I would like to see a bit more speed from Mikelssen too, but I don't think he's as slow as Ostberg. Remember his team mate is quite good.
Printable View
People only reply because of the OTT criticism of Ostberg... but no-one said he was the best or fastest in the first place..
Should he beat the factory drivers in the best cars ? No.
But from the criticism you'd think he should...
One persons moaning/excuses is another persons reasons/circumstances.
I dont mind people criticising when its fair to do so, but there seems to be some strange thing with Mads.
They treat him like he is some kind of imposter when he actually finished 4th in the 2015 WDC - first driver behind the all-conquering VWs.
He's basically a one-man team for M-Sport and needs to get them points, whatever it takes, as no-one else is going to. Going flat-out to complete with the factory teams means big-risks and a chance of going off and therefore no points. And if he does try that hard he is still like to come off worse due to the inferior car. Whether he comes say 4th, 5th or 6th by 1 min or 5 mins doesnt affect the points he gets for that position... so why take big risks ?
He should finish 7th after the factory drivers but he is usually higher, so what is he doing so wrong ? He is currently 3rd in the Championship.
Save your harsh criticism for the likes of Neuville or Latvala.
Mr Consistent
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cg1A59tW4AMp_ch.jpg
WRC.com
Mads Østberg (Ford Fiesta RS)
Result: 5th
Fifth was a disappointing result for Mads who went to Argentina hoping for a third successive podium. Slower than fellow Fiesta RS pilot Tanak on the opening three stages, Mads denied there was anything wrong but, as the event wore on, his upbeat end of stage comments seemed increasingly out of step with his stage times. For a driver who claimed to be in a good rhythm and driving hard why wasn't he more competitive? It's a mystery. And one M-Sport has pledged to investigate before Portugal.
Table with old point system (20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1) (1973-arg2016)
1 SEBASTIEN LOEB 2214
2 CARLOS SAINZ 1860
3 JUHA KANKUNEN 1465
4 MIKO HIRVONEN 1439
5 PETER SOLBERG 1293
6 MARCUS GRONHOLM 1279
7 MARKKU ALEN 1104
8 JARI MATI LATVALA 1095
9 SEBASTIAN OGIER 1027
10 DIDIER AURIOL 1025
11 COLIN MCRAE 1024
12 TOMMY MAKINEN 971
13 DANI SORDO 893
14 HANNU MIKKOLA 833
15 RICHARD BURNS 805
16 MASSIMO BIASION 768
17 BJORN WALDEGARD 719
18 STIG BLOMQVIST 694
19 WALTER ROEHRL 588
20 TIMO SALONEN 586
21 KENNETH ERIKSSON 576
22 ARI VATANEN 558
23 MADS OSTBERG 519
24 MARKKO MARTIN 487
25 FRANCOIS DELECOUR 482
ANDREAS MIKKELSEN 345
HAYDEN PADDON 142
THIERRY NEUVILLE 337
KRIS MEEKE 174