2023 WRC News & Rumours

[PLuto]

he knows better than anyone in M-sport what they need in theire Rally2 car

This is very easy - they need to do ANY development...

[EstWRC]

Latvala confirming that Greensmith has been in contact

https://www-rallit-fi.translate.goog..._x_tr_pto=wapp

[mknight]

Dirtfish says it is unlikely:

"He has had discussions with Toyota about driving a customer Yaris GR Rally1 car this year, but DirtFish understands it’s looking increasingly unlikely that switch will come to fruition."

I find it unlikely Greensmith will sit at home whole year, dont think they ran out of cash.

Next one in the seemingly endless line of new Fabia drivers?

[seb_sh]

The most amazing thing is DF put all that info into 1 article. They could have easily made 5 or 6 articles out of it. (Loeb, Serderidis, Greensmith etc)

[abcrally]

Dirtfish says it is unlikely:

"He has had discussions with Toyota about driving a customer Yaris GR Rally1 car this year, but DirtFish understands it’s looking increasingly unlikely that switch will come to fruition."

I find it unlikely Greensmith will sit at home whole year, dont think they ran out of cash.

Next one in the seemingly endless line of new Fabia drivers?

We might get some news on this rather sooner than later.

[TypeR]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc...-m-sport-ford/

An announcement from the British squad confirmed it could not reach an agreement with Greensmith to enable him to continue behind the wheel of one of its Puma cars, meaning both parties will go their separate ways in 2023.

[Lead]

Now give Mikkelsen a Puma in Monte-Carlo and Sweden to see if he has something left. He would be great back up for Tanak.

[abcrally]

Now give Mikkelsen a Puma in Monte-Carlo and Sweden to see if he has something left. He would be great back up for Tanak.

They won't give a Puma for free and Mikkelsen don't want to pay for the drive so..

What I heard Skoda has cut their budget and there won't be as good deal for Mikkelsen as it used to be.

[Andre Oliveira]

How many times people have to read that “3 Puma at MC, Tänak, Loubet and Serderidis.” to stop dreaming?

[Danny0405]

They won't give a Puma for free and Mikkelsen don't want to pay for the drive so..

What I heard Skoda has cut their budget and there won't be as good deal for Mikkelsen as it used to be.

Clearly think it’s a mistake this time from Mikkelsen not to study the option of finding backing for 5-6 rounds in the 3rd M-Sport.
In 2020, I understand his position (recently fired, Covid, 2017 experience where he found quickly a job...) all the more than M-Sport had Lappi and Suninen.
In 2021, he was right not to pay when we know M-Sport would completely cut costs in the last year of the regulation.

But, here, if he does not move, his career at top level is as good as dead and he can anticipate his future by looking at Ostberg (nothing infamous about it, just that Ostberg knows he’s over for top level). This silly season has shown the teams prioritize over all the knowledge of Rally1 car: Breen has obtained the job against Mikkelsen like this in spite of a bad season and Toyota decides to promote Katsuta in spite of a bit lack of progress in peak performance (even if he is very regular).

Already 3 years outside of the top level (no driver except Loeb succeeds to come back efficiently after a big stint out of top level), no knowledge of Rally1 car at all (so not a competitive advantage against some youngsters), Skoda having already its plans for the season and not keen on doing him a big offer like in the past ... if he doesn’t try now, it’s over.
Then, if he failed to find the backing, it’s over ... but he would have tried at least.
Well, maybe he is hoping Sordo to become too old or Breen to stay in his 2022 mood or Tanak to leave M-Sport as soon as the end of the season but it’s a very passive view of it IMO.