person who might lose you the event. A co-driver is of utmost importance to a driver and his role shouldn't be underestimated.
The codriver is for sure essential for the driver. Itīs really simplifying his role saying any topdriver would win no matter whoīs codriving.
And mark my words - codriving in WRC is much harder than codriving in village events in slower cars. Going up to highest level isnīt every man is doing just like that.
http://beta.autosport.com/news/repor...meeke-deadline
about Meeke, Citroen and Toyota.