[WRC] News & Rumours (part V) 2017

[Jinu13]

Mostly due to the 2018 situation. Mikkelsen probably wouldn't want to drive for them if it reduces his chances for full drive at Citroen in 2018+ something Hyundai probably don't offer. Citroen might even set conditions that they won't allow him to drive Hyundai if he wants to drive for them next year. Then again Mikkelsen might not want to sign Citroen without more rallies in the car this year (I doubt that seeing how low-budget M-Sport looks more and more likely).

M-Sport are so low budget the mechanics etc were slumming it with me on Flybe on the way back to Manchester. No business class for them whilst they're paying Ogier's salary.

[AnttiL]

Wouldn't that basically require Ogier to do at least one 0 points event and one quite bad event and Ott to win both those for him to have even a chance? There's a 33 point gap as it stands.

Or possibly 25+5 for PS and a 0+0 for Ogier (and Neuville).

Seems unlikely, but mathematically it is possible.

Yeah, if we assume Ogier has a 0 result in Spain, Tänak wins and Neuville is second, it's a whole new situation, with two rallies to go. It would make Neuville 178, Ogier 177 and Tänak 169, plus whatever they would scrape out of the power stage. But of course it's not very likely to happen.

One has to feel sorry for Latvala too. He has had the best season ever and the car has been the thing that let him down.

Yeah, he could have made it to the podium in all three latest rallies (except maybe the puncture in Germany would have ruined it) and would be up there in the title fight as well.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier and Neuville have both had a nil score recently so it can happen.

Tanak's chances are slim but its not impossible.

[AnttiL]

Ogier and Neuville have both had a nil score recently so it can happen.

Yeah, actually Tänak got one in Poland, then Ogier in Finland, then Neuville in Germany.

[focus206]

Ogier and Neuville have both had a nil score recently so it can happen.

Tanak's chances are slim but its not impossible.

If Ogier has a DNF, then Neuville and Tanak have a chance, as long as they have 3 great rallies. Even if Ogier does not retire in any rally, Neuville could count on the fact that he has to open the road in all 3 of them and try to take advantage to chip away points, 17 points are a lot though.

[AnttiL]

If Ogier has a DNF, then Neuville and Tanak have a chance, as long as they have 3 great rallies. Even if Ogier does not retire in any rally, Neuville could count on the fact that he has to open the road in all 3 of them and try to take advantage to chip away points, 17 points are a lot though.

Plus no one else than Ogier has even led Rally GB in the last four years...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wonder if Tanak's words are for Mr Wilson's benefit...

[rhm]

M-Sport are so low budget the mechanics etc were slumming it with me on Flybe on the way back to Manchester. No business class for them whilst they're paying Ogier's salary.

Didn't think the mechanics ever flew business class. I think Peugeot used to fly mechanics business back in the 206 days but then they also had three Michelin-star chefs doing the catering.

[tommeke_B]

M-Sport are so low budget the mechanics etc were slumming it with me on Flybe on the way back to Manchester. No business class for them whilst they're paying Ogier's salary.

"So low budget"? Come on, I think it's more about spending the available budget in a smarter way. Business class is overrated anyway, especially for European flights that take only a couple of hours. You wait on the same place for the plane, if a bus takes you to the plane, you're on the same bus. All you have is some extra leg space, and free food/drink once on the plane. I doubt it's worth another 400-500 euros/person/rally, especially when you have to multiply it by 100. Same goes for the hotel rooms, where VW had one person/room while in other teams members had to share a room.

[mknight]

Wasn't it just meant as irony?
Which sane person flies Germany-GB in business class?