Quote Originally Posted by Allez Andruet View Post
I haven't been too impressed with Suninen this year. It's understandable that he's more focusing on getting the experience than trying to always set the fastest time, but still. He didn't manage to post a single top five stage time in Mexico (not counting super specials) and got beat by R5 (Rovanperä) on PS. I'd definitely pick Östberg over Suninen for Argentina.
We must remember that Suninen didn't have any testing before Mexico, and it had been half a year since he drove that car on gravel, and the first time he ever drove on that kind of conditions. I believe he was just first trying to find his pace and settings, and when Evans retired he was told to finish to secure manufacturer points. That added pressure could also mess up with the rhythm, probably resulting in his offs on the Friday afternoon. Actually Suninen's best stage result (apart from that super special win) was SS20 where he was fourth, but then again, by that time the Rally2 guys were saving tyres and Meeke went off.

It's a dilemma of a driver needing to drive more rallies to get experience but not getting to do rallies because he has not enough experience.