Thats a fairly big speculation based on the last 4 rallies, especially considering his car broke on two of them.
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Thats a fairly big speculation based on the last 4 rallies, especially considering his car broke on two of them.
It’s not just about the results but Latvala often seems to be the slowest Toyota driver these days.
However I can’t see them wanting anybody else in their third car next year, unless they could persuade Neuville maybe, so I guess he’s safe until if and when one of the Japanese guys is ready.
Yes, we'll have to wait and see. He was confident and very fast early on at Argentina before the car broke which is a good sign.
Don't forget it was only a year or two ago that many people were writing off Neuville as having lost it and being on the way out too and...
Pacenote error broke the car.*
Like I said, totally too early for silly season. The game could change totally with the contracts ending, but we have to look at the two following rallies before the summer break comes and the negotiations probably start. It could put a lot of pressure on some drivers. For counter-example Lappi has shown already he has the speed and is a driver to make offers for, he just needs a bit more experience and practice to shave off the little mistakes.
No way that Toyota´s line up will change for the next year.
Of course Tänak will be 1st driver and Lappi 2nd, but surely J-M will continue. There is no much better drivers and Toyota & Tommi seems to be loyal..
So early into the 2018 season and we´re discussing next years line up?
Come on! This is news and rumours topic. Not crystal ball 2019.
So much to happen before this year ends up.
The main contracts are typically signed around Finland-time (though published later). Latest example is Tanak. Mikkelsen last year was a bit special case, even so he was still signed in (early) September.
So Portugal and Sardinia will be extremely important.
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As others pointed out it's not hard to see who the pressure is on:
Evans
Suninen
Breen
(Citroen team as a manufacturer)
Paddon
(Latvala isn't under pressue imo, being Finish and with the manager he has he will stay at Toyota, unless Japan decides to sign Ogier or Neuville against Tommi's wishes)
(Meeke's future is totally linked to Citroen imo, I don't see anyone signing him since he still has not shown reliability+speed combined. After driving for so long only double win would have any chance of changing that. Well maybe M-Sport might be interested if they can get him cheap and/or Ogier leaves)
Ogier and Neuville don't have to show anything. Ogier came back this year and showed he still has speed. Likewise Neuville showed he can avoid stupid mistakes.