Silly Season 2025

[Morte66]

Regarding Hyundais potential tarmac problem for next season, wouldn't Rossel be worth a try for the tarmac rounds?

He seems like the best candidate but they'd have to deal with his contract with Citroen, who would probably like him driving the tarmac rallies in WRC2 for them.

I think they should give him some test days, or enter him in French local rallies in WRC1, or whatever they can arrange, to see if he gets along with the car. I think they should have started already.

Or... they have already got Fourmaux in the bag, so no point working with Rossel.

[mknight]

Regarding Hyundais potential tarmac problem for next season, wouldn't Rossel be worth a try for the tarmac rounds?

Agree that Rossel is just about the only tarmac specialist around, except Italian drivers that never drive outside of Italy (Crugnola) and Loeb.

Problem is that Rossel actually got beaten on tarmac a few times by some of those "gravel" specialists you mention.

So imo he is not that much of a step up on tarmac to be worth it. Also note how Gryazin can match him on tarmac in same car, in Fabia he wasn't faster than many other Fabia drivers either.

[Morte66]

Problem is that Rossel actually got beaten on tarmac a few times by some of those "gravel" specialists you mention.

So imo he is not that much of a step up on tarmac to be worth it. Also note how Gryazin can match him on tarmac in same car, in Fabia he wasn't faster than many other Fabia drivers either.

Now that you mention it... Good point.

[deephouse]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-a...ng-on-asphalt/

It's an old article... It's funny that they still haven't found a solution after all those years. Even after all those cars they built during their era. And here we are, Neuville still the only one who could actually drive that car on asphalt.

[mknight]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-a...ng-on-asphalt/

It's an old article... It's funny that they still haven't found a solution after all those years. Even after all those cars they built during their era. And here we are, Neuville still the only one who could actually drive that car on asphalt.

Well the new car is completely different than the old one.
Old one was massively understeering on tarmac and hard to turn in, so that Neuville would use the handbrake more than the steering wheel at times.

New one is mostly oversteering and hard to have confidence in.

[saco0o]

just to be clear. everybody here agrees that "the names that may appear in wrc" are between these?
- sesks, pajari, solberg, rossel, grazyn, lindholm (maybe franchesci?)
and everybody would like paddon to have a try in some of the 3rd cars haha

i'd still also have a list with lukyanuk and ingram, because they are great characters. and i wish i could watch kopecky and kajetan doing one or two rounds in a rally1 'just to see how it goes'

[TypeR]

Well the new car is completely different than the old one.
Old one was massively understeering on tarmac and hard to turn in, so that Neuville would use the handbrake more than the steering wheel at times.

New one is mostly oversteering and hard to have confidence in.

The fact is that there have been different gen cars and top drivers behind the wheel, but at the end.. Neuville is still the only one that can drive it fast on tarmac..

So.. I say that they are still built by similar formula that nobosy else than Neuville can drive

It's a ,,making other drivers look bad'' car

[Backa]

"the names that may appear in wrc" are between these?
- sesks, pajari, solberg, rossel, grazyn, lindholm (maybe franchesci?)

Pajari is quite likely to go for Toyota. Sesks will maybe do some rounds in M-Sport. Solberg is more likely to stay with Skoda and wait to see what they are planning for 2027

Gus Greensmith could be back as pay-driver in M-Sport.

Rossel/Gryazin/Lindholm/Suninen/Paddon/Franceschi aren't very likely. Lappi could be out but I don't expect other old guys to be out completely for next season.

If WRC promoter is serious about one-offs for young, local drivers then maybe we will see Virves/Linnamae/Solans/Cais/Zaldivar at their home events.

[mknight]

Rossel/Gryazin/Lindholm/Suninen/Paddon/Franceschi aren't very likely.

Agree that none of them are likely next year. For the future I think only Franceschi looks promising at the moment.

[denkimi]

The fact is that there have been different gen cars and top drivers behind the wheel, but at the end.. Neuville is still the only one that can drive it fast on tarmac..

So.. I say that they are still built by similar formula that nobosy else than Neuville can drive

It's a ,,making other drivers look bad'' car

That, or Neuville is a fantastic driver.