[WRC] Rallye Monte Carlo 2021

[dimviii]

It seems weird that the bulk of the stages are on Friday, when many people have work, and they shorten Saturday when those people have a day off to watch.

There must be a reason for this. Can anyone explain?

because covid=done on purpose to avoid spectators

[dimviii]

WRC service park damaged by storm on Friday night

Extreme weather hit the Gap area in the evening and ripped through Monte Carlo Rally service park infrastructure

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/wrc-s...-friday-night/

[dimviii]

yesterday we had a conversation about Neuvilles new co-driver,and trying to read a bit deeper at his interviews.
Hope now is clear.

But yeah, Martijn is improving. Still a bit of work, but he’s very motivated and he knows what I’m asking for.”

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/adamo...i-tire-choice/

[itix]

You were wrong, either on purpose or you didn't remember, now you trying to go around it. Mikkelsen was indeed "gifted" first win by Ogier crashing. Similarly Mikkelsen "gifted" Ogier win in Sweden 2015 just 9 months before by going in the snowbank on last stage.

In 2016 he was clearly faster than Latvala.

Note that first full season in WRC was in VW in 2014 (and part of 2013) at that point Latvala was on his 7th and 8th WRC season, Ogier on 5th and 6th and two times world champion.

Depends entirely how you count. If we take 2016 that you keep ousting as Mikkelsens dream season:

Latvala was (a lot) faster, but less consistent (as is Latvala standard procedure).

Monte: Latvala was faster on almost every stage before retiring with broken suspension. Mikkelsen 2 stage wins but average 4th on the stages.

Sweden: Latvalas center diff started slipping and lost him a lot of time but won almost every stage after that. Mikkelsen has a few 2nd on the stages but very inconsistent pace and goes off twice (without damaging the car more than superficially though).

Mexico Latvala won. Mikkelsen crashed on ss15 while he was several minutes behind Latvala in the same car.

Argentina Latvala won almost every stage and led by quite the margin before going off on ss14. Mikkelsen had one stage win and most stages around 3rd.

In Portugal Latvala was ahead of Mikkelsen before his power steering gave up. Won more stages than Mikkelsen too.

Sardegna: Mikkelsen was a lot behind Latvala when he crashed out on ss14. 2nd place best stage result (and very inconsistent pace). Latvala is second overall with two stage wins. Led the rally three times.

Poland: first rally of the year where Mikkelsen was genuinely quicker than Latvala. Won by Mikkelsen.

Finland: Latvala 2nd, Mikkelsen 7th, 2 minutes behind. There were stages where Tidemand beat him in a Skoda R5.

Deutschland: Latvala breaks the gearbox on ss1. Wins almost half the stages on the following two days. Mikkelsen wins three stages and has an average around 4th or 3rd on most stages. Clearly slower than Latvala.

Tour de corse: Mikkelsen and Latvala pretty equal on pace. Mikkelsen wins one stage. Latvala none.

Racc Espana: both crash. Latvala on day one and restarts. Wins 9 stages. Mikkelsen on day two, doesn't restart. Best stage result, 3rd. Average around 5th.

Wales rally GB: Latvala breaks a few gears in the transmission but doesn't retire. Best stage result 2nd, average around 4th or 3rd. Mikkelsen broke a drive shaft on ss4. Pace all over the place. Everywhere from one stage win to 10th. Very inconsistent (and not from mechanical reasons)

Australia: Mikkelsen wins, several stage wins. Second rally of the year where he is genuinely quicker than Latvala (also with a mechanically sound car).
Latvala touches a bridge on ss1 with the rear and breaks a toe arm. Repairs it enough to actually make it through the day with reduced pace. Wins two stages with a fresh car after service and has several second places. A bit inconsistent pace.

So that's two rallies in a year where he is quicker than Latvala and one of them was because he had to show pace to be interesting to the other teams. The rest goes to Latvala.

Sorry, but Mikkelsen is not quick unless his career is on the line. When he has a comfortable seat he just falls into a quiet slumber.

The only reason he had any pace at all was due to the fantastic polo chassis, which is still to this day dominating world rallycross in the hands of Johan Kristoffersson.

[dupanton]

Weather report posted on Facebook page Benoit Verlinde Rallydriver

[dupanton]

BTW there has been a storm at service park. A lot damage for some teams. Even Toyota hospitality lost some parts

[EstWRC]

Weather report posted on Facebook page Benoit Verlinde Rallydriver

SS9 conditions: Most of the stage is full ice! First 2km are dry, and some 6km in the middle of the stage with only a few spots of ice. Tricky for sure!

[dimviii]

Goooood mooooorning guys!


Sébastien Ogier
@SebOgier
Winter conditions await us in the stages this morning

At least, the tyre choice is easy!

[EstWRC]

TYRE NEWS

No surprise - all drivers have opted for a studded snow tyre for the loop.

Ogier/Katsuta/Evans/Rovaperä have six tyres on board, whilst the rest of the field have five.

[dimviii]

ss 9
https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/stat...43176021778432