[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[bassist]

For Hyundai, it would be very complicated because they have three drivers with two years contract and probably with high salary as they have experience. Firing Sordo (the most likely option) to hire Ogier would be very costly. And hiring Latvala or Mikkelsen does not seem very useful looking at the results this season.

Citroën is effectively an option that males sense as Lefebvre's salary is probably very low. It would depend on Citroën's bosses wish to put a little more money to ensure the title. But, has Ogier forgiven to Citroën?

Is that why Kris was looking so pissed off on the weekend????

[dimviii]

William H
‏@billyboy205gti
@HaydenPaddon is there much banter between drivers on rallies, piss taking when cars are bent? Or spinning on power stage? Who is best joker


Hayden Paddon ‏@HaydenPaddon · 1h1 hour ago

Hayden Paddon Retweeted William H

Depends how close the battles are amongst people, but generally a little bit of banter. Kris and Dani pretty good at it ��

[AL14]

Paddon seems reading our forum.

Hi did actually. His codriver knew about Ole Lundefaret reading his theory here.

Hello Hayden! What's up?

[AL14]

As for VW issue.
If an article is written with conditional verbs is not of any interest for me.
When they will write a proper news using indicative verbs then maybe we have something to talk about.

[Rally Power]

No unfortunately there is a misconception that Audi chose FE over WEC which was brought about by the press release. Effectively Audi trying to save a bit of face and imply they are remaining in global motorsport. The decision for them to support Formula E was made before and independently of the WEC exit. They even put out a press release weeks ago, explaining the move to FE would not have any impact on Audi's current motorsport programmes. The FE stuff is absolutely tiny in comparison to the Le Mans effort. Really it's just a branding exercise.(...)

They wouldn’t be promising to keep Audi Sport work force just for PR purposes...everyone suspected Audi would leave LM/WEC before 2018, most likely because of group brand competition with Porsche, like you’ve mentioned. If they’re keeping their motorsport arm and decided to quit LM/WEC earlier it makes sense they’ll use the free time to prepare a full scale entry in other motorsport series. They’re saying its FE, why should we doubt?

Btw, today’s rumor is essentially the same BS story since dieselgate’s day after: VW will pull out motorsport due to the emissions scandal ‘financial burden’. Why can't people realize VW is one of the richest and most profitable industrial groups around? If they decide to leave motorsport they’ll do it for political pressures – there’s a strong eco lobby in Germany - not by financial needs.

Still, fingers crossed…

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As for VW issue.
If an article is written with conditional verbs is not of any interest for me.
When they will write a proper news using indicative verbs then maybe we have something to talk about.

Yeh, yeh, we know.. Mr I Dont Believe Anything Anyone Says Ever...

This is News and RUMOURS... if people want to discuss things this is the place.

[AL14]

Yeh, yeh, we know.. Mr I Dont Believe Anything Anyone Says Ever...

This is News and RUMOURS... if people want to discuss things this is the place.

I don't see the point of your post (and it's not the first time).
I'm not criticizing people discussing about the issue, just said that I don't give credit to articles with conditional verbs. May I sir?

[Simmi]

They wouldn’t be promising to keep Audi Sport work force just for PR purposes...everyone suspected Audi would leave LM/WEC before 2018, most likely because of group brand competition with Porsche, like you’ve mentioned. If they’re keeping their motorsport arm and decided to quit LM/WEC earlier it makes sense they’ll use the free time to prepare a full scale entry in other motorsport series. They’re saying its FE, why should we doubt?

Btw, today’s rumor is essentially the same BS story since dieselgate’s day after: VW will pull out motorsport due to the emissions scandal ‘financial burden’. Why can't people realize VW is one of the richest and most profitable industrial groups around? If they decide to leave motorsport they’ll do it for political pressures – there’s a strong eco lobby in Germany - not by financial needs.

Still, fingers crossed…

Formula E is a spec series. There is no development for Audi to do and the team to run those cars already exists. So I've no idea what the rest of their workforce will do. All I'm really saying is they pulled the WEC programme for political reasons first, cost cutting second. Not to go and do FE instead.

Of course even with the US fines VAG still have more than enough money to compete. This isn't about that. When workers start losing their jobs and you are under fire you can't be seen to be spending ridiculous amounts of money on motorsport - which at the end of the day is not a necessity. That's what it boils down to. Sportscar fans will remember Peugeot did exactly the same thing heading into 2012. They had a new car developed, built and were on their way to a test when they found out.

We've heard all these scare stories before but when well-placed sources say this is being tabled for discussion at a meeting this week then there seems to be some substance to this news.

[stefanvv]

They wouldn’t be promising to keep Audi Sport work force just for PR purposes...everyone suspected Audi would leave LM/WEC before 2018, most likely because of group brand competition with Porsche, like you’ve mentioned. If they’re keeping their motorsport arm and decided to quit LM/WEC earlier it makes sense they’ll use the free time to prepare a full scale entry in other motorsport series. They’re saying its FE, why should we doubt?

Btw, today’s rumor is essentially the same BS story since dieselgate’s day after: VW will pull out motorsport due to the emissions scandal ‘financial burden’. Why can't people realize VW is one of the richest and most profitable industrial groups around? If they decide to leave motorsport they’ll do it for political pressures – there’s a strong eco lobby in Germany - not by financial needs.

Still, fingers crossed…

Good points. Honestly I thought AUDI will leave WEC sooner or later after the Porsche came into it (this was about the same time VAG considered Posrche as the sports brand of the group instead of AUDI to this point). There seems to be no room for in company competition in 1 series. They may use now the dieselgate as a reason, but is it really?

I believe VW will be in WRC at least until 2019 as the initial plan was, may be with reduced budged somehow, but they should be in. You don't spend 18 months of developing entirely new car for nothing.

[Simmi]

You don't spend 18 months of developing entirely new car for nothing.

You don't from a motorsport perspective. But the new car means nothing to the board members who are looking at the bigger picture for the company.