TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT

[Simmi]

Watching the Toyota driver power struggle is one of the things I'm looking forward to the most next year.

I was very critical of Ott during what I think was a lacklustre 2015 campaign. But the last two years he's really been a joy to watch.

He comes into the year with so much momentum. I think Jari-Matti will naturally be looking over his shoulder. He's a fragile guy and there hasn't really been too much this year to rattle him. That could quickly change next year. Lappi too with the benefit of a year in the car should be much better. I admit I did expect a bit more of him this year. But he got a win which is massive when it comes to dealing with pressure, expectations etc.

If Latvala isn't absolutely on it he could end up being the third best driver in that team.

As for the car I think it was probably the 'least sorted' package coming into this season. They were definitely a bit lastminute.com on the development. Yet they still had at least one fastest stage time on I think 11/13 rounds this year. So I think coupled with their budget they have the chance to make by far the biggest step over the off-season - including fixing those reliability issues.

Hopefully the drivers will spur each other on and Tommi can manage the personalities well. Or he won't and it will be fun to watch. I'm excited to see how it plays out.

[Rallyper]

Hopefully the drivers will spur each other on and Tommi can manage the personalities well. Or he won't and it will be fun to watch. I'm excited to see how it plays out.

Was just going to say the same after started reading your quote:

Lot of pressure on Tommi to manage the guys to perform at all rounds. Like a football team manager.

[Tarmop]

Since mid-season basically every other week there is some info how Toyota is going to be so fast and beat everyone. Further reinforced when the new 2018 aero was shown.

If you look at it from completely opposite point of view Toyota was clearly race-winning fast only in Finland. (with unlimited testing right outside of team HQ). + you can add Sweden, but Neuville was quite a bit faster.

Since their (dominant) performance in Finland they have not managed a single podium for the rest of the season.


Sure they might turn out to be the fastest in 2018, but based on the 2017 results it's far from guaranteed.

Drivers and/or car technical issues mostly. Juho was stronger than expected in the second half, Latvala was also mostly somewhere near top 5 before retiring so minus aero collecting dirt in Wales, i`d give second half a solid 4.

[racerx1979]

Was just going to say the same after started reading your quote:

Lot of pressure on Tommi to manage the guys to perform at all rounds. Like a football team manager.

They chose Tanak because he's fast and also because he's a passive laid back guy. I actually think they will all get along just fine. Lappi knows his place well as the third driver. JML might run into issues if Tanak is fast out of the box and if he lets the mind games get to him as he did in his younger days then...

[pokey2014]

No offensive.... JML seems to talk too much... Not surprised if tanak would be quicker than him.

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[Rallyper]

No offensive.... JML seems to talk too much... Not surprised if tanak would be quicker than him.

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So if JML is less talking he´ll be faster?

[EstWRC]

[ESTR]

So if JML is less talking he´ll be faster?

Hahahah good one

[racerx1979]

No offensive.... JML seems to talk too much... Not surprised if tanak would be quicker than him.

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This is the exact reason why I and so many others enjoy listening to JML. He is very transparent.. similar to Gronholm.

Tanak on the other hand has a 80 letter or less comment rule like Twitter. Ironically I like them both.

[er88]

Yeah I like both too, despite Tanak not being the greatest to listen too. Seems like he's had too much media training and just gives stock answers, similar to Evans actually. Suppose that's what team bosses want a lot of the time though.

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