Not so sure about that, Matton says Meeke, Breen and Lefebvre have deals for 2018 and that Citroën doesn't have a car for Loeb in 2018 yet, I would believe Citroën would welcome Loeb more than Mikkelsen.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
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Not so sure about that, Matton says Meeke, Breen and Lefebvre have deals for 2018 and that Citroën doesn't have a car for Loeb in 2018 yet, I would believe Citroën would welcome Loeb more than Mikkelsen.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
If David Evans called Mäkinen and asked if he's interested in signing [insert current factory driver], most likely he'll say yes to them all. And that's probably what the article is based on.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
But seriously, Evans hasn't been that bad this season. He almost won Argentina. He made good stage times in Mexico, but his race was ruined by an engine switch and time penalty and thus driving first on the road. Also good times in Portugal but a puncture and a small off causing another puncture slowed him down. For the last ten stages of Monte he was always in top five. Some technical problems and an off in TDC. He was off the pace in Sweden, Poland and Sardegna, but it could be down the tires.
This is some quality humorQuote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Loeb is too old for it. He will probably join them just as "consultant" for few events.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWorm
Yeah. Citroen also has already plenty of drivers. Matton already said only Meeke will do a full season next year, which would fit in the picture of Loeb stepping in on some events, and Breen, Lefebvre and Al-Qassimi driving some events here and there. Not much space for Mikkelsen, who is anyway out of the team after Germany.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
Spot on.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
I didnt, it was others here that judged early. Things change very quickly in WRC as Mikkelsen found out last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
Indeed. However, it will be a big event for Meeke as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Sometimes things in WRC are so unfair.
Both drivers have proven history, and now they have to race against each other with crappy car, just to show who is better. This is like gladiator battle.
The battle of the crapcars speedwise for last 2 rallies:
Poland: Lefevbre~=Mikkelsen(best PS result for Citroen for whole year btw)>Breen
Finland: Breen>Meek
So Lefevbre is the best driver? (or maybe there just a bit more to it)
That’s the case. Maybe the drivers and team members of Toyota don’t want to or are not allowed to go into any details what has been done. As far as I know new mapping (different in different rallies) don’t need a use of a joker so the use of a joker must include some new parts as maybe new camshafts.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
We had couple of our grandkids visiting us last week and it was not until yesterday I read the newspaper “Helsingin Sanomat” from last Friday. Also in that article is said that the Toyota’s have a new engine that has improved torque and driveability.
http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000005304604.html
I recorded the Harju 1 live to be able to watch the program later in peace. I don’t remember exactly what was said because I concentrated more on watching than listening but I remember they mentioned increased torque. I already deleted the program so I can’t check was what said.
MN journo getting delusional, again...Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
The only interesting part of this piece is Makinen’s mention on Japan orders: “We have to talk to the Japanese about what they want from next year and we are doing that at the moment. We know more soon after that.” So, Mr, Toyoda actually has some saying on which driver the team will pick next season. Toyoda is used to think and act big; most likely he’ll go for Ogier.
now also Hyundai in Evans list, LOL...most wanted man at the moment.
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/...-evans-937784/
So every time David Evans re-publishes his story he will add a team?Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Really does he try to tell everyone that E. Evans was more wanted than Ogier, Tanak or Mikkelsen?
Also
"Hyundai has come close to signing Evans before – he would have driven for the Korean team if Thierry Neuville had gone elsewhere this season"
Surely this must mean before VW announced to pull out? Or is he again trying to say that Hyundai would prefer to have Sordo, Paddon and Evans rather than Ogier, Sordo, Paddon in 2017?
Note that Evans spend two full seasons in WRC, then got kicked to WRC2 for 2016 and ended 3rd behind Lappi and Sunninen. Surely based on that he was first pick for 2017.
Evans may not be the 'most wanted' in driving terms, but he might be the easiest in terms of availability and cost...
Now it's getting ridiculous..."Evans reckoned to be on his way to Hyundai to replace Sordo." reckoned by whom? And "team principal Michel Nandan says he will field an unchanged squad next year" like we all know and have known all along.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Naah... it was actually the same last year, Tommi was saying that back then as well. I don't necessarily buy it - Tommi just has various explanations in order to silence the discussion about 2018.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
im sure that in next article theres also Citroen in the list...Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
What about Nasser?
Qatar RedBull M-Sport WRT?
Qatar is in a lot of trouble right now. Backing Nasser's motorsports activities is probably very low on their priority list.
They invested on Neymar transaction. 222 Million Euro
man you are really desperate to keep Ogier in Ford...he will drive for sure for some team in 2018, dont worry
Hasn't had the luxury of PETs before every round either.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Looks like Ogier is heading for the title, why would he want to leave MSport unless he is motivated by money?
I can see Hyundai wanting to strengthen their team as they'll be annoyed at losing the manufacturers title. Maybe they'll go for Mikelssen as a fast and reliable pair of hands? Possibly at the expense of Sordo?
Ogier is worried about Msport struggling to keep up in the development race in future years if they don't get bigger backing.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
I have a feeling Seb will agree a big deal with Citroen before Spain.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Despite their history, going to Citroen is a bit of a gamble for anyone with the state of that car right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
In a Finnish TV interview yesterday with Juho Hänninen
- How important is it to get a good result from here [Deutschland] regarding the future of your career?
- Hard to say, you need to ask someone else. Good results are always important. For me it was important to see I've got the pace, gives me confidence for the future
Kind of sounds like no matter how well he drives, there's no drives coming up next year.
