Tänak is also a co-owner of MM-Motorsport...
Wouldn`t be surprised about the second part also.
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Tänak is also a co-owner of MM-Motorsport...
Wouldn`t be surprised about the second part also.
TGR/TMR Estonia and MM-Motorsport are in same place (same yard/buildings)
Tanak is the kingpin on the driver market.
not much will happen until he is crossed off.
My bet; Neuville stays, Ogier stays, Lappi stays, Latvala stays, Meeke moves.
If Tanak stay, then Mikkelsen goes to MSport. if Tanak goes to MSport Mikkelsen might still follow, but more logical stays.
Østberg and Breen are jokers for what seat is left, if any.
Think Mads will bring budget and run as a 3rd Citroen entry (maybe not for all rallies though). They'll want to have a stronger showing in the manufacturers championship for as little the cost possible.
He won't get in anywhere else and doubt he wants to go back to paying Malcolm since that relationship soured.
The reason for Tänak's visit to the M-Sport tent was getting Greensmith's signature :D :D :D
https://twitter.com/richmillener/sta...32393103347713
I don't think those two are the best (let alone by far) for that specific role, the number one in the team who should challenge for the title. Mikkelsen is sort of a modern-day Sordo - great driver in a certain role, but is lacking the critical last few tenths and hundredths required to be in the fight for the title. Evans sure has potential, but it's about time he starts to consistently deliver. Suninen might be a bit too green for the #1 role in 2020 and Meeke seems to have lost his magical speed. Of all the guys mentioned in the quoted post, I'd still say Latvala - given the right circumstances - has the best shot for the title. Even in 2020. What JML needs, is the undeniable leader role in the team, and IF Tänak leaves, it might just be possible. Still a longshot though, but possible.
For start I will repeat that I don't think any of these 5 are a clear number 1 candidate, which is why we are talking about it in the first place.
Anyway out of these Latvala, Meeke and Evans all already were or are (Evans) number 1 driver and only Latvala was really in a title fight. But that year (2017) also showed that the consistency (in speed) wasn't still there, nobody knows how much was that due to the car just not being fast on some rallies and how much was the driver. At that time people most thought it was the car, but last two years showed that it could also have been the driver. (compare tarmac speed on Corsica this year with Tanak and Meeke vs Latvala for example).
Mikkelsen has never been n1, but historically his main problem is that he lacks the last 1/10 of speed to win by. Which is important when win gives 7 more points than 2nd place.
Evans looks like a very good n2 to have in any team to me, but doesn't have consistent speed on more rallies, even though he can win on a few. Note that he is 1 year older than Mikkelsen and basically same number of full season WRC drives.
Obviously it's too early for Suninen to be n1, but maybe the season after. Clearly not a good idea to have something like Suninen + Rovanpera+Katsuta (at Toyota) or Suninen+Greensmith+Tidemand/Paddon (at MSport), those combination just simply lack the experience needed when things are not working perfectly. (see Finland this year)
What if Ogier doesn't continue next year with Citroen.... and retires early