Silly Season 2020

[er88]

Jeez the amount of excuses Citroen come up with is never ending. Just admit you weren't good enough and can't compete, and go.

They pushed for these regs - got them - yet still quit. The FIA cant magically put on a rally in China, it tried a few years ago but didn't work. You get the feeling nothing would ever be enough for Citroen, there would always be another excuse, another reason why they had to leave or arent happy. Or another reason why they arent winning.

No wonder it took them 1/2yrs to realise their own drivers weren't talking shite when they gave feedback on the C3s limitations, and where it needed improvements...

You don't sign Ogier and then expect him to be happy with a year of development, or a full year of no development in terms of the aero package. Ogier doesn't need to hang around for promises (or false promises) of 'wait a little longer, development is coming". Too late, you had a whole year and went backwards on tarmac from the previous year...

Ogier just didn't have faith in the team having spent a year with them, and you can't blame him can you?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seems clear it suited both parties - Ogier wanted the chance of a better team/car for his final year and Citroen/PSA dont have the funding for 3 motorsport series.

And both can blame the other... #Shitroen ... #GOgier.

[mknight]

Well, this upcoming situation makes it possible for Malcolm to hire top drivers for cheap money, that´s for sure.

If he isn´t seeing the good in this situation he has lost his business abilities.

Good business doesn't necessarily mean good rally results.
Running a paying driver even if he is slower can be a better business than a faster but more expensive driver. Greensmith doing the rallies where Evans was injured instead of Paddon is a good example.

But for sure in the long run he needs to show that the car is competetive, so at least someone needs to have good speed/results.

[deephouse]

Man, this thing leave me with more questions than answers. If they pushed hybrid tech into the WRC and finally when it comes they decide to not be part of it. Like they want it right now, even if them who didn't develop current car fast enough for Ogier or others. Then blaming calendar, lacking of India and China. Blame organizers for that not wrc promoter. Then failing to get of of three top drivers and others not that important to even bother. They have got one of the bestest but failed to keep him. Even Neuville did slip through their fingers a few years ago.

I kinda knew from the start that Citroen would pull out and not develop new car. They were all over about costs even when they had Abu Dhabi support and still wine about that. I'm seriously worried about M-Sport too, except if Subaru really team up with them (I don't see Ford really get back).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I dont fear for M-Sport so much now. They are in a great position to mop-up the best of the other driver's and do so without incurring big wages.

And any good results they do get will be seen as a great achievement by the underdogs.

[dimviii]

dont worry about Msport,they will be at wrc for ever

[deephouse]

It's not that, it's the development which could get high in the sky. Every new tech is more and more expensive. I have a feeling that this hybrid is 2x more expensive than normal power.

[dimviii]

It's not that, it's the development which could get high in the sky. Every new tech is more and more expensive. I have a feeling that this hybrid is 2x more expensive than normal power.

they can cope,dont worry.This is their job.

[er88]

dont worry about Msport,they will be at wrc for ever

True, but this is their chance to put together a strong team on the cheap with so many good drivers without a drive. So it would be really disappointing if they just settle on Suninen and Greensmith both with backing, and then don't sign one of Mikkelsen, Lappi, Meeke, Latvala, Paddon etc permanently. They could/should even sign two of those drivers to drive alongside Suninen - let Greensmith run a 4th car out of his own pocket if so.

[Rallyper]

True, but this is their chance to put together a strong team on the cheap with so many good drivers without a drive. So it would be really disappointing if they just settle on Suninen and Greensmith both with backing, and then don't sign one of Mikkelsen, Lappi, Meeke, Latvala, Paddon etc permanently. They could/should even sign two of those drivers to drive alongside Suninen - let Greensmith run a 4th car out of his own pocket if so.

Exactly my thoughts! +10.