Quote Originally Posted by AnttiL View Post
Some thoughts on the drivers' performances

I knew Loeb could still do something, but I was still blown away by his pace that could have been enough for a rally win. Also, I was expecting Ogier to be good in these conditions. Also, it was easy to expect Meeke to be fast but prone for errors. One of those spins or his half-roll could have ended worse with less luck.

Evans was disappointing again, although his shakedown pace was promising, especially on the first runs. I'm also disappointed in Suninen's performance, he didn't really get even good stage times down (only 4th in Alfaro where Meeke rolled and many were in tyre save mode). Same goes for Lappi. Also disappointing for the Toyotas to overheat again, although Neuville's fuel pressure problem on a super special was reminiscent of last year's failures.

Mikkelsen was also a bit disappointing, but he was lucky to survive his small off. Sordo did also a good rally, although I knew he could do well in this rally especially with that starting position.
For once I can't agree with you on multiple points.

Loeb was surprising yes and hats off to him, but I won't say he had rally winning performance. Saturday morning he was clearly slower than Ogier and about same speed as Meeke. And it was at this point under pressure that he got puncture. Friday he was behind Sordo with same starting position.

This was first time since Portugal last year that Ogier actually had dominating rally winning performance on gravel. (and in Portugal Tanak seemed as fast or faster).
Meeke imo showed again what he lacks for WDC, consistency under pressure. 3 or 4? spins, at least 3 times very wide (2 times on the Saturday SS with his carpark) and completely unnecessary off on sunday causing him to also loose PS chances.

Sordo typical good rally for him, fast and all but not enough to charge for win.

Evans actually had quite good performance over the few stages he ran. Way too few for any judgment though.

Sunninen and Lappi were pretty much invisible whole rally yes. Mikkelsen was very disappointing, only performance on "expected" level was Friday afternoon. Don't agree on the severity of the off though, it was one wide corner with some small panel dmg. Discounting Meeke both Neuville and Ogier had at least 2 such moments.

Hard to judge Toyota's much with the issues, but would say Latvala was again consistently behind Tanak in speed.