2022 WRC News & Rumours

[wyler]

it's pr, it's part of the game, not only rally, but for every brand. reality is another thing. i 'd not rely to much on media statement...

[er88]

Deleted

[er88]

Wilson said last year they had money for top driver. Millener said 2 weeks ago they would use money to get title contender but sadly none are available. Whether we believe them or not is another matter.

The annoying thing is that they don't seem to have a middle ground. They could've kept Lappi and or Suninen but wanted them to pay/wouldn't do pre event tests etc. They didn't plan for this season at all, other than hoping foolishly they could attract a top driver, and then went to other end of the spectrum with effective pay drivers with backing, and Breen crumbling under the pressure of being the only driver capable of fighting (when Loeb isn't there).

They're not interested in Mikkelsen and Malcolm only wants him if he pays. They're losing faith in Fourmaux. Loeb won't do enough events. Meeke has no future do his age so they aren't keen, and he'd crash. But then all their drivers are crashing anyway and have no speed. They're in an awful position and have nowhere to turn it seems

[mknight]

Well that's my main issue as well. It's either Ogier or you pay even if you have rally wins/podiums like those 3.

To be fair they did kind of go middle ground with Breen, but that's one out of 3 cars and risking it all on performace of one didn't work.

Evans was pretty much a middle driver comparable to those 3 until he went to Toyota (and almost got kicked for good at end of 2018).

[hutchie]

The annoying thing is that they don't seem to have a middle ground. They could've kept Lappi and or Suninen but wanted them to pay/wouldn't do pre event tests etc. They didn't plan for this season at all, other than hoping foolishly they could attract a top driver, and then went to other end of the spectrum with effective pay drivers with backing, and Breen crumbling under the pressure of being the only driver capable of fighting (when Loeb isn't there).

They're not interested in Mikkelsen and Malcolm only wants him if he pays. They're losing faith in Fourmaux. Loeb won't do enough events. Meeke has no future do his age so they aren't keen, and he'd crash. But then all their drivers are crashing anyway and have no speed. They're in an awful position and have nowhere to turn it seems

I think it's unfair to say they didn't plan for this season. The plan for this season and the driver they backed was Craig Breen with a group of younger inexperienced drivers backing him up and part-time Loeb. Sadly Craig has largely under delivered and has had accidents on his favoured events and not shown full potential elsewhere. And then of the youngsters in the team there has been flashes but neither Fourmaux, Greensmith or Loubet have set the world alight. While Loeb has delivered a win out of his 3 appearances.

The big question will be is how radically they change their approach to next season, do they continue to back Breen and any current drivers? Or will they bring in another more experienced top driver into the team as well as supporting other youngsters like Huttunen. And of course this all depends on finances and other deals.

So far with his limited season Loubet has looked the best of the current M-Sport youngsters with a 4th place in Sardegna. I'd like to see how he gets on in Acropolis and other events this year.

[Jewy46]

I wonder would they approach Ogier again and offer him to drive whatever events he wants next year while doing none of the PR etc he may/may not have to do with Toyota?
Just a thought. They need to explore every avenue IMO and help Craig by not having him as no1 in most events.

Imagine them having Loeb and Ogier coming in for events to take the pressure off and help develop the car and the team, as well as imparting wisdom to the younger drivers.

[Eli]

I wonder would they approach Ogier again and offer him to drive whatever events he wants next year while doing none of the PR etc he may/may not have to do with Toyota?
Just a thought. They need to explore every avenue IMO and help Craig by not having him as no1 in most events.

Imagine them having Loeb and Ogier coming in for events to take the pressure off and help develop the car and the team, as well as imparting wisdom to the younger drivers.

If they want to help Craig, A) they shouldn't give him the boot for next season & B) Bring in Tänak (assuming Ogier/Loeb.etc aren't available/tied to Toyota) & have him as your main driver while taking of the pressure from Breen and teaching him a thing or two about becoming world champion (the same way Ogier showed the way to Tänak). That's my two cents on the matter.

[WRCStan]

Can somebody please explain this pressure of being the team leader/main/no. 1 driver that Breen is supposed to have that's making him crumble? What the hell are you all talking about?

[rp]

Some drivers are able to handle the pressure and clearly Breen is not that kind of driver unfortunately. It´s not bad luck or something else to make mistakes third event in a row in this situation.

[WRCStan]

Some drivers are able to handle the pressure and clearly Breen is not that kind of driver unfortunately. It´s not bad luck or something else to make mistakes third event in a row in this situation.

What pressure? If Ogier and Tanak are in the same team and he still crashes, is he then just shit?