2018 Teams

[AnttiL]

If we assume three car teams, we have four paths to speculate now. Ford will either return or Ogier goes to Citroen, and Tänak can go to Toyota or stay at Ford/M-Sport.

1. Ford team returns
I don't see any changes happening to the current seats, except that Toyota may want to exchange Hänninen for Suninen. But it would be a risk with having two rather inexperienced drivers in the same team.

2. Ford team returns, but Tänak still goes to Toyota
This way, I would replace Tänak with Suninen, and Hänninen is left without a seat.

3. No Ford return, Tänak stays, Ogier goes to Citroen
Lefebvre is put aside to drive the C3 R5, Suninen sits in the DMack car with Evans and Tänak in the M-Sport cars. Hänninen gets to stay at Toyota.

4. No Ford return, Tänak goes to Toyota and Ogier goes to Citroen
Same as scenario 3, but Hänninen is now dropped for Tänak. M-Sport has one available seat, I'd assume Wilson puts Camilli there (he could also prefer Camilli to Suninen in scenarios 2-3). Or could this be Tidemand's chance? His manager didn't like the idea of having to pay for a drive...

Also in all above scenarios, Al-Qassimi and Loeb could drive Citroen here and there. And also I don't see any changes at the Hyundai camp, Paddon and Sordo would have to share the third car.

And I'd put my money on scenario 4...