And I have a feeling if he will be aboard that he will not have a full season (again) next year... For some reason Qassimi (if he stays), or Loeb or even Ostberg will share a car... we will see
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And I have a feeling if he will be aboard that he will not have a full season (again) next year... For some reason Qassimi (if he stays), or Loeb or even Ostberg will share a car... we will see
I'd assume all talk of Loeb at Citroen ends the second Ogier walks in the door.
Never a full season, if I'm not mistaken.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
I'm always rooting for Breen. He reminds me of Latvala in that he lives rallying to the fullest extent. IMO he's far more promising than Evans, especially in quick rallies like Finland and Sweden.
I feel for Evans... After 2015 I was sure he'd be the one to stay in M-Sport against Tanak, seeing as he'd done quite well and had also gotten a podium in TdC, but this year he has shown barely a sliver of pace. Constantly lost, slow and away from the pack, frequent mistakes... After his spectacular Dmack season he had lots to prove on equal rubber. I don't see him staying much longer.
Malcolm will want to sell lots of his new shape Fiesta R5.
Evans would be a perfect choice to get the new car some good results in WRC2.
Elfyn won't be delighted with that 'demotion' but I'm not sure he'll have many other options.
Will Evans relish the chance to compete against the VW R5, any wins in wrc2 2019 could be hard won?
We questioned why Lappi didn’t return for the final day of Rally Turkey to realize that the team did not want to give him the experience of the rest of the rally as he’d be leaving the team...
Talking of the new R5 Fiesta, I do wonder whether the development efforts to keep the WRC car competitive have distracted M-Sport from developing the new R5? Seems odd that we haven't see anything of it at all. Surely now we won't see it homologated until the end of 2019. If/when the Ogier distraction leaves, the focus will surely shift back towards the customer business.
The only alternative for the delay I can think of is them wanting to see what the new R5 benchmark is once the Polo is out there, so they know what they're aiming for. But, how many customers/orders do they want to lose to VAG in the meantime...?
Could actually be a nice spice up to get guys like Breen and Evans showing some measurement of pace in WRC2, in the same way Mikkelsen did last year. Would also be good promotion for their respective teams.
https://www.rallit.fi/lahteeko-esape...lin-on-soinut/
Another news piece about Lappi-Toyota situation. Mäkinen says they have placed an offer to Lappi and won't make further decisions before he has responded to that offer. He also says they could have also experienced drivers coming into the team in case Lappi leaves. Again a lot of Mäkinen's talking but not saying anything.
I think you've got it right re Evans and Breen. Onboard footage Elfyn always has his mouth wide open and a heart in mouth expression on his face, whereas Breen usually looks calm and collected. There is some great footage of Breen driving a MK2 escort in Ireland, flat out but chatting away to his co driver like he is on a Sunday afternoon drive. I think Breen is a more naturally talented driver and has another step, whereas I just get the feeling Evans is on his limit.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
So, if we see Breen driving with his mouth open, can we assume he is close to flat out?Quote:
Originally Posted by Norm75
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...019-wrc-return
Today's third driver for Toyota: Kris Meeke. Of course, according to David Evans...
Tomorrow: Mäkinen to replace Lappi in effort to increase TMR's yearly profitQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
It would be interesting to see Kris and Jari-Matti to drive Toyota :) Certainly there might be a lot of accidents, but if Toyota is able to win Manufacturers title already this year also less pressure to win next year. If they are not able to drive well both of them will be out at the end of the season...Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DncknAwW4AA-iQ4.jpg
And of course it's worth a front cover story
Maybe. My point was the facial expressions of both drivers. You can tell a lot from people's facial expressions and body language. To me it just looks like Elfyn is on his limit, Breen looks more relaxed. Most naturally talented drivers look relaxed when driving, instead of a rabbit caught in the headlights.Quote:
Originally Posted by Got Mail
So much smoke and rumours now that it really does seem like Lappi is gone at Toyota. Regardless of what you think about Meeke, I think he'd benefit greatly from some better man management that hopefully Tommi or maybe even Malcolm could give him.
It sells papers I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
On a serious note though, I think he is a serious option but one of several. A long way to go still.
What it says to me is that Lappi is now gone. In the web article, interesting to hear that he's been to visit the factory.
The great thing with getting in at Skoda is you are driving what is currently the best R5 car, with full manufacturer support, an upgraded car spec coming soon which you can have a hand developing and plenty of testing mileage. There is no better platform for a young driver IMHO, he's be best to stick that contract out until the end of the deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by pantealex
https://www.rallit.fi/gronholm-oli-n...-juttu-taa-on/
Grönholm comments that when the Huttunen rumor came out he was talking with the Hyundai people and had no idea about it :D
I said a while ago on here Meeke had been in discussions with Toyota, Hyundai too. Makinen clearly likes him so ofcourse he's an option if Lappi surprisingly leaves.
However I still don't see it happening unless Citroen have genuinely doubled or tripled Lappi's salary. Otherwise why else would he leave Toyota to join the red army??
I also still think it was bad call for Citroen to ax Meeke - despite somewhat understanding it. An Ogier, Meeke and Breen/Ostberg line-up is really strong and in Kris, Ogier would have someone else in the team able to mix it at the front on rallies next year. This season it's been clear Seb has suffered without Evans and Suninen taking big points off his title rivals - like Tanak did last season. Seb and Kris get along well too, with Meeke almost pushing for Seb to come into the team as soon as he left VW.
But if Citroen have the money to get Lappi AND Seb, then they'll certainly have a very strong driver line-up next season.
Meeke in Toyota would be interesting. Historically he performs well when not under pressure. In Toyota he clearly wouldn't be number 1, then again there would be the pressure from his teammate(s) being faster than him. So it could go either way. Quite a risky pick.
Very lucky man if this comes off!Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
David evans is like gigigalli1 of journalism...
no surprise that only basic like forms like the brits take him seriously...
Evans is not well liked. But you have to say...it looks like Makinen quotes are real.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Mäkinen is also a master of talking much but not saying anything. You could ask him about any driver and he will say "it's a possibility he will be a part of our team but we need to wait and see".Quote:
Originally Posted by wrc2017
Probably more chance of seeing a young Japanese driver in a wrc toyota yaris for a round or two than meeke next year.
Can malcolm rebuild yazeed's heat treated fiesta?
I think we can already just talk directly about Katsuta.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeakiwi
*life...Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
What is there to rebuild? Only thing left is a steel carcass and that also gets pretty weak in a fire.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeakiwi
Meeke just posted a photo,while last months had very little posts about rally.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn6hTyhF...d=nkvwikfy9nsp
the only realistic option for him is to get some sponsorship money and join m-sport... and is a realistic target if ford lose Ogier since they will need a big name in their team.
Why toyota would sign Meeke... they have latvala to test the structural integrity of the parts of the car...
A British driver getting sponsorship money for a WRC drive - I'll believe that when I see it......Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Evans?
Couldn't agree moreQuote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
That photo has been posted on his account before now. The difference is the colour filter, which has been mentioned on Instagram the colours look like they reflect the tgr Yaris colours. Given the timing of this post and the new rumours circulating today, it looks like a deal may have been done.
people are now making contract conclusions based on insta photo?
Colors are the same, the difference is that his face and the background are black and white.
There are only a few drivers and teams for them and most are saying they have deals. Get on with it and tell us !
I bet half of these rumours and the delay in announcements are just to put WRC in the social media and motorsport headlines...
there is 4 drivers that can win rallys on their own merit. The rest will fall into place. end of story.