[WRC] News & Rumours (part V) 2017

**mknight** · 3rd July 2017, 23:40

Well FIA kinda tried with the WRC trophy and 2017 were supposed to be "factory only". But that would ruin the whole M-Sport business model, so they found a way around it.... and that in turn ruined the WRC trophy idea. Which was likely wrong from the start as teams are more likely to pick "aspiring" drivers from WRC2.

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 3rd July 2017, 23:41

Originally Posted by spiderem

not sure if it's the correct thread but i wonder why Tanak is not backed up by Red Bull like 90% of the field (or almost)? they seem to sponsor lot less talented drivers now...

Good question... maybe EstWRC has some idea ?

I'm not sure who his sponsors are and he doesnt have his own website.

**Mirek** · 3rd July 2017, 23:45

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

I do have sympathy with the Prokop/ Østberg team, but it was their choice to try to run with the big boys with a '17- spec car.

The ex-works 2016 cars were meant to be used by any privateers (hence getting their own Trophy) but they chose to try to run the latest car and finance was bound to be a much bigger issue..

Actually the interview isn't that negative like it may look from USER47's description. He said he was rather satisfied with the performance of Mads for example.

**mknight** · 3rd July 2017, 23:48

Originally Posted by Mirek

Actually the interview isn't that negative like it may look from USER47's description. He said he was rather satisfied with the performance of Mads for example.

He says Mads is fast enough for top 3..... ok

**nafpaktos** · 3rd July 2017, 23:49

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

I do have sympathy with the Prokop/ Østberg team, but it was their choice to try to run with the big boys with a '17- spec car.

The ex-works 2016 cars were meant to be used by any privateers (hence getting their own Trophy) but they chose to try to run the latest car and finance was bound to be a much bigger issue..

Although i dont think mads is something special as a driver i think he is good enough to drive a 2017 wrc and good for us.We have seen some really spectacular drive from him this year.

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 3rd July 2017, 23:49

Originally Posted by mknight

Well FIA kinda tried with the WRC trophy and 2017 were supposed to be "factory only". But that would ruin the whole M-Sport business model, so they found a way around it.... and that in turn ruined the WRC trophy idea. Which was likely wrong from the start as teams are more likely to pick "aspiring" drivers from WRC2.

I dont think the M-Sport model was to sell 2017 cars but rather to run them for any wealthy privateers.

For some reason Jipocar wanted to do the whole thing themselves and now they are finding the drawbacks of doing so...

**dimviii** · 3rd July 2017, 23:55

Originally Posted by nafpaktos

Although i dont think mads is something special as a driver i think he is good enough to drive a 2017 wrc and good for us.We have seen some really spectacular drive from him this year.

Mads always was/is spectacular.

**EstWRC** · 4th July 2017, 07:13

Originally Posted by spiderem

not sure if it's the correct thread but i wonder why Tanak is not backed up by Red Bull like 90% of the field (or almost)? they seem to sponsor lot less talented drivers now...

You are asking it at the right time. As we know Red Bull gives you wings and if they start backing Tänak then his wings won't fall off the car

**AnttiL** · 4th July 2017, 07:13

Originally Posted by mknight

He says Mads is fast enough for top 3..... ok

He was second in Argentina after the first day. Then Neuville and Tänak passed him by driving and then he broke the rear suspension. In Sardegne he was also third for a couple of stages on friday but was again passed by Neuville, Tänak and Latvala by pure driving. Then he had a puncture on saturday and dropped further. But if you read his interviews, he says he lost top 3 positions because of misfortunes...