Hyundai WRT

[meh]

Hyundai is now more Finnish team than Toyota

[mknight]

Suninen is a good choice for these two rallies coming right now. Mikkelsen would be better if longer/bigger commitment was planned. Guess they will try Suninen and see how it goes. (And see what Sordo does).

Lindholm is the suprising choice here. Specially since I though Skoda was supporting him more this year as a champion and he was one of the development drivers for the new car. Instead we have reigning WRC2 champ switching mid season. Furthermore Lindholm is anything but convincing this year. As a younger prospect Pajari would be much better choice. But it might be that Solberg or Pajari simply didn't want to jump to Hyundai mid-season.

[Paul Hudson]

Leaves room at Skoda for Mikkelson to complete the rest of the year with Tocksport with funding from Skoda ?

[meh]

Suninen is a good choice for these two rallies coming right now. Mikkelsen would be better if longer/bigger commitment was planned. Guess they will try Suninen and see how it goes. (And see what Sordo does).

Lindholm is the suprising choice here. Specially since I though Skoda was supporting him more this year as a champion and he was one of the development drivers for the new car. Instead we have reigning WRC2 champ switching mid season. Furthermore Lindholm is anything but convincing this year. As a younger prospect Pajari would be much better choice. But it might be that Solberg or Pajari simply didn't want to jump to Hyundai mid-season.

It's all abour Reeta delivering pace-notes

[Allez Andruet]

It took Hyundai almost 10 full seasons in the WRC to realize the eternal truth of rallying; if you want to win, hire a Finn.

On a bit more serious note, what a make or break for Suninen this is. The potential and talent is unquestioned, but can it be materialized just like that after having been out of a top class car (in competition) for 19 months? In a way it feels like it's 2023, not 1994 when Tommi Mäkinen dominated the 1000 Lakes in his first 4WD start of the season in WRC. But if Suninen can keep it together it wouldn't be that big of a surprise if it ends up being 1994 all over again.

[becher]

Right decision in my opinion, and also more interesting one for fans than Mikkelsen.

[Danny0405]

Well, as already evoked, Suninen is the most logical for that type of 1st stint Estonia-Finland (and potentially further depending on his results there).
However, I would have found more logical to give him a rally before Estonia because starting in Estonia with no official rally in the car... well sounds complicated on that type of road.
And no rally in Finnish or Estonian championship to occur before this rally now.

For Lindholm, well, difficult to say but his start of season was average ... indeed, maybe Skoda lets him go because they want Mikkelsen back.

[ferrial]

Well, as already evoked, Suninen is the most logical for that type of 1st stint Estonia-Finland (and potentially further depending on his results there).
However, I would have found more logical to give him a rally before Estonia because starting in Estonia with no official rally in the car... well sounds complicated on that type of road.
And no rally in Finnish or Estonian championship to occur before this rally now.

For Lindholm, well, difficult to say but his start of season was average ... indeed, maybe Skoda lets him go because they want Mikkelsen back.

On 8th of July, one day rally of South-Estonia is going to be held to give drivers an opportunity to test before Rally Estonia. Rally1 cars expected to participate.
https://ralli.ee/forus-louna-eesti-r...aid-rallimehi/

[mknight]

Right decision in my opinion, and also more interesting one for fans than Mikkelsen.

The crowds were going wild when Suninen drove the i20 for the one-off in Monza at the end of 2021

[becher]

The crowds were going wild when Suninen drove the i20 for the one-off in Monza at the end of 2021

Ohh come on don't act daft...

We all know what to expect from Mikkelsen, Suninen might surprise ala 2017 Finland or disappoint, which I consider more interesting.