Hyundai WRT

[er88]

Take it with a huge pinch of salt as this is from Colin Clark's kitchen table and is just rumours, but he says there's been whispers that Hyundai need to land a title this year or they'll pull the plug on the WRC.

Seems a bit extreme, but maybe Hyundai finally want something for their efforts and expenditure. Clark saying that if the pressure is that big (or near enough), he wouldn't be surprised to see Loeb get more gravel rallies after his performance in Chile, and Mikkelsen's terrible one. Adamo isn't going to shy away from big decisions

[Katvala]

Of course they are very eager to win, especially after all this time and coming close many times.
And I wouldn't be surprised at all for Mikkelsen to get less rallies. He's been delivering way below expectations. In 17/18 he was talking about that he wanted to fight for the title, and that he was targeting it in 18 (in Norwegian media). But his results are way off. I thought maybe second in Argentina would be a turning point, but Chile wasn't exactly a good one.

He's not finding his comfort in the car, perhaps his last chance is to aim for a seat in a different team

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[Fast Eddie WRC]

Take it with a huge pinch of salt as this is from Colin Clark's kitchen table and is just rumours, but he says there's been whispers that Hyundai need to land a title this year or they'll pull the plug on the WRC.

Seems a bit extreme, but maybe Hyundai finally want something for their efforts and expenditure. Clark saying that if the pressure is that big (or near enough), he wouldn't be surprised to see Loeb get more gravel rallies after his performance in Chile, and Mikkelsen's terrible one. Adamo isn't going to shy away from big decisions

They have gotten serious this season with Adamo taking charge and also signing Seb Loeb. If they do fail again it would be hard to see what more they could do in the future assuming Tanak and Ogier arent available.

[denkimi]

They have gotten serious this season with Adamo taking charge and also signing Seb Loeb. If they do fail again it would be hard to see what more they could do in the future assuming Tanak and Ogier arent available.

well it's their own fault for being arrogant and not signing ogier when he was available. they would have won 2 drivers and 2 constructors championships, and they would almost certain win the constructors again this year and have a 2/3 chance on the drivers title.

[mknight]

Nandan signed Loeb not Adamo. Following his belief that when multiple drivers struggle trough 2017-2018 (Sordo, Paddon, Mikkelsen), it's best to get yet another driver.

CC also said that Loeb can now fight for win in any rally. That's extremely bold claim when he did ok in Monte and very good in Chile but had weak Sweden and terrible Corsica.

Therefore I very much doubt they would put him instead of Mikkelsen on rallies where Mikkelsen had good pace last year. That's all remaining gravel rallies except Finland. But for Finland it looks set for Mikkelsen and likely Hutunen, based on the starts in the other rallies for the 3 of them.

Much more likely that Loeb drives beside Mikkelsen and Neuville on some rallies that Paddon did last year and Sordo is not good at. GB clear candidate.

Tarmac rallies are much more unsure for both Mikkelsen and Loeb though.
As I wrote before the changes for Corsica were actually done because Loeb underperformed (relative to expectations) in Monte and Sweden. Sordo was taken in to secure some sure points as Loeb was uncertain (and you have to let Loeb run his first normal tarmac rally) .
Looking at results it clearly was a good choice.
So now for Germany Adamo has a choice between unsure Mikkelsen (based on dry tarmac last year), unsure Loeb (based on Corsica) and unsure Sordo (crashing out in Germany last two years). Not easy pick, but looks like Loeb is in based on doing the two tarmac rallies. For Spain it looks more clear with Sordo-Loeb likely if Loeb wants.

The rumor about needing some title is possible. Good that all 3 Hyundai drivers (without Neuville) score better manu points than both Toyota 2/3rd drivers.

[steve.mandzij]

Nandan signed Loeb not Adamo. Following his belief that when multiple drivers struggle trough 2017-2018 (Sordo, Paddon, Mikkelsen), it's best to get yet another driver.

CC also said that Loeb can now fight for win in any rally. That's extremely bold claim when he did ok in Monte and very good in Chile but had weak Sweden and terrible Corsica.

Therefore I very much doubt they would put him instead of Mikkelsen on rallies where Mikkelsen had good pace last year. That's all remaining gravel rallies except Finland. But for Finland it looks set for Mikkelsen and likely Hutunen, based on the starts in the other rallies for the 3 of them.

Much more likely that Loeb drives beside Mikkelsen and Neuville on some rallies that Paddon did last year and Sordo is not good at. GB clear candidate.

Tarmac rallies are much more unsure for both Mikkelsen and Loeb though.
As I wrote before the changes for Corsica were actually done because Loeb underperformed (relative to expectations) in Monte and Sweden. Sordo was taken in to secure some sure points as Loeb was uncertain (and you have to let Loeb run his first normal tarmac rally) .
Looking at results it clearly was a good choice.
So now for Germany Adamo has a choice between unsure Mikkelsen (based on dry tarmac last year), unsure Loeb (based on Corsica) and unsure Sordo (crashing out in Germany last two years). Not easy pick, but looks like Loeb is in based on doing the two tarmac rallies. For Spain it looks more clear with Sordo-Loeb likely if Loeb wants.

The rumor about needing some title is possible. Good that all 3 Hyundai drivers (without Neuville) score better manu points than both Toyota 2/3rd drivers.

I wouldn't be so quick to write off Loeb for more rally wins. During Chile he was very, very quick and claimed to have finally clicked with the car, a statement that from Loeb is extremely ominous.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Interesing read from Nicolas Gilsoul on Rally Chile, the crash and testing for Portugal:

https://nicolasgilsoul.be/debriefing-chili/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

well it's their own fault for being arrogant and not signing ogier when he was available. they would have won 2 drivers and 2 constructors championships, and they would almost certain win the constructors again this year and have a 2/3 chance on the drivers title.

I dont know how you work that out. Loeb had/is retired from full-time rallying, didnt want to do full seasons anymore and was happy doing WRX.

[USER47]

Plus I don't think it would be very good for a team dynamic to have Ogier and Neuville in the same team. They are clearly both good enough to be leading drivers, and they know that. None of them would be content with playing a team game if it came to it.

[Allez Andruet]

Just unleash Huttunen and there's nothing to worry about.