Silly Season 2020

[Allez Andruet]

What comes to David Evans and his reputation, IMO this is totally different than case Tänak from late 2017. This is now about the sport's hottest name, and I find it really hard to believe that Evans would go and publish a story of this magnitude if he didn't know the source he got was for real.

[mknight]

I know this calculation has a lot of issues with them not taking points from each other, but just to illustrate how dominance might again look like:
- if you sum up manu points for Tanak+Neuville+Sordo+Loeb this year you get 455 points, 2 rallies before the end
- currently Hyundai in the lead has 340

- Highest ever recent score is Citroen in 2012 with 453, but that was with only 2 manu teams
- VW domination in 2014 was with 447 points

Not looking good for competition next year...

[AnttiL]

I know this calculation has a lot of issues with them not taking points from each other, but just to illustrate how dominance might again look like:
- if you sum up manu points for Tanak+Neuville+Sordo+Loeb this year you get 455 points, 2 rallies before the end

Is this with the two best of the bunch counted only?

[racerx1979]

Actually no! Im assuming the Hyundai squad knows all of the details so this won't mess with their heads at all. If anything it messes with others and maybe Tanak if it's not true... time will tell, but TN not feeling any pressure about this. Loeb is enjoying his sleep without a worry in the world and Sordo is just hoping he does not have fuel or PS issues.

[mknight]

Is this with the two best of the bunch counted only?

No was just simple sum, a bit more advanced calculations by quick look on their placement gives:

419

That's still without Spain, and average score per rally is 25-30 points. So doesn't look much better.

Early days, but I hope it doesn't end like in 2014 when I stopped following WRC as it was pointless. (btw. I made similar scares about Toyota after last year, so obviously it does not need to happen)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There could be a fear of Toyota not staying in WRC much longer if Tanak goes. They will have already achieved the Manu & Driver titles.

[KKS]

There could be a fear of Toyota not staying in WRC much longer if Tanak goes. They will have already achieved the Manu & Driver titles.

So in this case Citroen should leave already after 2004?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So in this case Citroen should leave already after 2004?

Toyota competition against a Hyundai dream-team will be a bit harder, plus they wont have a young Mr Loeb.

[spiderem]

Is Ogier the biggest "winner" if Tanak moves to Hyundai?
Ogier can beat Neuville / Hyundai on any surface, or at least match the pace.
Hyundai is fast but not easy to master, only victory so far beside Neuville is Sordo. So Tanak will take time to master the car (longer than at Toyota I suspect).
Bottom line, next year Ogier and Citroen have a fair chance for a driver title.

[RaunoK]

Is Ogier the biggest "winner" if Tanak moves to Hyundai?
Ogier can beat Neuville / Hyundai on any surface, or at least match the pace.
Hyundai is fast but not easy to master, only victory so far beside Neuville is Sordo. So Tanak will take time to master the car (longer than at Toyota I suspect).
Bottom line, next year Ogier and Citroen have a fair chance for a driver title.

They said pretty much the same about Tänak going to Toyota. Wasn't the case. And Hyundai has been more reliable and also faster lately, also Toyota's rear wing change seems to have cut some of their speed. Tänak developed the Fiesta Ogier won two titles in and made Toyota into what it is today, so there's also no doubt in his ability to understand and develop the car. It might seem crazy move, but if the rumors are true, I'm sure midway next season we'll see Neuville complaining about not finding the correct setup or rocks falling from skies and Tänak winning rallies in Hyundai.