2022 WRC News & Rumours

**Sulland** · 31st December 2021, 14:00

Originally Posted by Tom K

So first start of the year Mikkelsen will do with... Floene

In Dakar.

WOW
https://lookcharms.com/a-mikkelsen-l...of-dakar-2022/

**Danny0405** · 31st December 2021, 18:01

Originally Posted by mknight

Haven't seen this but it is entirely possible.

Biggest reason: Rossel won WRC3 and is going to WRC2 and is French + Camilli doing great in Spain

On top of that his post Estonia/pre Acropolis comments. Historically PSA manus don't like that sort of thing at all.

If true it's a bit surprising Gryazin isn't driving for Citroen then though.

It doesn’t seem like Ostberg will not be with Citroen next year.
Personnally, I think the difference is more that Mikkelsen is not totally outside of the Rally1 game (And is paid by Skoda probably and maybe has some backing from Red Bull still) whereas, for Ostberg, it is over for Rally1.

**Sulland** · 31st December 2021, 20:06

Maybe more All Live work for Mads, and a few favorite rallies here and there. Maybe developmemt consultant for Proton and Hyundai for their RC2 cars.

**Eli** · 4th January 2022, 19:02

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/w...-2023/7076702/

The World Rally Championship could return to Argentina next year after new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said talks to bring the championship back to South America are underway.
Rally Argentina has been absent from the WRC schedule since 2019, with the proposed 2020 event cancelled due to the COVID-19 health crisis.

As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, the WRC has tended to steer away from flyaway events. South America wasn't represented on a 2021 schedule that only featured one round outside of Europe, Kenya's Safari Rally.

This year the WRC has revealed a 13-round calendar featuring long haul events in New Zealand and Japan, but again South America is absent from the schedule. One round in August is yet to be confirmed, although it is widely believed to be filled by Rally Northern Ireland.

Rally Argentina boasts a storied history, having regularly featured on the WRC calendar since 1980, with only the 1995 and 2010 editions absent from the world championship.

Speaking at the Dakar Rally, former Rally Argentina competitor Sulayem revealed that the FIA is negotiating with promoters in Argentina and a 2023 return of the tough gravel event is not out of the question.

"Yes, we are negotiating," said the new FIA president when asked if Argentina could return to the WRC calendar in 2023.

"First of all, I drove in Argentina a few times so I have good memories there, in terms of accepting the motorsport, and also the results that I have, so it's always good memories.

"Argentina is a big country. Argentina has a culture of motorsport and rallying in particular, more than that we have to have a more dialogue with the promoter, with the ASN, [which] is very important.

"We have to have stability, sustainability of the events. I'm studying the contracts, and when it comes to how many years we are having with the contracts, with the promoters.

"But if you bring the WRC to Argentina, it's not new. It has been there. So we just have to work something that has to come from itself, from the government, and the FIA and the promoter.

"So we'll see. Water doesn't go uphill, it goes downhill, so it has to come from the government. I believe the government has big history and involvement also with rallying and specifically rallying."

The WRC will begin its new Rally1 hybrid era later this month when the 2022 season begins at the famous Monte Carlo Rally from 20-23 January.

**AnttiL** · 5th January 2022, 08:21

https://www.rallit.fi/rallin-mm-sarj...-kotisohvalta/

The WRC 2022 season launch is hosted by Red Bull on 15th January. Also streamed from Red Bull TV.

https://www.redbull.com/ng-en/events...-season-launch

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 5th January 2022, 10:13

I wonder if there could be a clash between Red Bull as WRC Promoter and 'Team Solberg' being sponsored by Monster Energy ? If Oliver was to start winning events with Monster plastered on his car it surely wouldn't please RB...

**Franky** · 5th January 2022, 10:48

Eddie, not a problem. Hyundai has got Shell in their name and so on, yet no conflict with Wolf Lubricants who have a deal with the promoter.

It's not Red Bull Rally Championship.

**WRCStan** · 5th January 2022, 10:53

It's not been a problem yet, but as it has become the Pirelli World Rally Championship who knows what's next.

**rallyfiend** · 5th January 2022, 10:57

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

I wonder if there could be a clash between Red Bull as WRC Promoter and 'Team Solberg' being sponsored by Monster Energy ? If Oliver was to start winning events with Monster plastered on his car it surely wouldn't please RB...

It hasn't stopped WRC Promoter using Oliver for almost every single TV programme as being the 'next great hope' so far... They barely leave him alone. Given his sometimes shambolic season in 2021, it almost been too much...

Besides, Red Bull have a long history of not caring about rival sponsorship at 'their' events. Many X-Fighters and other motorcross riders are often sponsored by other drinks.

Red Bull TV give big coverage to other sponsored drivers / riders in Dakar too