Kris Meeke

[er88]

I didn't expect it either, but it's a nice way to honour his mate Craig. In such difficult circumstances it's also nice for the Portuguese fans to see Kris back rallying, and it will help the Hyundai Portugal team keep going after such a tough time. I know they were real close to Craig.

[Norm75]

Looks like Kris will be running #77 and not Craig’s number.

It will be interesting to see what happens with 3rd wrc car. Kris was in the frame along with Mikkelsen and perhaps Sunninen before this season started. Guess it might be difficult for Mikkelsen given the fact he told Škoda he was signing with Hyundai this year but it didn’t happen, so they took him back.
Sunninen would be easier as he is already Hyundai driver but it wouldn’t surprise me if something else happens with Kris after this latest development.

[er88]

I reckon Sordo will maybe do one or 2 more events than planned. I would guess he will do the next 3, and definitely Chile. You're needing drivers for Estonia and Finland for sure, plus maybe Greece and one of the tarmac events (probably CER).

I would say Suninen or Meeke for the two fast gravel events, I can't remember Mikkelsen ever having much joy in Finland. I wonder if we might see Loeb in the car for Greece? He certainly won't do Estonia or Finland.

[mknight]

Meeke has never done Estonia. Suninen never got good result in WRC but 2nd in WRC2 last year. Mikkelsen won it twice in wrc2 and was 2nd in WRC on the candidate event.

Last time Meeke did Finland he crashed out twice in Toyota and did bad in C3 (Østberg and Lappi got podiums in C3). Suninen won WRC2 last two times, no good results in WRC. Mikkelsen was 4th last time in WRC, best Hyundai result up to date, ahead of Breen and Neuville.

So for both rallies Meeke is imo the worst candidate out of these 3.

Mikkelsen is best candidate for Estonia, Suninen for Finland.

[Norm75]

Are you forgetting Meeke has won in Finland?

[mknight]

Didn't see the need to list it since I believe anyone remotely following WRC remembers. Mediocre to bad results are less remembered.

When he won in 2016 the rules were 2 days of cleaning for Ogier and co. So it is a bit hard to compare to more normal starting order rules.

[er88]

Yes Mikkelsens two 4th places in Finland make Meeke a worse option for that event (1st, 3rd, fighting Tanak for the win in 19)

[AndyRAC]

Meeke has never done Estonia. Suninen never got good result in WRC but 2nd in WRC2 last year. Mikkelsen won it twice in wrc2 and was 2nd in WRC on the candidate event.

Last time Meeke did Finland he crashed out twice in Toyota and did bad in C3 (Østberg and Lappi got podiums in C3). Suninen won WRC2 last two times, no good results in WRC. Mikkelsen was 4th last time in WRC, best Hyundai result up to date, ahead of Breen and Neuville.

So for both rallies Meeke is imo the worst candidate out of these 3.

Mikkelsen is best candidate for Estonia, Suninen for Finland.

You're like a broken record in regards to Meeke; did he run over your cat? FFS

[Jarek Z]

First day in the new office!
https://twitter.com/eWRCresults/stat...04627305111556

[Danny0405]

Considering the shock, I’m not sure replacing Breen is really a priority.

Most logical for me would be to ask Sordo to make the reminder of the season except Estonia and Finland (with no replacement) with some sort of gentlemen’s agreement with Toyota not entering a 3rd manufacturer car in these rallies (probably Katsuta). Would be the most classy way to manage it in my opinion.

If they really decide to find someone for these rallies, well, I would say Paddon who, in spite of being sacked and a very short stint with M-Sport, was always loyal to the brand, was there in these rallies last year and will do some fast gravel events thanks to ERC. But I’m not sure it’s really a gift or a curse for him. At least, it wouldn’t be totally performance-oriented choice.