2023 WRC News & Rumours

[bandit12]

And use the same co-driver with Ogier

Yes. Same car and same co driver.

[Danny0405]

Well, I’m skeptical about Loubet’s potential, he is for a while in WRC so he knows the round (which is a big advantage compared with drivers around the same age) and except for 1 or 2 rallies with road position advantage, he was not way better than Solberg this year (and last year, he was very bad in Hyundai even a bit outdated, compared other guys in the same outdated car such as Solans).
And he never developed a car so I’m a bit doubtful he can lead Toyota’s effort to develop the rally2 car (even if he was a rather good Rally2 driver so he is a bit the market target 3 years ago).

That being said, if Toyota is going to plan Rovanpera-Evans in the first 2 cars, Katsuta full-time between 3rd and 4th car and Ogier part-time in 3rd, it would let an half-season not used in 4th car; if Loubet brings some budget as he did in the last 3 years, indeed, Toyota could have an interest to try it after all (except if you take Tanak but that’s a different matter, there is no no-brainer choice).

[mknight]

To ressurect some discussion.

A week ago it was rumored Lappi had to leave Toyota (due to either Tanak coming or Katsuta being nominated). Now with rumors about Loubet and Latvalas recent comments on (potential) new driver it seem maybe he left on his own.

If Lappi left on his own was it a good move from him?

a) OMG leaving fastest/best car (manu Champ) for second time (first time 2018) for a "twitchy" car. Almost cost him his career last time.

or

b) in Toyota there was no clear way to full season. When he tried to push for wins in his starts he failed (Sardinia and before that Croatia, in Finland he almost did a Meeke which would definitely shut the door) so he had to dial back to "steady" (Ypres). Maybe he thinks that with limited number of starts it is harder to push for wins (and towards full season) with less time in car.

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/toyot...ing-next-week/

According to them, this week it’s Hyundai, next week is Toyota.

[EstWRC]

Like I predicted. Toyota announcing next week https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/toyot...ing-next-week/

E: Eli was faster

[becher]

To ressurect some discussion.

A week ago it was rumored Lappi had to leave Toyota (due to either Tanak coming or Katsuta being nominated). Now with rumors about Loubet and Latvalas recent comments on (potential) new driver it seem maybe he left on his own.

If Lappi left on his own was it a good move from him?

a) OMG leaving fastest/best car (manu Champ) for second time (first time 2018) for a "twitchy" car. Almost cost him his career last time.

or

b) in Toyota there was no clear way to full season. When he tried to push for wins in his starts he failed (Sardinia and before that Croatia, in Finland he almost did a Meeke which would definitely shut the door) so he had to dial back to "steady" (Ypres). Maybe he thinks that with limited number of starts it is harder to push for wins (and towards full season) with less time in car.

He found himself in the same situation as 2018, he is the third(fourth) man in the team, at Citroen he was supposed to be no.1 at Hyundai he will likely be the no.2, which is an improvement over his Toyota position.

[rp]

He found himself in the same situation as 2018, he is the third(fourth) man in the team, at Citroen he was supposed to be no.1 at Hyundai he will likely be the no.2, which is an improvement over his Toyota position.

Hopefully this time the history will not repeat. Must be a 2-year contract just like with Citroën, but they stopped after the 1st year.

[mknight]

He found himself in the same situation as 2018, he is the third(fourth) man in the team, at Citroen he was supposed to be no.1 at Hyundai he will likely be the no.2, which is an improvement over his Toyota position.

He was "no.1" at MSport, which meant running 6-7th on rallies.

Being "Lord of the flies" might be nice, but won't make you win rallies.

[AndersX]

By putting together info bits, It does not seem realistic - Tanak to Toyota, unless they make a move with Evans or Evans him self makes the move. My bet would go to Tanak and Loeb shares 1 Puma, i.e., Tanak takes 2023 as regrouping year, waits out on all the development glitches on R1 cars and comes back in 2024 - when situation should be more clear with manufacturers, including that it is very doubtfull that MSport could continue in this low-budget style long term - makes no business sense (in the light of Fiesta news).

[AnttiL]

He was "no.1" at MSport, which meant running 6-7th on rallies.

With a car not capable of anything anymore and close to no testing