Silly Season 2020

[mknight]

Few toughts on Mikkelsen vs Evans topic.

Mikkelsen - for me it seems (and it clearly assumption not any fact-based knowledge) that he is lacking master-mind for how to setup car for his style. If setup accidentally (copied from others?) suits him, he is fast, we have seen that. But with those skills you can be in the team no 2 or 3, not have responsibility on no 1 driver.

Evans with mechanic skill in this term is more valuable (does not have limits on that area) in my opinion.

This is hard to tell from the outside though.

At Hyundai in 2018, Mikkelsen was supposedly not listened to/allowed to make changes. This year the upgrades for Finland were told to be his work and he was fastest Hyundai matching their best ever result there. On tarmac Loeb is struggling with same issues as Mikkelsen.
What is true is that Mikkelsen has had rallies where he struggled and complained about setup.

With Evans it's really hard to tell, cause as he said he only drove Fiesta (with Ogier in team). Don't think it changed much from last year to this.

So I agree that this kind of reasoing can play a role, but again it's not a clear cut.

IMO Toyotas best choice for next year is to get both, ditch one of Latvala/Meeke and put kalle in 4th car.

[meh]

What is true is that Mikkelsen has had rallies where he struggled and complained about setup.

"I still learning the car" through many-many rallies is the main reason from my side to assume he struggles with setup. Maybe it's really not possible to setup Hyundai if it's built around Neuville and you are not listened. We probably will get some more feedback when Tänak goes there. As Loeb also struggles, it hints a bit to general Hyundai problem also.

With Evans it's really hard to tell, cause as he said he only drove Fiesta (with Ogier in team).

I don't think Ogier played important role for Evans's technical skills. It was Evans supporting and giving instructions when Ogier repaired car on road side (can not recall the rally).

... you NEED to have mechanic skill if you go to Toyota ...