[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[EightGear]

im not gonna say any names or teams because it is all just stories/rumors and there's a lot of ifs and so on but it was very interesting for me

That's all we're doing anyway, rumours and ifs and buts are what makes the fun!

So, hurry up with those stories.

[Simmi]

Yeah the forum is already quiet enough as it is - let alone if people stop speculating.

[dimviii]

im not gonna say any names or teams because it is all just stories/rumors and there's a lot of ifs and so on but it was very interesting for me

Regarding Citroen i agree too with some here that Citroen definitely wants an French driver, in that sense Lefebvre has a lot more chance but Breen has a lot more potential IMO.

Colin Clark ‏@voiceofrally

Hearing that @EsapekkaLappi tested the @TOYOTA_GR Yaris today. Also that @RovanperaRacing was testing also. Both only managed a few kms

[EstWRC]

Dunno where is Colin taking this...i didnt hear anything this at all but im not saying he isnt right.

[dimviii]

what happened wih Petter?

Mads Østberg ‏@MadsOstberg

Sad to see @Petter_Solberg brought to hospital after a fantastic race weekend in Canada �� Fingers crossed you'll be back in no time! #WRX

[MartijnS]

After the race Marklund crashed into him from the back.

[Simmi]

what happened wih Petter?

Mads Østberg ‏@MadsOstberg

Sad to see @Petter_Solberg brought to hospital after a fantastic race weekend in Canada �� Fingers crossed you'll be back in no time! #WRX

He got rear ended just after the chequered flag in the WorldRX final in Canada. Gone to hospital for checks.

[Simmi]

Dunno where is Colin taking this...i didnt hear anything this at all but im not saying he isnt right.

You working for Toyota now?

I believe young Kalle has already been in the car? Shaking down a few bits. Surely after Finland Lappi is nailed on for a seat, and if he's been in the car then he;s a massive step closer.

[Mariusz]

I dont think its that easy Jack4688.
Matton is in the same situation as Mäkinen, in that he needs to check with the factory what the strategy is/will be for the 2017 season - and beyond. And here we are talking about the marketing strategy, since every factory rally effort is a prolonged arm of the marketing department.
So for Matton, the questions will be:

1) Drivers championship or Manufacturer championship or both?
- If the main goal (not normal in Citroën) is the drivers championhsip, then they could have Meeke handle that, and this would open up for a younger, more inexperienced driver in the second seat. (Breen, Levfebre, Tanak, Sunninen, Lappi, Tideman, etc etc.)
- If the manufaturer championship is the aim, he wants to combine Meeke with an experienced driver that can go about collecting points in as many rallies as possible. Then the list is something like:
Neuville, Sordo, Østberg

2) How important are the nationality of the driver(s)?
- Would it be feasible that the marketing departement will allow an all Irish team?
- Would they want a French driver (Levefebre) or a French speaking one (Neuville?)

I think this is why its totally understandable that Matton has as many as 10 drivers on his list, and also I the answer to these questions is needed before he makes up his mind.

The same goes for Tommi: What is the aim for 2017, and 2018? How much risk do they want to take, do they want results from the first rally, or do they want to build for the future - etc etc

There should be one more
3) or 1.5) If FIA changes the manufacturer points scoring rules so the best 2 of 3 will score points then most of the young guns can actually forget about having a factory seat. In this case the third car couldn't be driven by anybody inexperienced if a team wants to maximize its chances.

[Simmi]

There should be one more
3) or 1.5) If FIA changes the manufacturer points scoring rules so the best 2 of 3 will score points then most of the young guns can actually forget about having a factory seat. In this case the third car couldn't be driven by anybody inexperienced if a team wants to maximize its chances.

Given a couple of teams are talking about running two cars I think we have to assume this rumoured rule isn't happening.

And even if it did - where are these 15 experienced and quick WRC drivers? I count 10 or 11 max. Same as where are all these tarmac specialists Capito was so worried about? It's 2016.