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There is an option linked to performance. Obviously I haven't got access to information as to what the option is but I guess Hyundai not being able to deliver the 'new' i20 this year as planned may be a factor to have an escape clause.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Useless speculation from the m-sport PR team... they cannot afford neuville they only let people who pay drive.
Most drivers has showed speed in fair competition in their very beginning. JML and Mikko did. Abbring? Well, not yet. Itīs a wonder if he will. But letīs give him the chances many of other guys didnīt.
What is your definition of 'fair competition?' Abbring became the youngest JWRC rally winner in 2009 in only his 3rd year rallying, in an R3 Clio which probably wasn't as quick as the S1600 cars which he was competing against.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
If you mean in a world rallycar then yes I agree. Sweden was solid but not incredible. Given the circumstances that was all to expect there though.
Even if it is a "wonder", he has shown some times he is capable of small wonders.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
He is 26 already and achieved nothing, showed nothing so he will probably become nothing at the top level... good driver but not for the WRC.
The sole fact VW has been considered him as factory driver is an achievement itself.
Let's see about Abbring.
He says he will be world champion in about 5 years, so the confidence is there :D
What is it with nobodies and number 5 ?Quote:
Originally Posted by MartijnS
WIlson had a 5 year plan as well...
Abbring is good for the ERC but not the WRC.
Without some confidence, there can't be success. That's for sure;)Quote:
Originally Posted by MartijnS
It's impossible to judge a driver after one rally in a surface he doesn't know. On other championships he has done well, we must wait.
If Neuville's goal is to never win another round of the WRC, then this would be the perfect move for him!Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Mikko? Really? I thought those first years were pretty disappointing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Abbring has had one event with minimal testing. Rallying is not F1 where pretty much anyone can jump in straight away and do a decent job.
Care to elaborate on that bold statement ?Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
In F1 there are simulators pretty close to reality. In rally only onboard footage. Abbring needs mileage, mileage and mileage as much and as long as possible. All the other youngsters with lots of cash in their early careers like JML and Mikkelsen were able to drive around quite anonymously for years under the banner "very talented but needs lot to learn", only to be seen in you tube in case of big crashes... Abbring never had any budget and was even at home in beginning of 2013. All the guys here on the forum who are judging him now are very very very good my congratulations they should make a lot of money as Top Advisors for the WRC teams. I'm impressed....Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
when was last time M-sport won an event ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Karukera
you have your elaboration by answering that.
When they had drivers for the task.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
The Fiesta is good enough to win events.
The point is Neuville should concentrate on reaching the finish to send data back if he wants to win a rally properly.
they have not won an event in ages while other manufacturers won when the VW where out of the way (even an undeveloped hyundai and the abu-dhabi team)... so it is the car as well that is not good, get back to reality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karukera
GRE 3rd, ITA 2nd, FIN 2nd, GER 2nd, AUS 2nd, FRA 4th, ESP 4th, GBR 3rd ... not a bad set of results the last time the Fiesta WRC had a decent driver on board (Neuville 2013).
Sure. Although my original post was somewhat tongue in cheek, it is worth considering these questions: When was the last time a Ford/M-Sport driver won a round of the WRC? When was the last time Ford/M-Sport won the driver's championship, or the constructor's title for that matter? I think you get my point. Malcolm had been in charge for a looooooong time, and hasnt had the success other teams have had.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karukera
Αigner at wrc?
http://www.andreasaigner.at/de/rally...ews/Go4WRC.php
For sure many guys here judge drivers to be future WDC and even more if possible. Some judge them after what they see, sometimes more sometimes less. We are all advisors to WRC-teams. Some better some not so good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ounin
So far regarding Abbring no one could speak of him as future champion.
Politics at Ford MSport might be mediocre, reality is that actually and again, the car is good enough in the hands of a decent driver as per Eddie's stats and could quickly go back to win with a fraction of VW's expenses.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Loeb should be out of the equation, not fair. Neuville's win on attrition means nothing.
the citroen is a useless photoshop not the real one.
The new Ford looks nice and aggresive.
too fragile for a raly car the front wing,to be true.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
yes looks more suited to the racetrack, maybe they will modify it for gravel events at least.
Showed Breen a clean set of heels last year. But this is another level, which I think he's worthy of....Abbring that is.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
He is top tier in the ERC but i think he doesn't have to offer something special in the WRC.
With the greatest of respect, from where else will the next generation of non paying drivers come from? Abbring stood out from the beginning of last year and several of us knew he would have the upper hand in the PSA bag of bolts he was given. Lappi was the only other shining light from the ERC last year, but has too much of an erratic nature despite blindingly obvious speed. I look forward to Keith Cronins appearance in Portugal in WRC2 for what its worth. A genuine talent,Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
unfortunately if you do not have money you have to be exceptionally talented to survive in the sport, only Loeb managed that and Ogier who got support from their country's federation.
It is good that Abbring gets his chance since he is still young but i just do not see any big things coming from him... we will see.
Well, Neuville had no money either... ;) For Abbring time will tell, in my opinion he's one of the most talented drivers that isn't at top of WRC yet. He showed to be quickest on every ERC event last year before retiring each time with mechanical failure, next logical step for him is WRC. But I'm afraid his program this year (5 events) is too limited to really develop himself in a WRC car.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Mechanical failures sometimes come up depending on how to use your material. Be fast and brake your car down. Be smooth and finnish. Here we are again in this useless discussion.
open a kevin abbring thread, this is news & rumours
Abbring drives quite smooth, sure not as brutal as Breen, but he will never be Finnish. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Electronical failure and engine failure doesn't have much to do with the driver I think... A reliable Peugeot 208 T16 is something that didn't exist yet last year, and I'm very surprised to see they are proving much more reliable now.
Check this out: http://www.rallye-magazin.de/wm/nach...en-titelkampf/
If google translated well Matton said that after 2017 they need a top driver in Citroen: one between Ogier, Neuville, Latvala and Mikkelsen.
Otherwise they won't win a world championship "and we are running for that". (does that mean, or we have a top driver or we say bye bye? Or they are just going to spend money for a top driver?)
Do you think they will take one of that four?
Abu dhabi team should stop spreading stupid PR blah blah.... we have enough of that form m-sport.
They do not have the money to produce a proper evolution of their car and they consider evolution the new plastics they added.... how will they afford ogier or any driver ??
It is a pity to see that such a dominant team deteriorated into a dying fleabag dog.
They're out of WTCC at the end of this year, that's how they afford it....Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
So the rumour goes, any way.