[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[Miika]

Tommi is the boss, in every sense of the word.

TOMMI MÄKINEN LEADS TOYOTA GAZOO RACING’S WRC RETURN IN 2017


Toyota GAZOO Racing has determined its team structure leading up to Toyota’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda will serve as team chairman while Tommi Mäkinen*, a celebrated WRC veteran, will be offering his expertise as team principal. With comprehensive oversight from Mäkinen, who holds four drivers’ titles over his 18-year WRC career, the team will strengthen its vehicle development capabilities and work toward 2017.


Team name
Toyota GAZOO Racing

Vehicle
Yaris WRC (length: 3910 mm; width: 1820 mm)

Team chairman
Akio Toyoda

Team principal
Tommi Mäkinen


Full article: http://www.toyota-motorsport.com/en/...return-in-2017

[Leon]

I just wondering... to be a holder of four drivers’ titles over an 18-year WRC career automatically makes you a competent Team Principal?

I m not saying he is not, time will show, but what is the reasoning behind his appointment?

[Eli]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119880 the official announcement from autosport regarding toyota & makkinen

[Ounin]

"""Nobody from TMG was available for comment when AUTOSPORT contacted Cologne, but sources within TMG say the company will continue with its development programme of its own Yaris WRC"""

What is the plan; to continue along two axis, is TMG gone, or will Makinen take a position at TMG?

I think it's a very unclear situation, I'm following WEC (f.i. Le Mans) quite intensively there is the same situation where Gazoo Racing is official entrant , and the running of the cars as well as R&D is done by TMG. Gazoo read Toyota is paying TMG to run the whole project. When Tommi Makinen is heading the WRC development now it doesn't mean it will be Tommie Makinen Racing who has got the deal to develop the Yaris. Don't forget there is a huge factory in Cologne available next to the Toyota LMP 1 workshop.
I can understand the silence of TMG.

[giu canbera]

Citroen said they will remove one of its programs by 2017. WRC or WTCC
I'm kinda pissed cuz... y'know...
WTCC?!?! WFT is that?!

You can ask anyone (except WTCC's board) about WTCC and no one will have an answer for "what is that?"
RALLY is the most famous thing together with F1 and MotoGP.
I dont believe Citroen is even CONSIDERING WTCC, even with its dominance.

Meh

[RS]

Citroen said they will remove one of its programs by 2017. WRC or WTCC
I'm kinda pissed cuz... y'know...
WTCC?!?! WFT is that?!

You can ask anyone (except WTCC's board) about WTCC and no one will have an answer for "what is that?"
RALLY is the most famous thing together with F1 and MotoGP.

I don't know... i am in the UK and when Meeke (ie. Citroen) won their event this year it received less column inches in the newspapers than Michael Schumacher's son winning some cart race the same day.

[Barreis]

In the logical way of thinking they'll choose the sport where they have more success at the moment...

[rallyfun]

According to autosport Matton is well pissed off with Meeke and will decide soon about the line up for 2016, Loeb is an option although he's not convinced. Matton doesn't accept any excuses from Meeke after Sardinia and Poland.

[Eli]

According to autosport Matton is well pissed off with Meeke and will decide soon about the line up for 2016, Loeb is an option although he's not convinced. Matton doesn't accept any excuses from Meeke after Sardinia and Poland.

which autosport?

[Eli]

meanwhile in other news http://www.maxrally.com/2015/07/09/back-to-the-future, regulations for 2017 will be discussed tommorow in WMSC in Mexico