[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[dimviii]

I bet phonecalls have already been made

[dimviii]

Is this an opportunity for Skoda to enter WRC? Let's hope so!

I wouldn't be so sure if the dieselgate will not affect other members of vw group.

[Munkvy]

Sordo a while ago in an interview said something about as long as he was wanted and was competitive he would continue in WRC... Is this Hyundai's chance to offer him a retirement package he can't say no to?

Can you imagine the fireworks of an Ogier/Paddon/Neuville team...?

[jonkka]

Do not forget that if VW pulls the plug and doesn't participate in 2017 WRC they still have their drivers under contract. Which means that they will get salary from VW (at least for 2017, maybe longer depending on their contractual terms). Which would mean that they can drive for anyone at very low price or even for free without affecting their income - which in turn means that missing budget wouldn't be a problem.

Also, for 2017 any team is a potential employer because everyone is in same situation eg. with new and unproven car. The only downside is that the three VW drivers have not tested any of those new cars (which they'll do before signing) and will not have same amount of testing than other drivers that have developed those cars. So in this sense, switch for 2017 season is a bit easier to make than normally.

So the big question for them is: which team provides not only best car for 2017 but also best total package for 2018 when they conceivably have to be paid for real.

[Zeakiwi]

Toyota sell over 60 000 cars a year in France and around 12 000 a year in Finland. Do the marketing departments get a say in who the rally teams get to sign as the driver.
Latvala to EKS WRX or Marklund?
Ogier to Toyota? and Hanninen kept on as a test driver.

Ostberg to become a 'Henning Solberg' doing selected Euro rounds

[Andre Oliveira]

FFSA - M-Sport relation are better than ever with Rallye Jeunes deal....

[RS]

Is this an opportunity for Skoda to enter WRC? Let's hope so!

It would be great but even if it were to happen i can't see it before 2018 or even 2019. Skoda take their time.

I am sure they would do much better than last time now that the team is much better managed and engineered.

[EstWRC]

Ogier seems to get on really well with Tanak recently... good interaction and clear mutual respect. I think M-Sport is a real possibility with the other comment about him liking to have worked with MW.

i have noticed it also, especially in Wales last week. Like people say here, he doesnt get a along with Meeke very well, so for me it leaves Toyota or M-sport for Ogier.

[WUff1]

I wouldn't be so sure if the dieselgate will not affect other members of vw group.

Yes, we shouldn´t forget also Audi has to pack in at WEC.

[WUff1]

Toyota sell over 60 000 cars a year in France and around 12 000 a year in Finland. Do the marketing departments get a say in who the rally teams get to sign as the driver.
Latvala to EKS WRX or Marklund?
Ogier to Toyota? and Hanninen kept on as a test driver.

Ostberg to become a 'Henning Solberg' doing selected Euro rounds

As long as Makinen is the boss I don´t see any other driver at Toyota than Finnish ones.