[WRC] Central European Rally 2023 (26-29 Oct)

[EstWRC]

Tänak with Katsuta pace but he has no rush either at the moment

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier showing what might have been.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Since Ogier is now going part time, theres only one guy who can compete for championship with Kalle. Its Ott Tänak. Evans and Neuville still cant keep it on the road. Others have no speed and are even more prone to offroad excursions. Do you remember when was the last time Tänak’s had an off? I sure cant

Agreed. Tanak in a fast reliable car is probably the only one who can challenge Rovanpera over a season.

[meh]

By pure speed, there is clear top4. Or it is actually pure dominance by Rovanperä, as most of gravel rallies he has huge disadvantage to collect stage wins from first days due to road cleaning.

Ogier has done less rallies, but when he does, he usually has road position advantage.

Stage wins this season:
* 67 Rovanperä
* 32 Ogier
* 31 Neuville
* 29 Tänak

And then comes others:
* 16 Evans (10 of 16 from Rally Finland when Rovanperä, Tänak and Lappi were out already)
* 13 Lappi
* 9 Katsuta
* 6 Sordo
* 1 Suninen
* 1 Loubet

So my point is - like I pointed out previously, Evans is collecting points with "not that risky" driving. Without collecting stage wins that much. Others (Tänak, Neuville, Ogier) could fight with Rovanperä.

Also I don't think Neuville has lost all his opportunities to be a champion, there is still chance.

[EstWRC]

Tänak having more stage wins than Evans and almost equal with Neuville is surprising

[focus206]

So my point is - like I pointed out previously, Evans is collecting points with "not that risky" driving. Without collecting stage wins that much. Others (Tänak, Neuville, Ogier) could fight with Rovanperä.

Also I don't think Neuville has lost all his opportunities to be a champion, there is still chance.

Evans has the "not that risky" driving, but every time he has had the chance to lead the championship or grab the title, he crashed out.
So far this year Neuville made 1 mistake that resulted in DNF (Croatia), the same as Kalle (Finland) and less than Evans (Portugal, CER).
The big difference is that Kalle and Evans had 0 serious mechanical problems for the whole year, as they drive a Toyota. If Hyundai was as reliable/robust as Toyota, Neuville would still be in the fight right now, but he's not.
I still think Kalle would take the title as he's the best driver in the best car, but the point is that even if Hyundai will have Ott next year, they won't be able to get the title if propshafts, suspensions, turbo have problems while Toyota is always fine.

[denkimi]

Ogier showing what might have been.

it was so weird to see him just give up after losing just 40 seconds at the very beginning. he might have been close to rovanpera at this point.

[meh]

... they won't be able to get the title if propshafts, suspensions, turbo have problems while Toyota is always fine.

Let's start from simple things like wipers and window-heaters (the famous "the quality is amazing" stuff)

[denkimi]

Evans has the "not that risky" driving, but every time he has had the chance to lead the championship or grab the title, he crashed out.
So far this year Neuville made 1 mistake that resulted in DNF (Croatia), the same as Kalle (Finland) and less than Evans (Portugal, CER).
The big difference is that Kalle and Evans had 0 serious mechanical problems for the whole year, as they drive a Toyota. If Hyundai was as reliable/robust as Toyota, Neuville would still be in the fight right now, but he's not.
I still think Kalle would take the title as he's the best driver in the best car, but the point is that even if Hyundai will have Ott next year, they won't be able to get the title if propshafts, suspensions, turbo have problems while Toyota is always fine.

indeed. just look at neuville's stats this year. without technical issues he would have been right up there fighting with rovanpera.

[CeskyOndra]

Evans has the "not that risky" driving, but every time he has had the chance to lead the championship or grab the title, he crashed out.
So far this year Neuville made 1 mistake that resulted in DNF (Croatia), the same as Kalle (Finland) and less than Evans (Portugal, CER).
The big difference is that Kalle and Evans had 0 serious mechanical problems for the whole year, as they drive a Toyota. If Hyundai was as reliable/robust as Toyota, Neuville would still be in the fight right now, but he's not.
I still think Kalle would take the title as he's the best driver in the best car, but the point is that even if Hyundai will have Ott next year, they won't be able to get the title if propshafts, suspensions, turbo have problems while Toyota is always fine.

Can't disaagre. Neuville's problems this year: Portugal Turbo failure, Kenya suspension (yes, still DSQ), Greece suspension.. Without this, he would have 40 points more.. Tanak is the same story ofc