2022 WRC News & Rumours

[Eli]

Well there is no real info or anything to back up in the article. Just writing about something to fill up time....

They could at least try with some proper questions (like they did a few times to Millener).
Questions like:

- Does Wilson want to pay Loeb (more) for those extra starts? (one would think so, but rumors had it that RedBull is paying his starts this year)

- Do they want to increase Loeb's starts at expense of Breen?


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Breen's goal this year was to bring some podiums or even wins to show the speed of the car, both to sponsors/partners and customers. (Millener basically said this directly). Loebs performance was uncertain after Hyundai so it was a lot about PR.

Breen didn't deliver, but Loeb showed the speed=> "kick" Breen and keep/get Loeb and paydrivers in all other cars would sound like typical MSport approach.

Yes they literally took the interview they had with Malcolm before ypres which they posted in youtube by the way.

[lmmjvss]

Dirtfish does this thing, eh? They get a week (or two) ago interview and split to repost the same thing, with a "click bait" title (not in a bad way, cuz this is sport, not politics). Haha anyway...

[Eli]

Yes this isn't the first time they've done this.

[WRCStan]

Looking through the 2022 WRC Factbook. Slightly interesting that Great Britain and Italy have dropped out of the top 10 media markets whilst Croatia and Greece join. This doesn't include WRC+ but does the live stream on eg. BT Sport. Highest audience was Japan - 74m viewers in 2021.

The top 10 WRC+ markets from 2021 are now listed as 'some of the top markets', list remains the same: USA, GB, France, Finland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Estonia. No Japan, yet Japanese commentary.

[AnttiL]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/mikke...or-wrc-offers/

Mikkelsen has no commitments after Acropolis, so...

[TypeR]

Finally teams can fight to get him in rally1..

[rallyfiend]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/mikke...or-wrc-offers/

Mikkelsen has no commitments after Acropolis, so...

I can't imagine they've lost his phone number, so I'm sure it's not ringing for a reason....

[Lead]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/mikke...or-wrc-offers/

Mikkelsen has no commitments after Acropolis, so...

He seems pretty much unliked for whatever reasons. Maybe too arrogant personality at times? Dont know.
One thing is for sure - his results dont lie in WRC2 last two years - he has been the best. Combines speed and stability. Not sure if he could bring the same speed to Rally1 car, but if I were Msport boss, I would gave him a chance. It cant get worse for them as it is. Maybe Mikkelsen can show some surprises and give Msport a needed boost.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Only one of the elite drivers can make a real difference to M-Sport - one that can guarantee results and take the pressure off Breen.

But the money simply isn't there to pay the salary they require or to develop the car in the way Toyota and Hyundai can.

[flat_right]

If I would be M-Sport, I would at least give him one outing this year to see his speed with Rally1 car. We can debate if Mikkelsen has what it takes to win rallies but one thing is sure, he is one of the best finishers meaning he rarely makes mistakes. It slightly got worse when he drove with Hyundai but overall, he is a very solid driver (kind of like Sordo). So if he can do similar times like Breen (100% he will be faster than Greensmith, Loubet and Fourmaux) but also can finish, then it would be very useful for M-Sport and would give at least something back to the team.