Silly Season 2026

[AndersX]

Neuville and Fourmaux can be constant top 3 threat if the car is working. If not, then even Tanak or any other superfast driver would help.

If Tanak goes to Toyota ( i hope he does) then Hyundai most probably will put all eggs on Neuville and the 3rd car will be filled with some parttimers again.

[deephouse]

Instead of braging how they hire new administrative workers, they should field 4 cars, start thinking about bringing back Sordo, Mikkelsen, Lappi, maybe Paddon, or even Meeke. Or do the same as both other teams, give chance to some young and rising star.

[trykmann]

Neuville, if he can get the car working.

I should have explained my initial thought a little better. I meant besides Neuville and Fourmaux there aren't any other drivers available, who would be helpful in winning the manufacturers title.

[BlueStrike]

I’ll freely admit to indulging in a bit of speculation here, but one thing I have wondered is whether any of the top drivers would consider 2026 the last "proper" World Championship title for a while, with Rally2 and what looks like a pretty neutered WRC27 car on the way to being top class.

I seem to recall Neuville mentioning that he’s not really looking forward to driving slower cars, and if Tänak has followed that line of thinking, I reckon he will have given that Toyota seat some extra attention as opposed to just hanging around at Hyundai. Especially if he doesn‘t want to continue at all beyond 2026, which is also possible.

[deephouse]

If there is no other option, they will drive slower cars. And I think that both of them will not retire unless they will have to or there will be no other option or when they will not be competitive anymore.

[rallyfiend]

I think they're all worried about their salaries falling because there is less of an exclusive club more than anything.....