Silly Season 2020

[T16]

Of course its business... M-Sport isnt a charity. But its taken a long time for Evans (and Tanak incidentally) to break into the top level and MW could easily have given up on him and switched to another prospect. His belief in him has been huge and I dont see him ever getting this anywhere else.

Eddie, it’s cool that you’re a true M-Sport fan through and through, but you need to maybe open your mind a little more with regard to how that team has functioned over the last few years.
Wilson has had Evans there because he was a balance between getting a reasonable job done and costing next to nothing. He’s now established himself and the chips have fallen in his favour, so he’s got a chance to actually go and be a proper works driver.
Shame it leaves them up shit creek as we stand because I’m not sure at all that Suninen has the minerals to step up into his place. Let’s hope Jari can bring some money, relax and drive the shit out of the fiesta, it all actually might work out well for all involved.

[rallyfiend]

Eddie, it’s cool that you’re a true M-Sport fan through and through, but you need to maybe open your mind a little more with regard to how that team has functioned over the last few years.
Wilson has had Evans there because he was a balance between getting a reasonable job done and costing next to nothing. He’s now established himself and the chips have fallen in his favour, so he’s got a chance to actually go and be a proper works driver.
Shame it leaves them up shit creek as we stand because I’m not sure at all that Suninen has the minerals to step up into his place. Let’s hope Jari can bring some money, relax and drive the shit out of the fiesta, it all actually might work out well for all involved.

Jari has been earning a lot of money for a lot of years, why would he all of a sudden decide to PAY for a drive?

[EstWRC]

because he doesnt have any other options?

[denkimi]

He can always retire. He has had his years, he had his chances. He isn't likely going to improve.

[T16]

He can always retire. He has had his years, he had his chances. He isn't likely going to improve.

That doesn't mean he has lost self-belief though does it? If he loves rallying and he can have a shot in the Fiesta and get a sponsor to pay for it AND probably take a decent enough salary himself, why on earth would he quit?

[KiwiWRCfan]

Jari has been earning a lot of money for a lot of years, why would he all of a sudden decide to PAY for a drive?

refer Petter Solberg 2009, 2010 & 2011 seasons

[denkimi]

That doesn't mean he has lost self-belief though does it? If he loves rallying and he can have a shot in the Fiesta and get a sponsor to pay for it AND probably take a decent enough salary himself, why on earth would he quit?

If, if, if and if.

Why would he pay for a drive? He is not an unknown youngster anymore who needs to prove himself.
He has shown for many years what he can do. But if in the end still nobody want to hire him, there's not much to gain by desperately clinging on.

[T16]

If, if, if and if.

Why would he pay for a drive? He is not an unknown youngster anymore who needs to prove himself.
He has shown for many years what he can do. But if in the end still nobody want to hire him, there's not much to gain by desperately clinging on.

IF he goes to M-sport and took a sponsor, he wouldn't be paying, the sponsor would. Why not? He still gets to do the sport he loves. He may have missed a few chances over the years, but he most certainly is not clinging on.

[the sniper]

If, if, if and if.

Why would he pay for a drive? He is not an unknown youngster anymore who needs to prove himself.
He has shown for many years what he can do. But if in the end still nobody want to hire him, there's not much to gain by desperately clinging on.

You seem to be fixated on the idea that he'd be paying out of his own bank account... If he can get sponsors to bring some money, why would he not keep going? The guy loves what he does, he loves the sport. When I was at Oulton Park for Rally GB, JML walked across the paddock looking backwards, as behind him there was a big screen showing old RAC Rally footage! What's he going to do instead? Unfortunately, as we are aware, unlike a lot of guys retiring we know he won't be coming out with the 'more time with family and kids' line for now. Why not try and get another year in these cars? If anyone can get sponsorship, surely it has to be JML, being such a popular figure. Anyway, he'd likely be replacing Evans, who was likely paying (and getting paid) nothing for the drive.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eddie, it’s cool that you’re a true M-Sport fan through and through, but you need to maybe open your mind a little more with regard to how that team has functioned over the last few years.
Wilson has had Evans there because he was a balance between getting a reasonable job done and costing next to nothing. He’s now established himself and the chips have fallen in his favour, so he’s got a chance to actually go and be a proper works driver.
Shame it leaves them up shit creek as we stand because I’m not sure at all that Suninen has the minerals to step up into his place. Let’s hope Jari can bring some money, relax and drive the shit out of the fiesta, it all actually might work out well for all involved.

T16 knows it all doesnt he...

Re Evans - it suited MW to use him but also you need to realise that Evans wouldnt have been in WRC with anyone else for most of his career. MW should be praised for his system of developing people over lonh periods and not criticised constantly as some kind of wicked user of poor little driver's.

Re Latvala - I dont want him back at M-Sport. Its time to give a younger guy another chance.