Quote Originally Posted by car View Post
That is a possibly a really good point. Can any forum members with sufficient knowledge speak about how much impact a driver can have in the very first stages of car development (in terms of directing a car set-up to his/her preference)?
If it's a lot then I agree, Neuville should be getting stuck in right from the start!
I'm mostly an engine guy and I am not so well versed in the handling side of a car, but I imagine that this is the area where the driver really can make a difference in testing. He/she can feel the traction out of the corners and the yaw and roll of the car. Also a driver with a certain driving style can get the balance of the car good I guess. There better experts at this than me.

Engines are usually run in a dyno of sorts and engine development process is very different from road testing.