[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

RS · 7th October 2019, 05:14

Unless Ogier or Tanak become free i don't see a way in which Adamo can make a vast improvement to his driver lineup. Perhaps he should concentrate his wrath at the car/engineers.

**meh** · 7th October 2019, 06:22

Did anyone else picked up phrase from Ostberg in ALL Live (rephrased as I remember them):
Molly: do you have changes next year for seat-time?
Ostberg: of course, let's say not all drivers have had the best season.

In Finland I picked up from interview something like "I can help manufacturers to help winning title" and then I linked him with Toyota (only by this phrase).

**EstWRC** · 7th October 2019, 06:38

Yep, i wrote this already after Finland, maybe getting some partial outings with Citroen? and it wouldnt be surprise at all if Adamo would hire him to Hyundai. Time will tell.

Mäkinen says to estonian media that contract is ready for Tänak and the pen in Otts hands. Goes on saying that Ott wants to be sure that the Toyota is fast and reliable for winning titles. Everything was fine after Finland but after Turkey some mismatches were created.

Then these same questions about Rovanpera again, and same answers again. He thinks Rovanpera is ready and etc.

In the end he says his opinion about Meeke has changed a lot after the Finland. Saying that Meeke finally isnt thinking about winning rallies and title anymore, and understand his value as the second driver. Even goes on comparing him to Sordo.

and in the end reporter asks: "So the line up next year will be Tänak, Meeke and Rovanpera?

Mäkinen: "That would be the dream yes"

**Allez Andruet** · 7th October 2019, 06:54

It will be interesting to see how many Toyotas there are in 2020. There will be a fourth car for Katsuta, but could they run a so-called junior team (Katsuta/Rovanperä?) alongside the main squad?

Meeke's position should be quite strong now - opposite to Latvala's. Even with the Jouhki connection, JML could very well be out. Tänak-Meeke-Mikkelsen anyone?

**meh** · 7th October 2019, 07:19

https://www.facebook.com/PostimeesSp...214310126/?t=3

check from 20:18+ how Tänak and Ogier are smiling when Mäkinen is talking about signing Tänak's contract. Any body-language experts here?

**EstWRC** · 7th October 2019, 07:20

i believe the contract has been signed some time ago already, they are just bullshitting

E: watched it now, haha that was funny, Ogier even shaking his head and holding laugh back when Tommi is speaking

**steve.mandzij** · 7th October 2019, 10:50

So where does Latvala go? I'm afraid another year at Toyota will drive him further into the ground with how little Tommi cares to keep him onboard. He's got arguably the best car, sure, but I think the time is right to hop on over to M-Sport, inject some funds into the private team and lead Evans and Suninen into 2020.

**dimviii** · 7th October 2019, 13:24

any more news?
https://twitter.com/planetemarcus/st...53903406174208

**mknight** · 7th October 2019, 13:54

Originally Posted by dimviii

any more news?
https://twitter.com/planetemarcus/st...53903406174208

3 main options that I see:

1. It's nothing (very) important, either political issues related (current South Korea-Japan) or something else

2. Hyundai don't have a (tarmac) driver to send there, Loeb does not want to go and Sordo will likely do Australia shortly after so they don't want to send him there (could mean Breen is not going to drive in Australia)

3. Hyundai doesn't plan to run in 2020

**spiderem** · 7th October 2019, 19:45

Anyone out there is thinking that Hyundai may pull out at the end of 2019?
Rational would say : it depends if they can get a manufacturer / driver title.
However those decisions are made earlier and irrespective of the final result and / or irrationally to the common poeple (VW being an example in my opinion).

Anyway, I wouldn't be so confident in the future if I were Neuville.