[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[denkimi]

Indeed. But he won't win the next six. And make no mistake, I sincerely hope Ogier will retain his title again this year, but the writing's on the wall, so to say. If he's able to maintain his current pace (and why wouldn't he?), Tänak will undeniably be crowned sooner rather than later.

Although i also believe tanak and neuville could both be world champions, its not always so easy.
Without loeb hirvonen would have been a big champion, without ogier neuville would have been 4 times chamion.
Just because you have the speed doesn't mean you win the title, there are lots of other variables.

No matter what some diehard fans here might think, tanaks pace is undoubtedly connected to the yaris. Just because he has dominant speed today because the hyundai of neuville and the citroen of ogier are slower, does not mean he will be dominant next year and beyond.
He deserves to be champion, but it's not always that easy.

[Allez Andruet]

Although i also believe tanak and neuville could both be world champions, its not always so easy.
Without loeb hirvonen would have been a big champion, without ogier neuville would have been 4 times chamion.
Just because you have the speed doesn't mean you win the title, there are lots of other variables.

When you're clearly - as Tänak is ATM - the fastest driver on the grid, you'll eventually take the title. Neuville nor Hirvonen never showed such dominance in their primes (for Neuville the prime is still "on" ofcourse).

No matter what some diehard fans here might think, tanaks pace is undoubtedly connected to the yaris.

Ok, here we go again...

[Mk2 RS2000]

There is a subtle difference between being the fastest driver in a championship and a driver able to win a Championship

[mknight]

When you're clearly - as Tänak is ATM - the fastest driver on the grid, you'll eventually take the title. Neuville nor Hirvonen never showed such dominance in their primes (for Neuville the prime is still "on" ofcourse).

In 2004 P. Solberg was clearly the fastest driver (50% more stage wins than anyone else). No title that year and 0 titles after that.

Nothing is certain about the future. Tänak is very clear about that himself and said so on interviews already last year. Being fast now doesn't quarantee future succes and being fast alone is not enough to get title.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

And remember Colin McRae, legendary for his flat-out driving... but only won one Title.

[steve.mandzij]

And Jari Matti, for years claimed to be the quickest driver and hailed as a sure-fire future champion.

[Allez Andruet]

Ofcourse it's not a quarantee of anything. Who knows, maybe the world ends tomorrow and there's no need to drive any more rallies. My point was, that out of the future scenarios, the most likely is the one where Tänak rules. It doesn't mean that it would be the one and only possibility, but that's how it looks at the moment and that exactly will determine who's hot on the market and who's not.

[trykmann]

No matter what some diehard fans here might think, tanaks pace is undoubtedly connected to the yaris..

His speed is connected to the car, but the car doesn't drive itself. I believe people tend underestimate Tänaks raw speed, his form has just been rising in the past few seasons and might be at it's peak right now.

Meeke or Latvala have had some good stage times, but haven't shown consistent speed with the Yaris. Although they are also considered as drivers, who can win every rally.

[denkimi]

Ofcourse it's not a quarantee of anything. Who knows, maybe the world ends tomorrow and there's no need to drive any more rallies. My point was, that out of the future scenarios, the most likely is the one where Tänak rules. It doesn't mean that it would be the one and only possibility, but that's how it looks at the moment and that exactly will determine who's hot on the market and who's not.

As i said before. Yet, ogier has won the last 6 titles.

Despite how things may look today, i'd still put my money on ogier if they manage to get that citroen at the same level as the yaris.
Even though results of the past give no guarantee for the future, they do give a good indication to compare drivers.

[Allez Andruet]

As i said before. Yet, ogier has won the last 6 titles.

Too bad it's somewhat irrelevant when it comes to Tänak's value on the driver market.