[WRC] Monza Rally 2020

[AnttiL]

Team press releases

https://www.m-sport.co.uk/single-pos...eason-in-style
https://toyotagazooracing.com/releas...7-preview.html
https://motorsport.hyundai.com/monza...itle-showdown/

I almost forgot it's a rally week! Who knows when's the next time...

[EstWRC]

yeah finally a rally week

i have no idea what to expect with this new event, i think no one has a idea.

the only thing i really hope is that no one has mechanical failures, i want to see them fighting for seconds all the time with no mechanical troubles.

[AnttiL]

My favourite for the event is Neuville, because he usually wins super specials, and half of this rally, including the power stage, will effectively be made of long super specials. He's also been always fast in Monte, and the mountain stages will likely be similar.

[mknight]

It's a bit quiet..... however I am not paranoid at this point and still think that worst case is they run only on circuit.
Lombary got moved from red to orange zone on friday in the Italian system.

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As to the rally itself.
- Circuit stages should work well for Hyundai both since they seem to be doing ok in "straight to handbrake turn" stages but also since they have some experience on this "event" even though mostly with other cars. Work well in this case means no clear advantage for Hyundai or Toyota

- Rain or even rain/snow combination has historically (Monte/Germany) been better for the 2017+ Hyundai than Toyota

- Saturday stages if dry should be advantage Toyota (unlikely they will be dry though)

- If weather gets very bad even one of the Fiestas can get into top 6, else they will just take part

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As to drivers, Sordo definitely doesn't do well on slippery tarmac, while on (dry) circuit he could do very well. Think Rovanpera and especially Suninen are not likely to do very well on circuit.

For results, as long as Evans doesn't do anything stupid or has bad luck he should "cruise" for 4.-5. without problems, in that case only Ogier win can cost him title. The big risk there is if he is around 4th and sees that Ogier is taking title from him and starts to push getting into trouble (say Saturday afternoon). That would open driver champ to Hyundai and cost Toyota manu title for sure. In other teams the boss would come with some instructions for this I think, in Toyota that's unlikely.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

[RS]

What's the story with Kopecky at Monza? Presume he's there to help Tidemand's title bid?

[AnttiL]

What's the story with Kopecky at Monza? Presume he's there to help Tidemand's title bid?

Yeah, probably to take big points away from Østberg...how was it, they cannot get more team points, but Tidemand can still get driver points? It's a baffling situation.

[dimviii]

[dimviii]

[pantealex]

- If weather gets very bad even one of the Fiestas can get into top 6, else they will just take part

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As to drivers, Sordo definitely doesn't do well on slippery tarmac, while on (dry) circuit he could do very well. Think Rovanpera and especially Suninen are not likely to do very well on circuit.

Suninen should be fastest Finn on circuit, he is ex. Top Karting driver
https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/teemu-suninen/ 3rd in European Championship / Several Finnish Championship titles.