[WRC] 91e Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo (16-22 January 2023)

[Norm75]

Sordo who has done this rally now for the 12th time is slower than Lappi today, okay he had some issues this stage but even without it he’s slower, I’m sorry but it’s time for him to retire and let someone else drive the car.

A little harsh, I think. Breen was on commentary yesterday said it is a rally that sordo doesn’t like. It might well have suited Breen better to drive this rally but Sordo was signed before Breen at Hyundai and was probably seen as a safe pair of hands given the fact he has driven this car last season. First rally of the season, reserve judgement for the rallies that he likes and usually does well at.

[Eli]

A little harsh, I think. Breen was on commentary yesterday said it is a rally that sordo doesn’t like. It might well have suited Breen better to drive this rally but Sordo was signed before Breen at Hyundai and was probably seen as a safe pair of hands given the fact he has driven this car last season. First rally of the season, reserve judgement for the rallies that he likes and usually does well at.

I’m aware, but this isn’t his first rodeo, let alone in this car or on tarmac for that matter. Sure, he hasn’t done Monte last year, however unlike last year, this year we’re in completely dry conditions, not something Sordo hasn’t experienced before. You’d think that with so much mileage under his belt he would at least be quicker than Katsuta (or match him). True he hasn’t had much time to test before the event, but that applies now to everyone, & this isn’t last year where the entire Hyundai team barely made it to the event. Again, I’m not expecting him to battle for the podium but a top 5/6 result doesn’t seem to be asking too much from him and if it is, then perhaps it’s time for them to consider a (permanent) replacement for him, unless they’re gonna throw in the towel next year.

[AndrewTate]

Ingram didn't do ANY rally since Greece last season and not even any testing, just a PET for Monte. Others here with good backing do many kms of testing and/or other events in local championships.

The Fabia Evo is good but the others are better now and especially the new Fabia RS and the C3 on French tarmac in the hands of Lefebvre, Rossel.

For now he has not proven to be a prodigy at any point. The btching at every stage end while not performing raises no sympathy.

There is many other drivers, much of them who have shown more potential who have no budget.

The only way to get some support and sponsorship in this hard game is to show raw pace and stability if you want to thrive.

[dimviii]

Cais
https://twitter.com/MundoRallyes/sta...64511528411138

nice photo

[dimviii]

Kalle ss 11 from different cameras
https://twitter.com/MundoRallyes/sta...78626137227271

https://twitter.com/MundoRallyes/sta...76178928803842

[EstWRC]

Passats de Canto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvqhkQ8Xles

Video2rallye83 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb7dllcW0ok

[EstWRC]

Couple of more good vids, first one including Solberg and zero car moment https://youtu.be/xg6a07HWMJA

https://youtu.be/FbDAB49W-8s

[EstWRC]

Tänak in a good mood and overall still a positive day

Wouldn’t want to be Chris Williams. I guess that Tänak has a book load of stuff what to do

https://twitter.com/otttanak/status/...8O9Mdl66WPG7IQ

[EstWRC]

M-Sport team principal Richard Millener isn’t worried by power steering issues that have hampered the team’s two full-time entries at the World Rally Championship opener in Monte Carlo.

“It is not a surprise where they are but the good thing is I don’t think it is unachievable to get closer again. We shouldn’t make assumptions on two days of rallying in 2023. There is no denying it is not going to be easy but that is the challenge we take on.

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/m...ener/10423356/

[sinepikohv]

New Skoda certainly looks very good, not just one driver setting fast times.
The Ford must be very disheartening, it doesn’t even look bad, it’s just slow….
I agree on Lopez, good effort.

I thought that giving Fourmaux the chance to show that the Fiesta is good was a good decision for both parties: Adrien could gain confidence and M-Sport have a capable driver to promote the Fiesta. No, he won't be as quick as the likes of Gryazin, Lindholm and Suninen, but a battle with the rest seemed plausible. Well, even when Fourmaux pushed like hell he was significantly slower than the best Rally2 guys, there's no battle with Lopez, Rossel or Lefebvre.

That just means one thing: M-Sport's core business is in a bad state (that's one of the reason why I think we see RB throwing more money at M-Sport. The company is having troubles and without RB's support their Rally1 program would collapse or be on the cusp of it). Why would anyone want to buy a Fiesta when there's Hyundai and Škoda? I've heard plenty of people complaining about M-Sport's customer service as well: the cars are not getting the promised upgrades at scheduled times, it's been hard to get your hands on spare parts etc.

Yes, I know, Malcolm and Millener talk at the start of every season how it's so hard to find the budget for Rally1. But I don't remember the business side of M-Sport to be as bad as it is in the previous years. Perhaps someone can prove me wrong, I sincerely hope that!