[WRC] News & Rumours 2021

[mknight]

Gryazin won’t make step from WRC2 until he’s “unbeatable”

The WRC2 driver recently tested an M-Sport Fiesta WRC but isn't rushing his graduation

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/nikol...ble-at-rally2/

Seemingly "big" plans.(or more likely Dirtfish trying to make a tiny "story" bigger).
After the disaster season in i20 R5 last year it seemed we won't hear much from him again, but the Polo starts this year certainly improved his standing a lot.

[EstWRC]

Gryazin won’t make step from WRC2 until he’s “unbeatable”

The WRC2 driver recently tested an M-Sport Fiesta WRC but isn't rushing his graduation

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/nikol...ble-at-rally2/

i can see long analyzing post incoming from mknight...

E. oh, i was a little late with my post and surprisingly short post

[rallyfiend]

Seemingly "big" plans.(or more likely Dirtfish trying to make a tiny "story" bigger).
After the disaster season in i20 R5 last year it seemed we won't hear much from him again, but the Polo starts this year certainly improved his standing a lot.

Seems the Red Grey-run Hyundai's aren't so flash.... Guess that's why Oliver is being run by a different team for his R5 outings.... No one with knowledge wants to touch them.

[Tarmop]

Mm...you think that Adamo would let them represent HMSG colours if that was the case. Quick peek at the RMC entrylist does only show one HMSG R5...owned and maintained by a country nearby. Also the case with Huttunen.

[denkimi]

Gryazin won’t make step from WRC2 until he’s “unbeatable”

The WRC2 driver recently tested an M-Sport Fiesta WRC but isn't rushing his graduation

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/nikol...ble-at-rally2/

He has 120 starts, including 84 rally's in an r5 car so far.

He is probably the most experienced young driver out there, he will never be ready for wrc.

[EstWRC]

WRC rally director confident of full 2021 campaign

This year’s campaign consists of 12 rounds, with Matton “confident” that number can be fulfilled.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Matton says the global COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and the “tireless work and commitment of the entire FIA rally family”, can help to minimise possible disruptions.

The 2020 WRC season was stopped during Rally Mexico because of the speed at which the respiratory disease was sweeping around the planet, with several rallies called off between March and September, resulting in the WRC only able to put on a seven-round campaign.

The WRC’s resumption led to a raft of new measures being adopted as part of the FIA’s Appendix S International Sporting Code – a framework initially drawn up for Formula 1 to stop the spread of COVID-19. These included social distancing, swab tests, wearing face masks and regular hand washing.

“Of course, we still face an extremely challenging period, especially when we consider the ongoing national restrictions that rightly remain in place to control the spread of COVID-19,” Matton said.

“But the rollout of the vaccine provides hope and it is clear the appetite from drivers and teams to go rallying – and for organisers to put events on – remains strong.


“Although we have to adapt what we do on a case-by-case basis, country by country, Appendix S provides a very good base to work closely with the governments – and the local ministries – to allow events to be run.

“I am confident we will have a 12-event calendar in the World Rally Championship this year because we organised the calendar in the way that we have some spare events – and arrangements – in place to be able to achieve a full calendar.

“It will not be easy but I think the vaccine will allow, step by step, fans to watch live. But the vaccine is in addition to what we’ve already put in place with Appendix S.”

Matton, who left his post as Citroen Racing’s team principal in January 2018 to join the FIA, believes a successful 2021 campaign is the perfect way to build-up to next year when Rally1 cars enter service for the first time.

M-Sport Ford and Toyota Gazoo Racing continue to work intensively on their projects, with Hyundai Motorsport doing likewise despite the company’s board still undecided about its future participation in the WRC.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council finally signed off the regulations at a virtual meeting held last Friday.

“This was the final point because the main steps have already been done thanks to the great work that the engineers from the FIA and the manufacturers have done together to finalise the regulations,” said Matton.

“The next big step will be to see these Rally1 cars in action for the first time. Soon we will see the initial testing phase begin, which is a significant moment in the history of our sport.”

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/w...paign/5657030/

[mknight]

Lappi says he probably should do some other rally than fast gravel/snow next and mentions Portugal.

That indeed sounds like a good idea, though I'd also add tarmac.

Since he also mentions Mikkelsen I'd say historically Lappi is faster than him om fast gravel/snow, about the same on slower gravel and slower on tarmac.
History is one thing, current and future form is something else.

[AnttiL]

Rallies like Portugal and Sardegna are too often decided for WRC2 cars on punctures, let's see how the Pirellis manage on gravel. Veiby had three punctures with Pirellis in Sardegna last year.

[RS]

Feature on past present and future Skoda rally cars:

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/...-snow-and-ice/

Interesting to see them using the Kreisel electric Fabia in official promotional material, a sign?

Also first time a Skoda works car on Pirelli.

[EstWRC]

Loeb and Elena split after 23 years https://twitter.com/sebastienloeb/st...357268481?s=21