2016 Silly Season

[Fast Eddie WRC]

You can listen to it and hear for yourself.

Camilli is also interviewed on the podcast, or didn't you listen to it all ?

[Simmi]

Camilli is also interviewed on the podcast, or didn't you listen to it all ?

I think maybe you need to go and listen to it again - but admittedly it's not very clear.

Camilli said his contract with TMG HAS finished (not had). And it sounds to me like he says they activated the clause to exit the contract. (Skip to 20:31 in the podcast). That's in line with what Malcolm said (why would he lie?). So I'm not really sure what point you're making?

For what it's worth Suninen said last month he expects to work with TMG again next season. But I don't know whether this was before Toyota told TMG to stop testing their WRC car - http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/201...5--51-51-.html

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I think maybe you need to go and listen to it again - but admittedly it's not very clear.

Camilli said his contract with TMG HAS finished (not had). And it sounds to me like he says they activated the clause to exit the contract. (Skip to 20:31 in the podcast). That's in line with what Malcolm said (why would he lie?). So I'm not really sure what point you're making?

For what it's worth Suninen said last month he expects to work with TMG again next season. But I don't know whether this was before Toyota told TMG to stop testing their WRC car - http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc-2/news/201...5--51-51-.html

You were the one puzzling me saying 'whatever that means' re Wilson...

Sounded clear enough to me from Camilli that there was no problem with him 'leaving' TMG.

Certainly no hard feelings from their side:

Toyota Motorsport GmbH 30 November:
'Good luck to Eric Camilli, who leaves TMG to join M-Sport as a full-time WRC driver for 2016. It has been a pleasure working with you this year and we wish you a fantastic future !'

[Simmi]

No hard feelings on social media. Probably no hard feelings in real life either but they still had to 'work out a solution' to get Camilli out of his TMG deal. If the deal with TMG had already ended then there wouldn't have been any issues or anything to work out. That's all I'm saying. I don't really get why that's complicated?

What's interesting is what really is going on with TMG? What are their plans now? Do their driver contracts have anything to do with the Toyota factory? We assumed not. What do they actually get out of these development driver deals?

[AndyRAC]

So Camilli isn't bringing money. He wasn't a stand out performer in WRC2 - he has showed promise, but nothing more. He'll be in a WRCar and learning from event to event. Is he really the best candidate? We'll only find out next year.

As for Toyota, TMG, Makinen.....I think its case of wait & see. I personally think Akio Toyoda has wanted a 'hands on' role with the running/ choice of the programme; rather than leaving it to TMG in Cologne.

[Rally Power]

Errr, has he?

Yep, belgian colleagues post it some time ago: http://www.dhnet.be/sports/moteurs/m...70bccfaed0ff24

[Rally Power]

I personally think Akio Toyoda has wanted a 'hands on' role with the running/ choice of the programme; rather than leaving it to TMG in Cologne.

Maybe Toyoda motivation wasn't to have a 'hans on' role, as it seems he has given Makinen even a larger freedom.

Looking at the time frame, I'm still convinced that Toyoda got totally pissed off with another TMG Le Mans failure and realized they weren't able to run both programs properly.

On TMG's drivers contracts, like Camilli case they'll probably end in a friendly way: Sarrazin continues to be LM/WEC Toy driver (and FE Venturi); Suninen is managed by Jouhky (close to Makinen) and the Japs boys (I believe there were some linked to TMG) can be absorbed by Toyota Gazoo Racing* domestic programs.

*we've got to get used to these crappy official designation (yep, no Rally on it!) as it was adopted for all Toyota motorsport activities around the world (only US Toyota Racing doesn't use Gazoo brand...maybe because in american slang it isn't a pretty word!).

[vino_93]

The two japanese weren't linked to TMG I think, but to TMR.

[skarderud]

Norwegian media writes that Ola fløene is Østbergs New co-driver?

[Sulland]

Norwegian media writes that Ola fløene is Østbergs New co-driver?

You won by 30 sec, Skarderud :-)

Did not see this one coming.
So who is Mikkelsen going to choose, is then the new question?