2022 WRC News & Rumours

[AndyRAC]

Also, the Xsara WRC and DS3 WRC won plenty of rallies with 'other' drivers at the wheel - it's just that Loeb won more. The moment Citroen changed lead development driver, the C3 happened. It could be a coincidence. But I doubt it.

It might have helped if Citroen had actually listened to their development driver (and qualified engineer) - instead of thinking they know best. Then when it was too late getting other drivers in to confirm the original drivers feedback.

[Mirek]

Yet, just like with hyundai and neuville today, only loeb was able to drive the citroen at the limit. I still remember pieter tsjoen telling how much more difficult the c4 was to drive compared to the focus.

Loeb was and maybe still is a great driver, but i doubt his skills in developing a car for someone else.

C4 WRC with asphalt center differential had an uneven torque split in favor of the rear axle. That's why it was a bitch to drive and only Loeb and Sordo mastered it. It's true that it didn't fit nearly anyone else (most of the scared privateers used gravel center diff on asphalt I believe). On the other hand situation like that is basically impossible to create with the new cars because they don't have the center diff at all and as such they naturally understeer.

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/is-th...-rally-mexico/
I am aware the 2022 calendar is pretty much set in stone at this point (at least most of it), but does anyone think Rally Mexico will be back in the year or 2 after?

[cmac]

Loeb will start Monte Carlo in the puma.
They have agreed 3-4 more rallies after which are yet to be decided.
The car will be payed for by Red Bull.

[bandit12]

Loeb will start Monte Carlo in the puma.
They have agreed 3-4 more rallies after which are yet to be decided.
The car will be payed for by Red Bull.

With Elena?

[cmac]

I dont know the answer to that.

[Eli]

Loeb will start Monte Carlo in the puma.
They have agreed 3-4 more rallies after which are yet to be decided.
The car will be payed for by Red Bull.

So Breen-Loeb-Fourmaux for M-Sport in Monte?

[mknight]

Monte is clearly one of his best rallies and he might do well on a good day (podium?). He also certainly wants to improve on his 2020 performance there.

But the pairing with Dakar sounds pretty crazy, both performance and risk-wise.

Performance wise he should spend many days doing day-long exhausting stages in the desert then fly straight in to the recce ( so test before Dakar) and competition at the age of 47 against guys who only prepare for the rally and are 15+ years younger.
Risk wise any small injury in Dakar and it's over, maybe more importantly COVID rules can still change on quick notice, a day more stuck here or there and he won't make it.

That said MSport doesn't seem to be aiming for any real manu title effort. So if they start with 2 cars, it won't matter much for anything.

[TypeR]

if only they had signed Mikkelsen.. M-Sport would win both titles even with 1 car.
Rookies.

[seb_sh]

Monte is Monte, 1 stage with the right or wrong tyres can make the difference and for that Loeb is one of the best ever. Also perhaps more importantly Red Bull is paying. It'll be a great year for Fourmaux as well, learning from the master. I agree Mikkelsen is missing there but it seems there is no money for him.