Quote Originally Posted by er88 View Post
With the massive ruts, some of the advantage of any leftover cleaning Lukyanuk got, will have been negated a bit in other stages that cut up badly.
Friday stages didn't get rutted up. Saturday is something else. Mikkelsen never tried to chase Lukyanuk on Saturday for very good reasons.

I find it totally funny when Poland and Liepaja shows how road cleaning works for Rally2 cars on these stages, drivers are all vocal about it and then suddenly in Estonia it doesn't matter, because forum experts know better.



...just simply winning WRC2 "class" isn't going to get him employed by a WRC team again if he is slogging it out with younger up-and-coming drivers, who are far from their peak. When Lappi has stepped back he has shown a better level

In Portugal Lappi was at same time as Suninen and 2s ahead of Gryazin after Friday. (Slogging it out with up and coming drivers?) That's after Østberg already got a puncture. Gryazin then got engine issues first stage in the morning. Suninen got a puncture while 16s behind.
Somehow I don't see how that is clearly better level.

You say Mikkelsen has not shown any domination in 2021, seems you must have forgotten Monte or winning 4 out of 4 powerstages, including also over Lappi.


... That's why he gets criticised, and because of his seemingly arrogant comments.
After dominating 2/3 starts in 2020 and not getting a WRC drive for 2021 (only place was MSport) he said his aim was to dominate every rally.
That's the only single "arrogant" comment. ("aim", not that he will do it)
What would you suggest his aim for this year should have been in Rally2? Participate and see how it goes? Obviously not.

Clearly when you get a zero score in WRC2 and are paid by the team to win WRC2 the aims might get in conflict.