[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[racerx1979]

Very likely a Yaris due to his close connections with a few high ups at TGR. I can see it as a test for different reasons. Suninen to TGR and Rovanpera to MSport?

Or it could be a test with Hyundai .

Let the silly season begin!!

[mknight]

I don't think Suninen at Toyota would keep Kalle from driving selected rounds there. If both Latvala and Meeke leave they both could drive full season as well.

[Fredouye]

Craig Breen could get further WRC outings with Hyundai : https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...s-with-hyundai

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Craig Breen could get further WRC outings with Hyundai : https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...s-with-hyundai

Great news.

And Adamo sounds like he's reaching the end of his patience with Mikkelsen !

[AnttiL]

"In Sardinia he was talking about [Ott] Tanak. I said: 'Fucking hell! He has to go to pee just like you! What do you want me to say? Toyota is faster, OK so now we pack up and we go home?'

"No. We have to fight and we will fucking fight."

[skarderud]

Great news.

And Adamo sounds like he's reaching the end of his patience with Mikkelsen !

Then its probably done deal with Mikkelsen for next season, M-sport?

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[mknight]

1) The part about GB and Turkey is no real news. It's basically logical thinking just like everyone does here. We have been discussing they need another driver instead of Sordo on the 3 rallies for last 2 months or so. But Paddon looked like the most likely candidate.

Sordo didn't drive any of those rallies last year and has always been terrible in GB, Breen had his second best results with 4th there last year. So that's pretty much 100% sure pick. Turkey is a bit more uncertain but as mentioned Sordo didn't start there last year. (Mikkelsen led by 40s ahead of Tanak when dif/driveshaft broke due to mechanics making a mistake in service). In a way Australia could be seem even more likely for Breen since Sordo didn't start there last 2 years (so never with 2017 cars), but his results weren't too bad there before.


2) The part about Mikkelsen seems a bit out of place in the article as in none of the 3 gravel rallies Mikkelsen is likely to be benched, that is much more likely in Spain and/or Germany. Which also the reference to Corsica suggests. Note that both time Mikkelsen was benched Loeb got 0 manu points, had poor pace and managed to crash as well (I'd argue Sordo replaced Mikkelsen in Corsica though, not Loeb).

Anyway Mikkelsen would not want to drive at Hyundai if they will only offer part-season. Breen will easily accept full season, question is how good he really is in other car than C3. Evans is still more likely imo but he certainly won't accept part-season deal.

[Allez Andruet]

Then its probably done deal with Mikkelsen for next season, M-sport?

I'm doubtful that M-Sport would run Mikkelsen for free. And equally doubtful that EVEN is willing to pay them for a drive.

[mknight]

I'm doubtful that M-Sport would run Mikkelsen for free. And equally doubtful that EVEN is willing to pay them for a drive.

Evans supposedly gets paid. If he leaves and they don't get Tanak they will be interested in at least one "top" driver (previous winner) that they will pay something. It could be Latvala, Mikkelsen or Meeke. IMO in about that order of probability.

Might be that even Suninen leaves making it even more likely, or both Suninen and Evans leave and they put all money on Tanak.

[er88]

I'm doubtful that M-Sport would run Mikkelsen for free. And equally doubtful that EVEN is willing to pay them for a drive.

Mikkelsen could maybe find a bit of money through sponsorship. I believe his daddies money is no more though?

As for Msport paying, they were willing to run and pay Meeke this year so you never know. But it again depends on whether Malcolm was serious when he said he wanted a driver to challenge for the title or nothing - kind of hinting it's Tanak or nobody else for next year (or just paying drivers - Latvala/ Mikkelsen might be able to bring some money from somewhere).