2016 Silly Season

[Mirek]

I think AL14 is referring to whether they stay on in 2017, as Matton has said that this will influence their driver decisions for next year.

As Simmi said I was referring about 2017.

Aha, ok. Anyway I think that Matton gave very strong hint that they are going to stay in WRC by saying that that their marketing studies show that nothing except F1 is even close to WRC in terms of worldwide popularity and that they are disappointed with WTCC.

[WUff1]

How will the factory teams look like in 16?

last I have read is;
VW as is
Lefebvre to Citroen
Meeke to Ford
Sordo out and Paddon in at Hyundai

Who if any will start the testing at Gazoo Toyota Team?

will we see any private teams in 16?

No way Lefebvre as a full works team driver considering his performance this year.

[itix]

No way Lefebvre as a full works team driver considering his performance this year.

Citroens main market is France and I believe they would like to see a french guy in "their" team. There is Quentin Gilbert that seem to go really well also, but he'd have to jump the middle step which would be risky. I don't think there is any proven talent for Citroen to take from unless Loeb decides to eat his own words and do a full season, so they'd either have to go with young talent or keep Crash Meeke... in which case I'd go with young talent. Probably same number of crashes but potential whereas Meeke is not impressing anyone but his die hard fans *sigh*. I had such hopes for Meeke... shame.

If I was wilson I'd be thoroughly disappointed with Evans. He has had two seasons now where he has done absolutely nothing in my opinion to earn a 2016 seat. His best ever results were due to other people crashing and he doesn't have even close to the speed to match the top even with the updated Fiesta. He has problems matching even the pace of Privateers like Kubica and Prokop

Also, I don't expect Sordo to get a full season (if any seat time at all) next year.

[Eli]

Also, I don't expect Sordo to get a full season (if any seat time at all) next year.

Sordo already has a contract for next season (all season long) with Hyundai

[tommeke_B]

Sordo already has a contract for next season (all season long) with Hyundai

If both Neuville and Paddon stay, I think we'll see what that contract is worth...

[itix]

Sordo already has a contract for next season (all season long) with Hyundai

Didn't know that... well, like Tommeke_B says, if there is fresh talent snapping at his heels I'm sure there is a buy-out clause somewhere. I'd agree that Paddon will probably be moved to a permanent nominated position next year.

I'm curious to what Msport will do. My guess is either Meeke or some young talent. If Tidemand or Lappi aren't staying at Skoda I think Msport will probably try to snatch either one of them. I would!

[AL14]

No way Lefebvre as a full works team driver considering his performance this year.

He seemed to be the new Loeb, now I'm afraid he will become the new Chardonnet.
Let's give him more time, but yes, his start was not impressive.

[EightGear]

Evans' pace on tarmac is better than on gravel, but I agree he will need to start showing some more speed now. Germany may be a good opportunity.

[Simmi]

Have to admit I'd forgotten about Sordo having a deal in his back pocket.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116608

As others have said it doesn't seem like he's been guaranteed full seasons or anything like that. Out of all the guys they ran in 2014 there weren't exactly many stand-out candidates.

If I had to guess I'd say it will be Thierry and Paddon next year in the works cars and then Dani/Abbring splitting time in the N car?

With Citroen I think Loeb will possibly come back for 2-3 rallies. If they re-commit then I'd expect they'd want Seb to help them with testing the new car.

[Duvel]

Have to admit I'd forgotten about Sordo having a deal in his back pocket.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116608

As others have said it doesn't seem like he's been guaranteed full seasons or anything like that. Out of all the guys they ran in 2014 there weren't exactly many stand-out candidates.

If I had to guess I'd say it will be Thierry and Paddon next year in the works cars and then Dani/Abbring splitting time in the N car?

With Citroen I think Loeb will possibly come back for 2-3 rallies. If they re-commit then I'd expect they'd want Seb to help them with testing the new car.

I hope loeb is willing to do a full season, if DS decide to continue after 2016 they should run a 3th car for a young talent, alternating whit Khalid.
For Hyundai i also think Sordo And Paddon wil change places, And Sordo will share N car whit Abring.
Msport than, i hope for a change there, but dont think it will happen. Wilson is very Evans minded. Ott, does have pottential but hasen't shown enough speed in my opinion. Tidemand or Meeke would be great.
VW stays the same, in 2017 i also think we will see Latvalla at Toyota, and lappi in the Polo.