[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[sollitt]

Next year will be really interesting ... once the cats are finally able to play amongst the pigeons.

[N.O.T]

The really great news about Latvala to the village team is that once they flop they are going to take him with them.

I think toyota should be renamed into "finnish unemployment fund for the useless doggos"

At first it was funny then it became weird now its a scandal. They are ridiculing the sport.

[Allez Andruet]

At first it was funny then it became weird now its a scandal. They are ridiculing the sport.

Just like you at this forum.

[FAlonso]

Just like you at this forum.

This.

[Toyoda]

Longer this drags the more likely it will be Citroen

[EightGear]

It's ridiculous Hanninen's seat is so safe still. Without VW's withdrawal I could understand he would get a chance, but the risk of Mikkelsen not having a seat while Hanninen gets a full time drive is wrong.

The above applies maybe even more to Camilli.

[Allez Andruet]

It's ridiculous Hanninen's seat is so safe still. Without VW's withdrawal I could understand he would get a chance, but the risk of Mikkelsen not having a seat while Hanninen gets a full time drive is wrong.

The above applies maybe even more to Camilli.

But it's never been a question of right and wrong. When unfortunate things such as the VW withdrawal happen (in November!), it's quite obvious there will not be perfect seats available for all three. It would have been just as much "wrong", if all signed contracts suddenly became invalidated at the moment VW decided to pull the plug.

[macebig]

Calm down,guys.When a team retires abruptly those things happen.Remember Solberg and Subaru in late 2008 or Auriol and Kankkunen when Toyota was DQ from 1996.Mikkelsen needs to keep his focus and try to find even a R5 drive and continue his progress.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What is Mikkelsen's situation regarding funding/sponsors.. could he bring anything to get himself into a team ?

Also, is he a real second choice for M-Sport (if Ogier declines), or is Tanak safe as their no. 1 ?

[Duvel]

Completely agree, in 2017 there are only 2 drivers that can challenge Ogier: Mikkelsen and Neuville. There are many other good drivers now, much more than 5 years ago but they are all at least 1 level below Ogier. Even Mikkelsen and Neuville need favourable circumstances to stand a chance, if everything is equal Ogier will beat them.

Also before people make the argument about Mikkelsen having the best car for a few years: he's been a close 3rd two times against JML and Neuville. He has grown above JML lately and he's about equal with Neuville. The only one clearly better, shoulders above the rest, is Ogier. Unless Meeke gets a clearly superior DS3 next year no on else can win the title in 2017 except Ogier, Mikkelsen or Neuville.

Moving on... about this silly season, it seems Ogier will make his decision soon. But even after that there are many things yet unknown. The first important point is the manufacturer registration for 2017 which i think is in december sometime. There we will find out if Ford decides to back MSport and if there will be any kind of VW team.

Agree whit you 100%
There are some other drivers in WRC how have the pace, but not on all rally's (Paddon, Tanak, JML,..).
Also completly agree whit you on Meeke, if the car is bether than al the rest mayby, but if not i'm afraid he'l be pushing very, probaly to much, we al know what happens than.