[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[RS]

Hannu Mikkola became a world champion at the age of 41. Loeb is not doing that bad either, neither is Räikkönen for example

Rossi, or in a different sport Federer.. old people are back in fashion.

[Allez Andruet]

Article also mentions that Kalle has already tested Toyota, was this announced before and I just missed that?

Already in 2016: https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/...9398#gs.ljdzif

[racerx1979]

Well some rumors suggest JML is on the chopping block. This was before Sardegna... Unless he does some crazy transformation in the next 3-4 rallies

[Co-FIN]

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[steve.mandzij]

Well some rumors suggest JML is on the chopping block. This was before Sardegna... Unless he does some crazy transformation in the next 3-4 rallies

Tommi would definitely sack Latvala before anyone else. He's incredibly fond of Tanak and Meeke and would have sacked JML last year if the Japanese hadn't wanted him to stay.

[racerx1979]

At this rate Latvala is the worst performer in the squad. I'm a huge Latvala fan, but business is business. It might be a good thing if JML can be a team leader at MSport, but I don't think that will happen. I also think Tanak will sign a 3-3 yr deal with TGR this year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Let's be honest, Latvala has had a great long run in WRC, but it's time to give a younger generation it's chance.

Meeke is getting old too but hasnt had nearly so many WRC seasons.

[tommeke_B]

It might be a good thing if JML can be a team leader at MSport, but I don't think that will happen.

Well, from the outside you would think Latvala can barely manage himself during rallies..

[mknight]

I said it before that I think it's too early for Kalle to do full season. He has shown this year that he still has things to learn in R5. Imo ideal would be only a few rallies in WRC next year.

However, it is very likely he will get more than one year deal no matter how he performs in 2020, so it's probably not very risky for him. On the other hand it is very risky for Toyota as they might get quite a lot weaker in the manu championship. Then again given results of Toyota drivers besides Tanak this year, you can argument that it's not possible to do much worse anyway.

[doubled1978]

I’m sure that Toyota fully expect there to be a few bent Yaris WRC next year, but there have been a few this year anyway. I’d put Rovanpera in and let him drive, he’s clearly on the upward trajectory and one of the few that look like having the capacity to join the Tanak/Neuville/Ogier level...
As for Latvala, I have always thought he would be better off with less pressure from other drivers in the same team, Msport....I’m sure he would do a good job there, like his first season at Toyota.