[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[macebig]

Not to mention, I'm feeling robbed that the 2017 Polo will be consigned to the bin with the Group S cars. Particularly disappointing as it was surely going to be the fastest car rally in has ever seen.

On the bright side,Codemasters may be able to pick up a license for the 2017 Polo prototype on the cheap for Dirt Rally 2...

[Danny0405]

Why would M-Sport need a 3rd car (they will have plenty privateers also next year)? They don't care about the manufacturers' championship too much, they care about winning rallies or at least finishing on the podium. And Ogier on his worst day is more capable of delivering said results than Ostberg on his best I'm afraid... Not to mention getting sponsors would be easier for Malcolm if he could get Ogier, his performance and marketing value is much better than Ostberg's.

The issue you are addressing is not the same.
Is Ogier better than Ostberg and will he bring more point than Ostberg? Of course, I do not even see who could tell the contrary.

For Wilson, the question is: is he only interested by the driver title or by the manufacturers championship too?
I am pretty sure that he would want to win both titles if he has the money (and privateers do not count for the manufacturers championship).

This is the main think many people do not understand about Ostberg. The issue is not to chose between Ostberg and another driver, it is to chose between Ostberg and nothing as Ostberg is able to pay (at least a part of) his drive.

From Malcolm's perspective the issue is simple: you can have only 2 drivers on your team (Tanak and Ogier) which is effectively a great team and could win the manufacturers championship. However, other teams have 3 drivers and you are short in money for a 3rd driver.
And you have an available driver who can pay his drive and who will probably achieve his 5th season with 100+ points.

What do you do? If you are logical and without considering that you like of not Ostberg, you take Ostberg as a 3rd driver because it increases your chances in the championship for little money.

[seb_sh]

Sad news, I was hoping they would at least get one more year but I can't say I'm shocked. Withdrawing from WEC and WRC will barely make a dent on the whole but I guess they're cutting everything that's not essential and not fully electric. A big part of their strategy is to invest heavily on electric cars. So I guess it doesn't matter how much they spent on the new car any extra euro is just wasted if it's not going to development of electric cars. Oh and I wouldn't count on seeing any privateer VW cars, as they're not "finished" and they surely don't want them to be there and behind the competition.

Suddenly 3 of the best 5 drivers (in my opinion) are on the market. M-Sport and Toyota are in the best position to capitalise on this because their driver line-ups are still quite open. But I bet Citroen can open up 1 space and give partial programs to Breen and Lefebvre. Hyundai would need to spend some cash to drop one of their drivers and grab one of the VW boys, not sure if it's worth going for Latvala but Ogier and Mikkelsen could replace any of their drivers and be an improvement.

My prediction:
Citroen: Ogier, Meeke, Breen+Lefebvre sharing
Hyundai: Neuville, Sordo, Paddon
Ford: Mikkelsen, Tanak, Ostberg
Toyota: Latvala, Hanninen, Lappi
DMack: Camilli, Evans

My wish: swap Ogier and Mikkelsen

Another point that comes to mind is this is a big disadvantage to newer drivers like Tidemand or Suninen because there are once again much fewer top seats available than it seemed.

[CivEngine]

IMHO I think we have to wait until official announcement before getting in deep on speculating. Time will tell but, if true, obviously are bad news.

I'm also afraid that the 'Silly Season' (that for sure will start sooner than later) stops many drivers progressions...Lappi, Evans..

[macebig]

Mikkelsen had some beef with Wilson from the RamSport/Ford Norway years,didn't he?

[RS]

Re: DMack, if your tyres are not at the same level as the opposition I think you really don't want Mads in the car from a performance or PR point of view.

Evans and Suninen please, if they run two cars.

[dimviii]

Mikkelsen could replace any of their drivers and be an improvement.

I am not sure...

[Lundefaret]

I'm afraid Capito is a sneaky sob who knew or had a gut feeling on what's gonna happen next. Well played I must say!

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I actually think you have that the wrong way around.
If its true that VW pulls out, I am very confident that the whole 2016-season for Volkswagen was because Jost Capito fought for it.

[dimviii]

Marc Martí Moreno ‏@MarcMartiWRC · 4h4 hours ago


@CarlosdelBarrio I believe that safe Latvala at the Finish/Toyota Team

[cali]

I actually think you have that the wrong way around.
If its true that VW pulls out, I am very confident that the whole 2016-season for Volkswagen was because Jost Capito fought for it.

Hmmm... On a second note you could be right as well but... Then again he knew something that Smeets did not know....

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