[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[AL14]

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/wm/nach...-nicht-global/
looks like Corica will get the can next year, i truely hope they take away sardegna and bring it back to sanremo

Watching at rally sanremo in national championship it seems to go back in time when people died during rallys. I don't think it is a good idea in a safety point of view.

[Zeakiwi]

Are there any gravel roads left in Italy like the 1994 San Remo?
https://youtu.be/yG2jwYFgcfQ

Weren't there some suicide spectators on Sardinia too, standing in bad places?

[EstWRC]

http://www.maxrally.com/2015/08/26/n...thing-to-prove

pretty harsh words from team manager but i have to agree. He hasn't been the good old fast Neuville since Sweden and in Germany again he was beaten by Sordo.

[Rally Power]

Jack4688 is right. Does China need the WRC? Exactly the point of the feature story in MotorsportMonday.com two weeks ago (edition 126)!

You're both right and Martin Holmes has put it very clearly: more than the commercial or sport issues, the pressure to go to China came from the credibility need felt by the promoter and the FIA to support the globalized status of WRC.

Just hope that they manage to get a proper rally...

[AL14]

http://www.maxrally.com/2015/08/26/n...thing-to-prove

pretty harsh words from team manager but i have to agree. He hasn't been the good old fast Neuville since Sweden and in Germany again he was beaten by Sordo.

Agree. He keeps complaining about the car. He could have a point but it doesn't mean he should not fight anymore.

[Jasper]

Agree. He keeps complaining about the car. He could have a point but it doesn't mean he should not fight anymore.

Estwrc: Sordo is a specialist on tarmac. It would be strange when he doesn't keep up with Neuville in Germany. Look at the championship results and you will see who's doing the best job in the Hyundai.
In 2013 (germany) they both drove times in the area (or better) off the VW-boys. Since they both started to drive with the Hyundai...

I think Neuville tried really hard to beat the VW's. A couple of times he tried to hard and made mistakes (in sweden he was just lucky he didn't crash?). Now he's just thinking about the championship results and doesn't want to make stupid mistakes anymore. He's frustated because the promised new car doesn't come and the 'old' car isn't capable to compete with the VW's.

[Doon]

Agree. He keeps complaining about the car. He could have a point but it doesn't mean he should not fight anymore.

He does have a point though. Why roll the car into a ball every other rally just to prove he's still quick, when in reality he can only aim for 5th place if no one else makes mistakes. If that car is another duffer next year then Neuville must jump ship.

[Doon]

Estwrc: Sordo is a specialist on tarmac. It would be strange when he doesn't keep up with Neuville in Germany. Look at the championship results and you will see who's doing the best job in the Hyundai.
In 2013 (germany) they both drove times in the area (or better) off the VW-boys. Since they both started to drive with the Hyundai...

I think Neuville tried really hard to beat the VW's. A couple of times he tried to hard and made mistakes (in sweden he was just lucky he didn't crash?). Now he's just thinking about the championship results and doesn't want to make stupid mistakes anymore. He's frustated because the promised new car doesn't come and the 'old' car isn't capable to compete with the VW's.

In hindsight he probably should have stayed in a Fiesta or 2014. Wouldn't be surprised if he's in one in 2016 either, but I guess there isn't much change of Malcolm raising the £££.

[Grundo Farb]

I don't agree with the sentiment that if he doesn't think the car can win he shouldn't try as hard as he can. In 2011, Ogier was driving a Skoda S2000, he drove the absolute wheels off that thing at every opportunity. He was challenging the times of the WRC cars. It should not matter whether Neuville is driving a Hyundai, a Ford or whatever car, he is contracted to the manufacturer to drive as fast as he can. Besides, he has binned the car on a number of rallies this year - the power stage in Sardinia for example.

I think the team is frustrated that he isn't going as fast as he should/could be. That must be quite de-motivating for the team to then do everything it can to support him. The comment about Paddon is they see a positive progression, easy to build a team around a forward momentum.

[Jasper]

I don't agree with the sentiment that if he doesn't think the car can win he shouldn't try as hard as he can. In 2011, Ogier was driving a Skoda S2000, he drove the absolute wheels off that thing at every opportunity. He was challenging the times of the WRC cars. It should not matter whether Neuville is driving a Hyundai, a Ford or whatever car, he is contracted to the manufacturer to drive as fast as he can. Besides, he has binned the car on a number of rallies this year - the power stage in Sardinia for example.

I think the team is frustrated that he isn't going as fast as he should/could be. That must be quite de-motivating for the team to then do everything it can to support him. The comment about Paddon is they see a positive progression, easy to build a team around a forward momentum.

You can't compare the situation Ogier/Skoda, Neuville/Hyundai. The Hyundai simply doesn't work as it should be (if they want victories). And that's frustrating for Neuville (and the team).