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Thread: Silly Season 2019
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10th October 2018, 15:40 #761
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nice news,kudos to Makkinen,definetely Meeke its a plus to wrc series.
- Likes: BobJones (10th October 2018)
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10th October 2018, 15:48 #762
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10th October 2018, 15:53 #763
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To be honest, I'm quite surprised and a little sad to see the Finn leaving the Finnish team, but as mentioned before there must have been some ugly behind the scenes reasoning for Lappi leaving.
Makinen might be a little blinded by his own excitement by taking Meeke but it's exciting to see him come back, if only for a year. I don't think he'll challenge for the championship, but it'll be exciting come Finland, when the team is composed solely of Finland winners!
If Meeke falls into the Tanak role of winning almost every rally, it might even be good for Latvala's title hopes to lay back and collect the points for the team.
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10th October 2018, 15:54 #764
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So;
Toyota; Tanak, JML, Meeke
Hyundai; Neuville, Mikkelsen, Sordo, Paddon?
Citroen; Ogier, Lappi, Ostberg? (If he brings big funds)
Msport; Suninen, Breen?, Paddon?, Evans?, Ostberg?
Drivers without question mark beside them are nailed on or pretty much confirmed. Msport have a lot of potential options but no real winner now Meeke has gone to Toyota. Talk of Breen and Paddon having options to go there would leave Evans in trouble. Still a lot of moves to be done in this silly season
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10th October 2018, 16:37 #765
To hell with Ford and specifically Ford US. Other than the Mustang they will not be selling cars in the US and Canada and are gutting their staff in Michigan. If any money comes from there it's because someone in the Ford family is drunk and/or delusional, not with the personal enthusiasm that's driving Toyota. But if money comes take it, by all means. Malcolm has a lot of work ahead to stay in top rank of the WRC. Block turns 51 this year so don't expect much more than name recognition and some Monster money. Again, the money's not a bad thing, though.
Last edited by Gregor-y; 10th October 2018 at 16:50. Reason: Block, not bock.
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10th October 2018, 16:51 #766
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10th October 2018, 16:52 #767
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Well both Latvala and Lappi have made comments already around march that changes proposed by Tanak moved the car away from them. So there might be some truth in that.
Then again Lappi made comments about "seeing no reason to leave". Which now almost makes it looks like he got kicked by Makinen to get place for Meeke.
If Makinen is mostly focused on maximum manu chances+PR in next 1-2 years, then picking Meeke might be better option than Lappi. Obviously Lappi is now the most promising "new" driver. But might be that Makinen doesn't believe in him and wants to wait for others (Suninen, Rovanpera or the Japanese).
- Likes: er88 (10th October 2018)
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10th October 2018, 17:06 #768
- Likes: pantealex (10th October 2018)
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10th October 2018, 17:15 #769
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As I understand it, Ford Performance are still to carry on supporting M-Sport with the car. Just maybe not as much as Ogier wanted.
They have never been paying driver wages so that isnt any different.
Evans is a Red Bull athlete, so is Suninen. They are sponsored independently from the M-Sport team deal.
I agree a new headline sponsor will probably be important to continue, but they have competed without one before..
- Likes: sonnybobiche (11th October 2018)
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10th October 2018, 17:35 #770
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Mby Lappi is just not good enough? With Rovanpera coming, Tommi just don't care about him. He has the best driver/car builder at the moment. And prob best second driver that is accepting his role. Neuville or Ogier as second driver is obvious no go. So prob he sees some commercial value in Meeke to offer him a drive for a year until Rovanperä arrives.
Good split by Suninen, road developed
Rally Sweden 14-17 FEB 2019