Silly Season 2019

[Tarmop]

He did this rally in a Hyundai last year already, wasn`t exactly brilliant then, except for day 1 on gravel, but fought for 5.-6. on tarmac before breaking his steering. Where was he now?
Not saying that he doesn`t deserve a seat, but it is a bit harsh considering Paddon (and also Sordo), who had a great season 2016, season 2017 started with a huge accident + other problems and bang, his seat is taken before the season ends.

[er88]

Well, but there is no tarmac pace, especially when you think that he has won this event.

Exactly, Hyundai can't get much worse than their driver getting beat by R5 cars on a full, proper stage. That's quite frankly an embarrassment for Andreas and the team, and a new low for Mikkelsen this season. Would Paddon really do worse?

[mknight]

Would Paddon really do worse?

Paddon was 6th on Corsica and 8th in Germany last year. Mikkelsen 7th and 6th this year. No difference.

[BigWorm]

Would Paddon really do worse?

Maybe not, but probably not better either.

[Japé]

Yes, it has been quite ridiculous to see these comments in other topics that Mikkelsen is slow tarmac driver, even everyone knows he has proven opposite in the past against Ogier, Kopecky, etc. Also Sordo has said in interviews that he would now prefer to drive gravel rallies, because car is neither to his liking on tarmac. Of course drivers are rated in multiple skills, not just driving, but working with mechanics, engineers, etc. However when two star drivers in the same team continue to struggle with the same issue throughout the year, I would see the persons in the team that should be replaced are some key engineers working with Mikkelsen and Sordo, not the drivers. Or to find some external technical help consult to solve this handling issue on tarmac.

[racerx1979]

I do not think people are saying Andreas is slow, but results are obvious and he is not fairing well in the Hyundai. I think the Citroen suited his style a lot more.

[racerx1979]

Autosport just said it will most likely by Paddon with Sordo, 7 events each.

Pierre Budar said at the end of Catalunya press conference that they haven't been yet confirmed a third car, it's down to negotiating with different partners. Maybe they are losing Abu Dhabi?

Autosport is sometimes right and many times wrong .

I do not think they are losing Abu Dhabi. I honestly think the Loeb situation of him losing the RX program has thrown a wrench in negotiations. You've got Qassimi wanting to do a few events along with Mads, but now Loeb is free... someone will have to step down and do less if Loeb says he wants to do more events. There was a strong rumor that he was doing 4-5 events next year, but that might have changed. Maybe Red Bull will pay Loeb to do more events...

[Grutz]

If I was team boss at Hyundai this is what I would do with drivers next season:

Nueville ALL 14 rounds
Mikkelsen 11 Rounds excluding Chile, Portugal, Argentina
Paddon 10 rounds (7 from this year plus Mexico, Chile, Argentina)
Sordo 7 rounds (The same as this year)

Just my thoughts.

[Rally Power]

Autosport just said it will most likely by Paddon with Sordo, 7 events each.

Considering Mikkelsen dreadful year, why must we believe it’ll be Paddon sharing the 3rd car with Sordo? If Mikkelsen underperforms again in MC and Sweden won’t Nandan be tempted to give Paddon the second car for the rest of the season?

There was a strong rumor that he was doing 4-5 events next year, but that might have changed. Maybe Red Bull will pay Loeb to do more events...

Citroen main focus after Australia must be getting Ogier and Lappi into the team and work with them as hard as possible in order to make the C3 a winner in all events. How many rallys Loeb will be doing next year seems totally secondary, no matter how much we speculate about it.

[wrc2017]

I do not think people are saying Andreas is slow, but results are obvious and he is not fairing well in the Hyundai. I think the Citroen suited his style a lot more.

bar germany, for which the car excels, he was even slower in the citroen