Azores Rallye 2021

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Originally Posted by Danny0405

The issue for Mikkelsen is that he targets a job in Rally1. And considering his experience, people think it is almost normal if he wins WRC-2 and ERC championships (against Lukyanuk, Llarena, Marczyk, Bulacia and Ostberg)
So he must show other than just consistency at one moment (especially now which is the decisive period of silly season) even if it is important for him to win championships. It may explain what he has just said after the last stage and I think it is why he took risks at the beginning of the season.

Even if I’m not a fan, I must recognize his position is not simple between just winning championships (with some consistency Ingram-style) and showing speed (to attract Hyundai or M-Sport or, less probably, Toyota).
In this Rallye, he has shown good speed if we remember his wipers’ issues in SS2.

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Indeed.

Although there is no real real doubt about his speed (he is a former WRC rally winner), but he has been seen as inconsistent over the years, probably hence why he fell out of the WRC when VW quit.

Teams are looking for both speed and consistency and he can show the latter best now by ensuring a couple of Titles.

BTW, great live coverage by Azores Rally TV again today, with both stage side and helicopter coverage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5nDE0TGHy8

Hats off to local Azores Rallye TV all weekend - superb coverage, no issues (all stages, heli shots, interviews from service etc). And all free on youtube, great stuff.

I'd imagine the heli stuff is from Eurosport and in return ERC Youtube/Facebook uses Azores TV stage side footage on their coverage. It would be a good model to persue going forward, if Eurosport were staying.

Mikkelsen takes another 6.7s out of Sordo. His lead is 14.3s with one stage to go.

Well done to Mikkelsen and Edmondson, they managed the day perfectly, and their calculations were absolutely spot on. Also good job by Sordo and Carrera, they also did very well with new tyres and not the best R5. Llarena and Sara finishes 3rd in the end after Moura's roll, also well done to both teams! :)

Sad end for Moura after a great drive by the Azorean after two years away from rallying.

Stupid mistake (his words) from Moura at the last stage, lost a podium :(

Sete Cidades was visible so anybody first time in Azores Rally can ticked the event :) Any rumors about future? Would be really sad to lost this event, but if Fafe is gonna to be in ERC then... Plus somebody from WRC Promoter saying bulshit that ERC should be on continent.

Top drive from Mikkelsen on this one.
Correct tempo to be close to the top, at the same time not to run out of tyres for the last loop.