Imo the only option is to continue at Toyota with probably 1 year extension, can't see anyone else signing him, others will either go for proven value (Tanak, Mikkelsen) or for cheap/promising youth. Hanninen is "unproven"/uncertain performance and older (6 years older than Tanak, 8 over Mikkelsen, 10 over Lappi). So it's up to Tommi and/or Japanese.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
------------------------------
During the Powerstage broadcast Julian Porter said the rumors in service park about Mikkelsen were that he was talking to Hyundai and Citroen about next year and that he also wanted to drive the last 3 rallies this year in the same car (from context that probably meant C3).
Tanak will get a drive for sure... the pain will continue unfortunately for the finish manager kids.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
And Mikkelsens 2. Place on asphalt will not hurt in the coming negotiations!!
Hanninen can be Toyota's Sordo if he was a good finisher. I heard Tommi is fairly attached to Juho, but I'm sure final word will come from high up. Is anyone running a four car team next year?
Mikkelsen on the Deutschland press conference:
And Ogier:Quote:
Q:
This was an important result for Citroën but also for you. You said that Germany was your final event for Citroën. Do you have an update on whether you will appear in one of the remaining events this season?
AM:
I hope to do all the events. The important thing for me now is to find a place where we can fight for the championship next year. If this is for Citroën or not, I don’t know. But I have done three rallies with them and I enjoyed them. So let’s see if there are some more.
And WilsonQuote:
Q:
You said that you wanted to have your future decided before the end of September. We have a little season break now so what will be happening in the next six weeks for you?
SO:
I am sure we will know much more in Spain. It would be great for M-Sport to get the full support again. What the team has achieved so far this year is amazing. It has a good lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship as a private team. It would be good to see their efforts rewarded.
Q:
So if the team got the manufacturer funding you would stay?
SO:
Yes, I always mentioned it. It is never easy to switch teams every year. I needed some time this year to get used to the team and the car. This always takes some time. If I could continue and build on what we did this year, I am sure we would be strong. But I also think that we would need a little bit more support to be where I want to be.
And TidemandQuote:
Q:
Success in the WRC, but also success in the WRC 2 with Eric Camilli taking a win as well, so this has been good for the brand?
MW:
Eric had a great rally and he is really showing the promise that we all know he has got. He is really a solid professional driver. This win will further lift his confidence so hopefully Eric can go on to better things as well.
Q:
What will be going on during the upcoming six week break to keep that fantastic line-up of drivers that you have?
MW:
The results tell you that we have a great driver line-up. I would really love to retain all the guys. Whether this is achievable, I genuinely don’t know. If it was all in my power, that is what I would definitely like to be doing.
Quote:
Q:
So, what happens for the rest of the season? What’s next for Pontus Tidemand?
PT:
For sure, Rally GB and also some testing. We don’t know yet about Rally Spain.
Q:
Will you remain in WRC 2 and defend your title? Or will you be moving on to other things?
PT:
I Iive in the moment. No idea.
Q:
What would you like to do, Pontus?
PT:
What do you think?
Q:
A nice World Rally Car would be good, right?
PT:
Yes, that would be good. Soon, it should be time to take this step up. We will see. We’ll just keep working hard and need to get the chance.
He was talking about Hanninen.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
i think that NOT meant that Tänak will get Hanninens drive.Quote:
Originally Posted by EightGear
https://www.rallye-magazin.de/wrc/ar...-abstellgleis/
Matton saying something like they want to plan their future with the drivers nominated for Spain.
Matton again
http://int-media.citroen.com/en/citr...argets-germanyQuote:
There are a few rumours going around the service park regarding potential driver transfers for 2018. What is your position on this issue?
"I think everyone knows that the next month is likely to be a busy period as regards driver transfers. As is the case with the development of the car, the priority is to prepare for 2018. We now have a break in the WRC calendar, so we are going to use the month of September to draw up our strategy. In doing so, we are talking to the drivers who could help up to reach our goals. For the time being, nothing has been decided."
Again news in Finnish (probably translated from somewhere, cannot find the original) http://www.sportti.com/uutinen.asp?CAT=1-2&ID=345467
but Ogier says he's talking to everyone and says about next year "Depends on the budget what a team can do. I'm trying to get the best possible car for next year. I started with Citroen and wouldn't be here without them and I'm talking with them. It's possible but nothing more to say now"
EDIT: Ogier also says he doesn't believe in Loeb returning fully, but maybe doing a single rally, and then concludes with "you never know, he has often said Rally is the best"
Big dilemma for Ogier there.
Risk going to Citroen and possibly struggle developing the car on gravel? But potentially he can then "outshine" Loeb by winning titles with 3 manufacturers including Citroen.
Or stay at Ford with a now quite developed car. Even without much extra money Fiesta will sure be very good for most of 2018.
Could opt for 1 year extension at M-Sport and see how things work out at Citroen.
Finnish interview with Mäkinen http://www.ts.fi/urheilu/moottoriurh...iela+tekematta
- In the service park rumours Latvala and Lappi are quite confirmed to continue with Toyota. Instead, Hänninen is believed to get fired, but the good results from the previous rallies could change plans. Or can they, team boss Mäkinen?
- I cannot comment on that quite yet. We haven't made final solutions. There's a long break from rallies and time to think about these things. Also we must ask the opinion of Japan
At the same time, Latvala says he will continue with a WRC car built in Finland without saying the brand directly https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-9787178
for me it sounds like Ogier to Citroen then. especially when admitting he is talking to them and thanking them from previous years.
i dont see any other option for him anyway besides msport too but Ford aint coming back.
they will sort out the car sooner than later, i dont think Ogier is too bothered with that.
It's interesting indeed if both Tänak and Ogier leave M-Sport. It will change M-Sport's profile drastically after being so dominant in 2017, especially if they're replaced with young drivers like Suninen and Camilli