[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I like...

[rallyfiend]

WRC drivers and teams against Turkey's potential return to calendar

Plans for Turkey's return to the World Rally Championship in 2017 have met opposition from leading drivers and teams.

A delegation of Turkish officials visited last week's Rally Catalunya in an effort to convince the service park the event should rejoin the schedule for the first time since 2010.

Turkey, China and Poland are listed by the FIA as potential 2017 rounds, with either one or two of the trio set to get the nod.

But WRC champion Sebastien Ogier is among those arguing that security concerns amid recent terrorism and the political instability around an attempted coup earlier this year should keep it off the calendar.

"Right now with the political situation in Turkey, I would not want to go there and I don't think it would be clever to go there," Ogier said.

"But hopefully - and more for the Turkish people - this situation will change and it can develop in a better way."

Citroen team boss Yves Matton echoed those sentiments.

"Turkey could be an interesting rally for the calendar, but the timing is not good," he said.

"We don't know if, in one year, the security will be good for us to go there.

"It's maybe a rally more for 2018 than for 2017."

WRC promoter's Oliver Ciesla defended Turkey's provisional place on the calendar.

"I was there recently and the tourist season was in full flow, there was no feeling anything was wrong," he argued.

"There are major events happening in Turkey, such as the UEFA Champions' League and a major basketball event is going to Istanbul.

"We are not talking about going there tomorrow, we are talking about going there in 12 months."


http://www.autosport.com/news/report...-turkey-return

How interesting.

The only quotes are from French people, whose country is currently in a state of emergency over terrorist incidents and hosts 2 WRC events...

[EightGear]

Matton in Belgian.

[focus206]

This is probably better than what Citroen will actually use as a livery...
But 4 doors and aero like that, meh... they all look like touring cars. Hopefully they'll be nice to watch on stages.

[rallyfiend]

Matton in Belgian.

That further helps my point.

I wonder if he avoids Brussels airport.

[Rally Power]

For those of you wondering how close MSPORT and DMACK are then look no further than the published financial details of DMACK Global.....
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...pdf&download=0
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...673494/charges

That’s quite a revelation, Sal. According to those docs the Wilsons now own 25% of DMack. Considering Malcolm bright business career, DMack’s future looks promising. Good news for the sport!

[Mirek]

That further helps my point.

I wonder if he avoids Brussels airport.

Does Belgian airforce bomb it like the Turkish one did only few weeks a go?

[seb_sh]

While I think WRC (and others) should avoid Turkey due to recent happenings I would rather not discuss that in this thread.

So on a different note, it's clear now that Tanak is going back to MSport and Camilli will continue as per his contract. Evans seems to be out of a WRC drive. To me that means Ostberg and Suninen or Tidemand have a drive. Maybe Lukanyuk but that's a long shot.

Here's my armchair analysis:
Ostberg seems to have options because he has experience and money. Money is attractive to MSport and experience to Toyota. Note: I'm not aware of him testing with anyone yet. Also that "story" about having 3 options and one being disregarded is clearly: MSport, Toyota, private team (disregarded). So yeah, in reality there is just 1 unknown spot left in the WRC at Toyota or MSport. I assume it will be Suninen (it's what I would pick) and the other will be Ostberg. The only unknown now is who goes where.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Turkey is inevitably going to be in the calendar. Money speaks compared to Greece in which it deserves a place in the calendar.

[Danny0405]

Yes, Lappi is much more qualified than Camilli. He is also capable on all surfaces.

Ostberg third car for loose surfaces and Evans or someone else for tarmac seems like a plan.

The issue is that Ostberg is generally quite good in the first rallyes of the season (especially Sweden and Mexico). As the third car will only arrive in the fourth event, the situation is quite complicated for Toyota because if they hire Ostberg only for the third car, you will take a driver who çannot compete in his two most efficient rallyes.

In addition to that, Ostberg is the most experienced driver so, in terms of gaining experience, it would be strange not to use him in the first three rallyes.

In my opinion, Toyota is currently negotiating with drivers about this issue. Perhaps the best solution would be that each driver miss one of the first three rallyes (Monte Carlo for Ostberg, Sweden for Lappi and Mexico for Hanninen).