[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[T16]

Not completely. Suninen lost brakes in Portugal, Evans had an electrical glitch in Portugal and a misfire in Wales. Also more engine troubles in early 2017, plus Bouffier's complete engine failure in Corsica 2018, something that's more rare with the current cars.

Fair point about Portugal, but I'm still convinced Evans' Welsh misfire was a 'political' misfire and 2017 / 2018 engine troubles shouldn't really be brought into play now.

On balance, this season, the Ford does look bullet-proof in comparison to the Toyota.

[GravelBen]

...and he has kept himself sharp while doing the rounds in NZ. Yes, it isnt the same but at least he hasnt just sat in home and waited.

Yes, while the NZ car isn't the same level as WRC (AP4 is around R5 speed) some of the roads here have a similar fast, flowing, crested character which should help (photo from Otago Rally for illustration). And he hasn't been just cruising comfortably, he has been busting a whole bunch of his own stage records to stay sharp.

DSC_8805 by Ben, on Flickr

[pucky54]

Speaking about great roads in NZ...bring WRC back!!!

[denkimi]

Not completely. Suninen lost brakes in Portugal, Evans had an electrical glitch in Portugal and a misfire in Wales. Also more engine troubles in early 2017, plus Bouffier's complete engine failure in Corsica 2018, something that's more rare with the current cars.

Last week in ypres they also didn't restart bouffier due to a faulty engine.

Or atleast that was the official explanation.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wrong, big part of the decision was that at Msport he was a clear number 2 and would never be allowed to go for championship as long as they had Ogier. You change it to money only.

I know he moved to get away from Ogier too, but at the time Tanak wasnt guaranteed to be No.1 at Toyota as Latvala was there from 2017.

And the higher salary was a big factor which cant be denied.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

On balance, this season, the Ford does look bullet-proof in comparison to the Toyota.

The Ford has had issues with alternator, electrics, overheating etc. And the fact is that the Toyota is the fastest car... so is Tanak really going to leave that for another that may not give him the speed advantage ?

[deephouse]

They can now afford development when they don't have to pay crying baby his salary. And I think that Tanak could squeeze a way more out of that Fiesta than any other driver who drive that car right now. Evans not yet there and I think he will never do. Suninen - he will probably leave the team for better option when he gets better (if he ever will be). Others are just one off and can't do much about it. But I think if any of the three top calibers would drive it it would be right up there.

[Tarmop]

Not as much as Mr. Toyoda, who is probably just one phonecall away from his leading driver. Ford`s leadership on the otherhand....probably would take away every penny, if they even can afford it next year.

I know he moved to get away from Ogier too, but at the time Tanak wasnt guaranteed to be No.1 at Toyota as Latvala was there from 2017.

And the higher salary was a big factor which cant be denied.

Now he has put it into use and it is earning itself back...in M-sport, parts were available for Ogier first. Visible to the eye (2018 aero and suspension) or not, because of money. In Toyota there is no problemto build equal cars, nr.1 or nr. 3.

[T16]

The Ford has had issues with alternator, electrics, overheating etc. And the fact is that the Toyota is the fastest car... so is Tanak really going to leave that for another that may not give him the speed advantage ?

As has been covered already, the Toyota has been, in balance, the most unreliable car so far this year.
To finish first, first you’ve got to finish.
Who knows if he’s going to leave or not, but like I’ve said, he’s got to calculate the risks involved with each team, use his best judgement and hope he’s got it right.
Let’s face it, if he doesn’t win the championship this year, based on what we all expected at the start of the year, it will be a bit of a surprise, to say the least. He will have thought this was going to be his year (it may still be), but it’s not hard to understand right now why he’s probably wishing he’s had the keys to a fiesta since January, not a Yaris.
If he’s got the slightest inclination now that he’ll be feeling the same at this point next year, he’ll be off like a shot.
And fair play to Malcolm if he can get him, he’s certainly dug deep and shown some gritty resolve when his company has been well up against the odds.

[wia5958]

Or look at the new regs. If going hybrid which brand has most experience in hybrid technology. If I was looking at the bigger picture I'd be in the company with most experience which is Toyota. Plus would Malcolm be able to sustain development on the old car whilst developing a new car?