Hyundai WRT

[er88]

I don't think you can really give team orders after 2/3 events to two drivers like Neuville and Tanak.

They have had numerous close battles over the last few years, and both now know how to drive very fast and stay on the road. They both know with the championship battles being so close, going off the road is a mini disaster and clearly not in eithers interest. If you start telling Neuville to drive like a bitch and not push, you've lost him. If come the 2nd part of the season one driver is clearly ahead of the other, then you will get team orders, but don't expect any team orders early on if both drivers are running at the front at the time and in a close fight.

Also, Hyundai shouldn't even need team orders because they have 2 of the top 3 drivers - so they should walk the manufacturers championship - and that's without mentioning the great insurance of having Sordo and Loeb with generally great road position in most events as backup.

Hyundai wanted two top drivers in their team to fight for the title back in 2017 when they hired Mikkelsen for 18/19, but Hyundai, Mikkelsen and a lot of people on here didnt expect him to fail so badly and offer no challenge to Neuville whatsoever.

[mknight]

Hyundai wanted two top drivers in their team to fight for the title back in 2017 when they hired Mikkelsen for 18/19

This example actually demonstrates the problem.
As you said Hyundai were (based on the 3 2017 outings in I20) expecting that Mikkelsen would fight for championship. So he was allowed to push on start of the season and this resulted in him taking points off Neuville in Sweden Power Stage. (and both him and Sordo took points off Neuville in Mexico right after)

Sure it was just one point in Sweden, but by the end of the season Neuville was very vocal that Hyundai needs to use teamorders immediately from the start. Ogier got teamorders that helped him move ahead of Evans already early in Sweden (and then a few times later on).

So based on Neuvilles and Tanaks results so far it is entirely likely that they will get free reign at the start... and potentially take points off each other that will help Ogier get a title.

EDIT: Btw. Neuville did get a lot of team order help this year already starting from Sweden, with basically no Hyundai being allowed to push on any PS unless there were special circumstances and also given a position multiple times.

[er88]

This example actually demonstrates the problem.
As you said Hyundai were (based on the 3 2017 outings in I20) expecting that Mikkelsen would fight for championship. So he was allowed to push on start of the season and this resulted in him taking points off Neuville in Sweden Power Stage. (and both him and Sordo took points off Neuville in Mexico right after)

Sure it was just one point in Sweden, but by the end of the season Neuville was very vocal that Hyundai needs to use teamorders immediately from the start. Ogier got teamorders that helped him move ahead of Evans already early in Sweden (and then a few times later on).

So based on Neuvilles and Tanaks results so far it is entirely likely that they will get free reign at the start... and potentially take points off each other that will help Ogier get a title.

In 2017 a measly point or two in a power stage wasn't the reason Neuville lost the title though. He chucked away over 50pts when in commanding leads in Monte and Sweden. The only person to blame for losing that title was Neuville himself - not the car and not his team mates taking one or two points from him in the power stages.

I envisage some tension at points between Tanak/Neuville and Adamo, but it should be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things because the manufacturers title is already won in all likelihood. Look at the difference in points between the top 3 drivers and then the next batch of drivers....., if you have Tanak and Neuville in the same team they could win the manufacturers title even with Sheikh Khalid in the 3rd car (no offence to him). But they have the GOAT and an in form Sordo as backup...

The only hope for any other team is if Lappi steps up massively + Ostberg does a few events and the C3s upgrades work brilliantly. Or if Toyotas drivers suddenly make a huge step up to become genuine championship challengers (which I cant see happening next year with Evans, Meeke or Latvala if he stays. Certainly Kalle won't in his 1st season).

As for the drivers title, I agree Tanak and Neuville could maybe work against eachother vs Ogier, but that's the risk Adamo has to manage. It certainly is an easier risk to live with when one title should already be in the bag

[dimviii]

I don't think you can really give team orders after 2/3 events to two drivers like Neuville and Tanak.

.

depents from the situation,if Adamo see that he has to give orders to protect his manufacture chances,he will do it.
Thats why they pay him.

[mknight]

In 2017 a measly point or two in a power stage wasn't the reason Neuville lost the title though. He chucked away over 50pts when in commanding leads in Monte and Sweden. The only person to blame for losing that title was Neuville himself - not the car and not his team mates taking one or two points from him in the power stages.

This was in 2018 a few points actually mattered a lit cause it meant Neuville had to finish ahead of Ogier in Australia.

But sure rest is spot on. It can mean Adamo has maybe a little bit higher risk of loosing driver title to Ogier but it should mean manu title is decided...
But you never know for sure. Hyundai did look like by far the biggest favourites for 2017 manu title as well and actually did have the fastest car most of the year, yet MSport won it with rallies to spare.

[er88]

This was in 2018 a few points actually mattered a lit cause it meant Neuville had to finish ahead of Ogier in Australia.

But sure rest is spot on. It can mean Adamo has maybe a little bit higher risk of loosing driver title to Ogier but it should mean manu title is decided...
But you never know for sure. Hyundai did look like by far the biggest favourites for 2017 manu title as well and actually did have the fastest car most of the year, yet MSport won it with rallies to spare.

Oh yeah you're right, got the seasons mixed up there. Will be interesting to see how it pans out, I think the biggest issue Adamo might have is managing the one out of Neuville/Tanak who is getting beaten by his team mate and/or has poor results (for their high standards).

Both can be stroppy and very demanding, both will believe before the season starts they are the best driver in the world, both aren't great losers and both will want to try and make themselves #1 in the team. Now they have no hiding place when it comes to direct comparison.

Adamo has to ensure both remain mentally strong and focused, and prevent any wars from blowing up. I maybe wrong but I don't think Neuville and Tanak particularly like eachother on top of all that, in fact there's been rumours/hints for years that Neuville isn't the most popular among other drivers or easy to get along with (not a criticism, I'm sure he doesn't give a shit what his competitors think).

[Tarmop]

There have been also talks, that after the rallies, chilling and drinking bear, Neuville is a really nice chap...go figure.

[Oliverk]

There have been also talks, that after the rallies, chilling and drinking bear, Neuville is a really nice chap...go figure.

Yes he is. Seen that twice in Sardinia, so is Sordo and Meeke.

[EstWRC]

How can you chill if you are drinking a bear at the same time ?

[pantealex]

YLE is suggesting that:

Jari-Matti Latvala would drive 3rd Hyundai in Sweden and Finland.

Have to say that: He would be the BEST choice for those 2 rallies.