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But after Ford's performance this year they don't really need him do they?Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Any word on whether there is any chance of a return to 3-car teams next year, or even wider system such as used in IRC? Or has that been filed in the ideas bin labelled "too good" at FIA hq?
Ville and NOT - I see what your saying, and perhaps my goldfish-like memory has ruined my point. What I was trying to say was that Ogier may actually be as good as Loeb now, however I don't think he will now be allowed to win again if Loeb is behind him. His win in Portugal was allowed only because of his tactics in Jordan. Now he is in the Citroen Total team, his aim will be manufacturer points and to SUPPORT Loeb, not challenge him for wins.
Yes, he was already controlled by Quesnel, but do you think that Citroen would allow Ogier to beat Loeb if the title battle gets remotely close? I feel this is just a way to appease Ogier - have a go in the 'big boys' team and get experience with the mechanics etc, and in return you will not beat Loeb but just support him.
think its a bit of BS for Sordo after all these years sitting behind Loeb and not being able to win! He's had the opportunities but what the team says must go. He's there to support. Ogier being bumped up for a few rounds as said in the wrc article takes the pressure off of Sordo.... so perhaps he can push and we WILL see what potential Sordo has. I wish him the best and will wait to see what he will come up with!
I think that the reason is completely opposite. You believe that the sun is yellow and sky is blue? It is not so straightforward! It is related to the fact that Citroen gets much more publicity when Ogier wins Loeb again. Who cares was it Loebs 5xth or 10xth win? But when someone young FRENCH guy comes and beats him. Voilaa. And now Citroen do not need to worry about loosing manufacturer points like they did in Portugal. Get it? It is all about marketing and titles.. who cares which Frenchman takes it.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
You may very well be right, but do you think Loeb will be happy if Citroen let Ogier beat him? Yes - it will be good for Citroen's publicity and make Ogier a better driver, but while Loeb is still in the WRC he will be the main man at Citroen, I have no doubt.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
the few tarmac rounds ill be sordos swan song for the citroen works team will they keep him there next year in some role ie third driver or junior team if that is still there.
i think Quesnel has really dealt Sordo a raw deal after all he's done for the team over the few years at least one win would be some form of payback.
it does seem Quesnel is very blinded to a french bias and maybe it has been a chink in the teams aromur over the years but i think Guy frequelin was a more fairer man.
But then Oiger was prob only stop Gap untill a french driver came up the ranks to complet the ultimate french super team a bit like merc in F1 but then hey the Manufacturer pumps the money in they have the right to dictate what happens
We will seeQuote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
Good move of Citroen to give Ogier more responsibility, I dont think Loeb will continiue his carreer so long anymore and Ogier would be the best possible replacement atlest at the moment, maybe it would be good for Sordo to look around for new team if its not too late already, it would be a pity if he end up driving in irc or some national series.
Sordo will drive for Citroen "junior" team next year together with Kimi.
Point remains that Ogier wouldn't have more freedom to fight for wins in the junior team than he will in the works team (on the contrary they'll want him to score as much points for the manufacturers as possible which should make them hesitant to sacrifice him the way they did in Jordan, for example, even if he may or may not be allowed to beat Loeb). I don't think he'll be more under Citroen's control than he's been before.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
thought it was official that he is driving for the works Citroen together with Loeb AND Ogier in 2011. Maybe im wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo
I really don't see why Citroen should bother putting Sordo in the junior team, he is persistant, but never is allowed to win. And he would have probably only won 1 WRC event if he was allowed to.
And as for Kimmi, it's nice to see that he wants to keep away from F1.
I'm assuming Sordo will now have a downgraded car? He should start negotiating with new teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo
With what teams?
Sordo will win at least one of those tarmacd events, and will help Loeb and Citroen more than Ogier!!
Phil Mills left Petter Solberg's right seat. =(
Phil Mills is stopping after this season?
Effective as of now :(Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
No. Two hours agoQuote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
THIS IS BIG BIG Surprise !!!??? What happened ? I always thought he going to stay with Petter till the "end"....Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
In the latest issue of VM Magazine there's a Latvala interview where he says the following:
- He will most likely contest in Lahti Historic Rally with Escort BDA. It's the event he won last year with the same car.
- M-Sport have made a sort of prototype of the new Fiesta WRC that have the current 2.0-litre turbo engine (detuned). The all-new 1,6-litre turbo engine is ready, but not yet fitted to the car. He have not yet driven Fiesta S2000, but will do so this summer. M-Sport is test driving the new car near M-Sport base.
