[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[mknight]

He thinks it would be crazy for Tanak to leave, while I kind of agree can you image that Tanak gets 1-2 punctures that weren't clearly his fault in Germany and suddenly looses WDC lead again? That's why I am not so sure he has re-signed for Toyota just yet.

Anyway too bad they didn't ask Jouhki if he is trying to get Suninen into that 3rd Toyota.

[rallyfiend]

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Anyway too bad they didn't ask Jouhki if he is trying to get Suninen into that 3rd Toyota.

Given that he manages both drivers, surely he wouldn't give a useful answer anyway. That would mean he's screwing one of his drivers with the other..

[er88]

If Jouhki is saying there's a lot of work to do, then it looks very bleak for Jari. He knows it.

Things only look better after Finland because Meeke was the unlucky one of the two drivers who retired because of that rock - when in fact Jaris impact seemed just as hard/even harder. If that went the other way, you'd have the opposite sort of stories we've seen coming from the Finnish/ Estonian press.

[Allez Andruet]

If Jouhki is saying there's a lot of work to do, then it looks very bleak for Jari. He knows it.

Things only look better after Finland because Meeke was the unlucky one of the two drivers who retired because of that rock - when in fact Jaris impact seemed just as hard/even harder. If that went the other way, you'd have the opposite sort of stories we've seen coming from the Finnish/ Estonian press.

And Latvala would have had to do that silly mistake in Laukaa stage as well...

Actually Jouhki finishes the story by saying that Latvala has "quite good support from Japan and it helps in a situation like this".

e. Somehow it sounds like Tommi would like to oust both JML and Meeke, but the Japanese might come to rescue and save Latvala.

[AnttiL]

And Latvala would have had to do that silly mistake in Laukaa stage as well...

Actually Jouhki finishes the story by saying that Latvala has "quite good support from Japan and it helps in a situation like this".

Latvala being liked by the Japanese Toyota people is a well known fact.

[mknight]

While I agree Latvala's impact looked even harder and he was just more lucky, imo the main reason it's looking very bad for Meeke is what happened on Sunday.

Completely unnecessary crash on unimportant stage when there was no pressure due to a massive cut.

[AnttiL]

While I agree Latvala's impact looked even harder and he was just more lucky, imo the main reason it's looking very bad for Meeke is what happened on Sunday.

Completely unnecessary crash on unimportant stage when there was no pressure due to a massive cut.

I wouldn't say their future contracts are decided on the Rally Finland incidents alone.

[Allez Andruet]

Latvala being liked by the Japanese Toyota people is a well known fact.

True, and none of the parties involved no longer hide that in public.

[mknight]

I wouldn't say their future contracts are decided on the Rally Finland incidents alone.

Well off course not, but for Meeke it follows a pattern of similar incidents (Portugal, Corsica SS5, Portugal 2018, Argentina 2017).

[er88]

Somehow it sounds like Tommi would like to oust both JML and Meeke, but the Japanese might come to rescue and save Latvala.

Yeah, Japan could well save Jari. However the reality is he doesn't deserve to stay at Toyota over Meeke (as things stand right now), based purely on performance factors. That's just an objective view despite how much I like Jari and want him to remain in the WRC. It's his 3rd year in the car, Makinen was going to bin him last season before his resurgence/Lappi leaving, and he is still currently (just) behind Meeke in the championship let's not forget.

Despite what the Finnish press say, I don't believe anymore that they have chosen between Latvala and Meeke at this stage. There were rumours a month or two ago that Jari was gone, but those were probably easy rumours based off of his form and not accurate at all. Tommi probably knows one has to go at least, but after the next few rallies things could change massively in Latvala's favour or Meeke's - if a string of solid finishes helps get Toyota back ahead of Hyundai.

Imo the only way definitive decisions have been made at this stage is if both are out regardless - otherwise I reckon Meeke and Latvala will be left in the dark and given the next 3/4 rallies to try and win a deal for next season, while Toyota keep their options open. By then both could have driven/crashed their way out of a possible 2020 contract, or one could have saved their Toyota career with good results. 4th place in the drivers championship is still possible for both drivers (more so Latvala due to his form on these upcoming rallies last year, while as Mknight mentioned, Meeke has a horrible record in Germany and has never been to Turkey. Then you have GB with possible poor road position...).

Clearly both championship battles are where most of the interest will be, but with so many drivers out of contract for next year it'll also be really interesting to see who performs and who doesn't in the last 5 rallies. There will be some big winners and losers.