[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[Lousada]

Tänak is fast only in fast gravel rallies such as Poland, Finland and UK (if it's dry). Otherwise he can't finish in top five if nobody retires.

I don't think we will see Ogier in Citroen. They can't pay him enough. Their budget is probably big enough but the image of PSA would suffer big time if they hired him for big enough sum of money, while making hundreds or even thousands of factory employees redundant.

Citroën will pay the same, if not more, than M-Sport. And both will pay substantially less than his current contract with VAG.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Re Meeke as Ogier challenger and needing a good start in Monte Carlo - it's a pity he and Citroen didnt make sure he got more points in 2016 for a better road position on the first 2017 event.

He could have really poor road conditions where he will start from and struggle to match the pace of Ogier, Neuville, Mikkelsen etc.

Not an ideal way to start the new season, playing catch-up already...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I have a feeling Ogier will sign for Citroen. They car is likely to be faster than the M-sport car, he knows the team (or some of it), the money will be better and most importantly he is in the same car as the bloke he probably considers his biggest threat in terms of speed.

Ogier wont risk playing catch-up to Meeke, so being in the same car seems like the sensible option. OK, the Citroen might be slow than the Ford and Hyundai, but it is unlikely.

From a sporting point of view and to add more excitement to a pretty dull championship fight, it would be better if Ogier was in a Ford; however, realistically his best option is Citroen.

Ogier would have to swallow some big pride to return to Citroen after the way he left.

I think he would love to beat them again and the Fiesta will be good enough for him to do that.

[Andre Oliveira]

Re Meeke as Ogier challenger and needing a good start in Monte Carlo - it's a pity he and Citroen didnt make sure he got more points in 2016 for a better road position on the first 2017 event.

He could have really poor road conditions where he will start from and struggle to match the pace of Ogier, Neuville, Mikkelsen etc.

Not an ideal way to start the new season, playing catch-up already...

Points are atribued by manufacter, no Citroën offcially means last numbers (only Toyota will have higher).

[COD]

C3's Launch Event is cancelled : http://www.revistascratch.com/wrc/no...medium=twitter

VW all over again?

[Walach]

Re Meeke as Ogier challenger and needing a good start in Monte Carlo - it's a pity he and Citroen didnt make sure he got more points in 2016 for a better road position on the first 2017 event.

He could have really poor road conditions where he will start from and struggle to match the pace of Ogier, Neuville, Mikkelsen etc.

Not an ideal way to start the new season, playing catch-up already...

Or he could have much better road conditions where he will start from and take advantage of it. Might be ideal way to start the new season...
... I mean, lets not forget this is Rally Monte Carlo. It would not be for the first time when drivers with higher starting number have perfect conditions on first day and I am pretty sure not the last time, too.

[Rally Power]

VW all over again?

Nope...revistascratch change it, now they’re saying that Citroen will launch the C3 WRC on Dec 21 in Abu Dahi: http://www.revistascratch.com/wrc/no...l-c3-wrc-35554

Will they also change their last scoop?: “Few hours for Ogier to become an MSport driver”
http://www.revistascratch.com/wrc/no...-m-sport-35558

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Points are atribued by manufacter, no Citroën offcially means last numbers (only Toyota will have higher).

So Meeke's 2016 Drivers Championship finishing position means nothing as his team wasnt doing the full season ?

[Andre Oliveira]

17. SEASONALLY ALLOCATED COMPETITION NUMBERS
17.1 MANUFACTURER AND WRC TEAMS
The World Champion driver of the previous season is allocated number 1. The second driver of the World Champion’s team is allocated number 2. Using the same system, the numbers are then allocated by the FIA according to the classification of the previous year’s Manufacturers’ Championship. Remaining P1 drivers, other than those using a number under Art. 17.3, shall be allocated sequential numbers by the organiser up to number 30.
17.2 WRC 2 AND WRC 3
17.2.1 Competition numbers between 31 and 60 for WRC 2 competitors and between 61 and 80 for WRC 3 competitors will be allocated rally by rally, according to the provisional classification of the Championships concerned. Greater numbers may be allocated if required.
17.3 NUMBER REQUESTS
P1 drivers may request a specific number which differs from the above provided that the application is endorsed by the Promoter.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

That is just about the car numbers.
Wont Neuville start next after Ogier at Monte even if his number is 4 ? 2016 Ch"ship order ?