Silly Season 2019

[pantealex]

Desborough saying on PS that Paddon "may have a deal" with another team for next year.

So who might that be:
- at Citroen we have Lappi rumors and likely no interest in Asia market (they don't even sell cars in most of the countries), so no
- Msport... well while Ford certainly has interest there I doubt they are in position to "pay" much to anyone, so would have to be local-sponsored deal from AU/NZ
- Toyota, big marketing interests in Asia and probly place after Lappi => to me most likely candidate

Citroen is very big in China and that is not small market...

[RS]

Presuming the Lappi to Citroen thing is true, it does indeed look like Even management are hooking up with them - Veiby's C3 R5 and his overalls are in works colours in Wales too.

[Tarmop]

Afaik, Citroen was one of the manufactures pushing for Asian competitions because of their market there...

[EstWRC]

so before spain Toyota will reveal their lineup but very cheeky smile from Tommi when asked about Meeke...

[mknight]

Joukhi said on the stream that Latvala has contract and it will be announced in 2 weeks. Sounds like Toyota confirmation to me.

[pantealex]

Joukhi said on the stream that Latvala has contract and it will be announced in 2 weeks. Sounds like Toyota confirmation to me.

it is.

[T16]

it is.

Is it a new contract, or is it the remaining year in the one he signed originally? If it’s the one he signed originally, why does the way they speak about it make it sound like it could potentially be with another team?

[deephouse]

Ah who cares. We have three rivals again in three different cars for next year.

[mknight]

Ah who cares. We have three rivals again in three different cars for next year.

Perhaps you don't remember that just last year Latvala actually led the championship and was in the fight until Poland. Tanak wasn't realistically in the championship fight at any point.
Before the start of 2017 Meeke was by many considered the main favorite.
Going the other way Ogier didn't have the speed in 2017 at all and many were writing him off for this year. Latvala was written off at the end of 2016 after being 3rd fastest Polo.

and we can continue like that...

Things change. To quote Tanak again, nobody knows how fast any car/driver will be next year. Things can move up/down very fast.

So there is no guarantee whatsoever that Neuville, Ogier, Tanak will fight for championship next year.

[gouldy]

in my honest opinion, Paddon MUST move to another team if he doesnt get a full year with Hyundai. His progress is just standing still and stagnated with these half ass seasons.

Agree, If Hyundai cant get it sorted that must be his move to save his career. Love to see him at M-Sport with a full season and a new sponsor? Where is Monster Energy in all this? Red Bull is everywhere in the WRC, Monster Energy going hard in the US in motorsport in general, Nascar, Moto X, World Rally X etc. They are big sponsors of Ken Block and Valentino Rossi when it comes to Rally, but not the WRC? Paddon's hood scoop would go well with the Monster Energy green??