RACC Rally Catalunya 2018

[T16]

If she really wanted him I think she could make him an offer he couldn't refuse already in 2017 (even at the expense of kicking Matton).
Or maybe it took her another year (and 2nd places in Sweden and Finland) to realize they needed a different top driver.

Sorry mate.. sounds like a load of crap to me.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Well, he isn't exactly slow driver. Kajto is slow with same tyres.

I was impressed with Solans' times on gravel yesterday (not due to Pirellis?). Any have info/opinions on him (aside from results, which I can check on eWRC) ?]

[mknight]

Sorry mate.. sounds like a load of crap to me.

Well Budar made it quite clear that kicking Meeke was not mainly his decision but was decided from the top, Linda Jackson is on top.

[T16]

Well Budar made it quite clear that kicking Meeke was not mainly his decision but was decided from the top, Linda Jackson is on top.

Even more confused now.

[jparker]

Surely not, it's pointless to trash one's own car and make your team look bad.

Exactly. Mikkelsen is in similar situation as Meeke in the past. Difference is that Meeke was very "outspoken".

[EstWRC]

Ott: “this year has happened so much that I’m already getting used to it “

[mknight]

Even more confused now.

Complete story from the talks around:
1. Ogier got an offer from Citroen after germany 2017 and Matton said he really wanted him
2. Supposedly the offer was not very high + no big commitment announced from manufacturer + Linda Jackson said in some interview that their focus was maximum PR for a given amount of money.
3. Ogier refused the offer, in his interview this year he says it was also about the team leadership (and manu commitment) and that he always had good relations with engineers. I read this as him saying he does not have best relations with Matton (which is perfectly understandable)

If Linda Jackson really wanted Ogier so much then she could have done any of the following:
a) put in more money in his salary
b) promise more resources for the team/development
c) kick Matton (this kind of happened, but seemingly a bit later)

=> Does not look like she really wanted him at that point


This year:
4. Meeke got kicked, in Budar's words as a "joint" decision with the leadership. (sounded very much like they forced him to do it)
5. Ogier joins and Linda Jackson gives massive praise to how important is it to have Ogier and good atmosphere in team in an interview just 50 mins ago.
=> Either Linda is just doing PR and it was mainly Budar's pressure that got Ogier (my opinion) or she changed her mind at some point.

[Lead]

Exactly. Mikkelsen is in similar situation as Meeke in the past. Difference is that Meeke was very "outspoken".

Probably true, but for how long this will continue? There have been already a lot of rallies, tests etc and its just getting in opposite direction.
And what about Sordo's car? There seems is no problem from him to put up good stage times and car is working well.

[wrc2017]

Well Budar made it quite clear that kicking Meeke was not mainly his decision but was decided from the top, Linda Jackson is on top.

wrong

[jparker]

Do you think canceling stage because of crowds is right?
Punishing so many spectators because of some misbehaving individuals or groups is not right.
Don't they have police in Spain? Army?
Organizers should be prepared for those kind of situations.
Yes, it cost money, but if they can't pay, better close the stage for public in advance.