[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[WUff1]

my rumours about 2017 line up

VW: Ogier,Mikkelsen
VW II : Tidemand,Al-Attiyah?
Citroen: Meeke,Breen/Neuville
Ford: Latvala/Neuville,Tanak
Hyundai: Paddon,Sordo
Toyota:Hanninen,Sunninen/Lappi

Supposed to some drivers drives R5 cars again: Evans,Camilli,Abbring
Its also pretty sure that Tidemand and Lappi leaves Škoda for WRC car drives.So i expected Bergvist should be new choice number 1 for Škoda motorsport

I think Tidemand will stay at Skoda, but Lappi (will have to) leave. Skoda now seems to feature Tidemand more than Lappi.

[sete]

yes,Škoda seems to prefer Tidemand ahead of Lappi now.But we škoda is doing it for Volkswagen.So we should know what is going on.
Lappi would drive a Polo WRC this year but he didnt win WRC 2 title by his fault and then a VW group troubles amkes he stays in Škoda for this year.
And now Tidemand shine much more then Lappi.

[seb_sh]

My prediction at the moment:

VW: Ogier, Latvala, Mikkelsen
Citroen: Meeke, Breen/Lefebvre (alternating)
Hyundai: Paddon, Sordo, Abbring
Ford: Ostberg, Neuville
Toyota: Hanninen, Tanak, Lappi
DMACK: Evans

I'm not surprised Citroen is chasing Sordo, he's the best available option atm. Meeke + Sordo would be a strong team.

Bergkvist and Sunninen aren't ready yet but Tidemand could step up, unfortunately VW has no room for him at the moment.

[stefanvv]

I guess it is time for a silly something thread
On the serious note this season is very far from over, many things may change.

[seb_sh]

I guess it is time for a silly something thread
On the serious note this season is very far from over, many things may change.

Indeed, as far as I know the VW drivers, Meeke, Paddon and Abbring have contracts for next year, maybe Ostberg as well, oh and Hanninen but I'm not sure if he will drive the whole season.

[itix]

I'm with you that I wish there were more opportunities for young drivers. I picked who I think we'll see - not who I want to see. Reasons being that Abbring has done a lot of work for Hyundai and I think either Neuville/Sordo will leave. Camilli has a two-year deal at M-Sport (they also have first option on him in 2018), but I can see him being demoted next year.

Citroen have put a lot of resource into developing Lefebvre. I agree with AL14 that they really need a second stronger driver to sit alongside Meeke.


For me Tanak is in a difficult position to prove himself. If he beats Ostberg in stage times every says "so what". And if the tyres are as bad as everyone says then how does Ott stand out from the crowd?

I think it's far too early for Bergkvist. Best scenario for him would be to be picked up by a manufacturer at R5. E.g. if Abbring moved up he could be Hyundai's R5 guy. Toyota seem to be more interested in developing their Japanese duo. Skoda look like they have enough guys and that Kreim is the next driver on the ladder.

I agree that it's early days for Bergkvist but I'd still give him a chance if he does well throughout this season. He's the same age as Sunninen and he has proven that he can stay on the road and can judge his pace well which is important.

Sunninen has more 4wd experience, I'll give him that, but he seems a bit more crash prone.

[GravelBen]

If Latvala has a few more crashes he might end up at Toyota and the VW team cut to two cars like the Porsche endurance team has been cut to two cars.

He's had only had one driver error retirement this season hasn't he? And two mechanicals.

[Simmi]

He's had only had one driver error retirement this season hasn't he? And two mechanicals.

Can't remember how he broke his suspension in Sweden - but his Monte retirement was a "mechanical" after his infamous trip through a ditch/spectator area.

[GravelBen]

Can't remember how he broke his suspension in Sweden - but his Monte retirement was a "mechanical" after his infamous trip through a ditch/spectator area.

I was counting Monte as driver error.

Sweden was driveshaft failure leaving him with 2wd, followed by suspension failure later that day - whether he hit something to cause that suspension failure (while trying to keep a 2wd WRC car on the road without losing too much time) or if it was mechanically due to the driveshaft I don't know.

Mexico he won.

Argentina was (dramatic) suspension failure while leading.

I think most people would consider him the current second best driver in WRC, VW also have the current best driver so they don't need Latvala to win everything - in fact they're probably quite happy for him to be further back in the points and not put pressure on Ogier as long they keep a comfortable lead in the manufacturers championship. I'd say his seat is safer than most.

[Simmi]

Yeah I think you're correct in your assessment and I agree with you Ben that Latvala is the perfect number two driver. He's not consistent enough to threaten Ogier over a season, but he is the next best in terms of raw pace. Enough so that if you're VW you wouldn't want him going to a rival.