Suggestions elsewhere that not one team has yet got a 1.6 turbo engine ready yet and that the two current teams Ford and Citroen may try and push the FIA into allowing them to run their current engines in the new cars in 2011....
This whole tranistion of new WRC cars must rank as THE worst managed change in the history of motorsport. FFS we are 6 months away from the new start and Citroen and Ford say yesterday on wrc.com that they will have 4 cars each ready, I guess the Citroen 4 will be the same as this year and Ford MH, JML plus 2 others. i know that many here will say they dont care but what about Ken Block, and the others who run WRC cars, the Solberg brothers etc. and what about Atko? what cars are these going to drive next year? Normal S2000 - that will certainly create more of a 2 tier champ (in reality the current customer cars are at least nominally the same spec, but in reality several evolutions behind). Instead of allowing the new cars with the current engines they should be made to run standard S2000, afterall Ford has a Fiesta and Citroen could no doubt run a 207 engine in the DS3.
No, No and No...!!! It was both Ford and Citroen who wanted 1.6T engines - if they can't get them ready tough!! Use an S2000 - which is what should have happened for 2-3 years - until the S1.6T came in.Quote:
Originally Posted by sal
No doubt, they will get their way.... :mad:
1.6T is the correct formula and the way the whole industry is going, but I am sure that if standard S2000 would have come in from 2010 as was initially talked about WRC would be healthier. Martin Holmes wrote in gpweek.com that since the Japanese have left Citroen and Ford hold all the power, and whatever FIA think these 2 remaining manufacturers run the show. So much so I am beginning to doubt they want any new manufacturer joining their exclusive club.
Ona related theme if as has been said so many times that small capcity turbo petrol engines is what mainstream car makers will be building, where exactly does 4 wheel drive fit into that picture, 2 wheel drive, 1.6T cars are what the public will be the mainstay.
Morrie Chandler put all the power in hands of citroen and ford. WRC needs new leader. J. Todt made more positive statements on WRC in few months then Chandler in few years.. Not good for the sport..
Much politics going on. Citroen(PSA), Ford, Skoda(VAG) and probably several other have engines they could have used today, if they wanted to. You could get 98% of the performance and 95% of the reliability with parts already available.Quote:
Originally Posted by sal
Sorry if you talked about this on another threat, Kankkunen the great is planning to run in 1000 lakes Rally on a Focus WRC sponsored by Neste Oil
http://www.rallybuzz.com/kkk-norf-entry/
PS: For me Finland Rally always will be called 1000 lakes Rally
Cosworth racing will co-devellop boxer engine with Subaru...
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...e-ar92108.html
Toyota and Prodrive rumoured to team up for 2011...
http://www.crash.net/world+rally/new..._2011_wrc.html
after Mini and Prodrive, now rumours are with Toyota.....Quote:
Originally Posted by turves
I also heard a rumour that Prodrive is preparing the next Tata Nano WRC. The shells already arrived at the company´s base at Banbury and Lapworth and co are working on the next Loeb and DS3 beater....
Come on lets hear some concrete news. I´m fed up with all those prodrive rumours/releases especially from crash.net
First picQuote:
Originally Posted by Leon
http://blog.niot.net/blog-images/220...-this-year.jpg
;)
While meeting with press today about NORF 2010, Juha Kankkunen also comfirmed in his role as WRC advisor to FIA that Toyota is in talks about a comeback to the sport. But nothing more. He also named Proton, KIA and Nissan as makes that have shown interest towards WRC. But nothing more.
Link to a Finnish news story.
M.Chandler is only figure that turns how wind blows..
By the end of this month we should get concrete news.Quote:
Originally Posted by Leon
Why would Toyota enlist Prodrive to do a job that their offshoot (TTE) could do as successfully??
silly rumours link Prodrive to everything as it obvious the creators of such dribble would like to see Prodrive back. wouldn't we all, as well as either MRE/Ralliart, TTE etc
Does TTE exist anymore ?
They still have employees in Cologne whether they are "TTE" or ex F1 i'm not sure.
I heard that Nicolas Todt was negotiating about buying complete Toyota F1 facilities in Cologne to help him enter F1 with his ART GP team.
Any news about mini? It's middle of the year and there's no sign of a car and testing..