Quote Originally Posted by seb_sh View Post
This thread is 1/3 on topic, 1/3 off topic and 1/3 utter trash.

It would be interesting to talk about potential drivers now that Hannine is confirmed but I don't think we can stay on topic long enough. Here goes nothing
I made a list of what I consider potential candidates (speed + experience) who do not have binding contracts for next year (marked uncertain contracts with '?'):
Ogier?, Latvala?, Ostberg, Neuville?, Evans, Sordo, Tanak, Kubica, Camilli, Breen, Lefebvre, Protasov, Lappi, Tidemand.
Rumor is Ogier and Latvala both have contracts till the end of 2016. Neuville extended last year with Hyundai but don't know by how much, probably a year so he would also be free.

Of course there are also the rumors about Solberg, Loeb or maybe Hirvonen coming out of retirement or they could get someone "unexpected" like M-Sport did with Camilli. Also one has to take into account that they have to beat offers from the other manufacturers. The VW drivers especially, Ogier probably impossible to steal, Latvala very hard. Also it's still a bit early in the season and many things can still happen.

I would probably start by trying to get a consistent and if possible fast driver that can be a reference both for the car and the other drivers. Ogier is probably impossible to get so the next target would be Sordo or Ostberg. After that, Latvala would be the best choice but he may be hard to get. I think I would only consider Hanninen for a partial program so if Latvala signes then I'd just put one of Breen, Tidemand, Lappi or Protasov (try to sign them in that order) in a half program paired with Hanninen. If Latvala doesn't sign the next choice would be Tanak in his place.
There are many options ahead of Makkinen and decent drivers out there, fast, consistent, young, experienced. I don't know what is Makkinen about this, but I don't want to see Hanninen & Lappi as a team. Nothing personal against each of them, they are just equal in character, except age of course.