Silly Season 2026

[spyros]

Look at moto gp (I'm fan all these years ) and the sport grows and every year new talents came in and is very competitive.

[Tauri_J]

Hopefully Estonia and Finland with Toyota.

[becher]

The month is young. And he's been smiling a lot this year too, as cars fell apart under him.

I think he was smiling because it dawned on him that 2024 really was his last chance to win a championship and he took it.

[Dontcut]

Hopefully Estonia and Finland with Toyota.

Actually my first thought was shared part time with Ogier in Toyota

[Morte66]

I think he was smiling because it dawned on him that 2024 really was his last chance to win a championship and he took it.

You might be right. And that would make him a wise man.

[240RS]

With Tanak gone, what does he know that we don't???

For one, it raises the real possibility that Hyundai may be walking away at the end of 2026. Toyota is the only manufacturer looking assured of continuing with a proper program. I can only hope that that won't be the case. We need more, not less,

[BlueStrike]

DirtFish just put the word out that Hyundai offered Tänak a ginormous amount of money to stay, and Ott still walked away.

Tells you everything you need to know, I think. Other than that, I think Colin Clark really summed my thoughts up well in the first minute or so.

https://youtu.be/7ySjefw9DMU

[focus206]

I think he was smiling because it dawned on him that 2024 really was his last chance to win a championship and he took it.

I've thought of that as well. Neuville must be very glad that he took the (probably) last chance of his career, everything that comes after is a bonus. And seeing this year's trash Hyundai and he not fitting with the new car/tyres, he must be feeling "Whew, just in time".

[AndersX]

Well, i am one of those who still remembers teenager Tanak with Saaremaa built Golf II, then saga with russian Syrus team yellow Clio gearboxes , his Pirelli Star drive qualification drives and so on. All this long ride was a massive growth of him as a personality. And his driving was from the fastest we have ever seen in rally.

I say: this is very interesting decision by OT, expect him back with one of the new brands under new rules. His friend Ogier showed him that taking some time off, can bring even more out later.

[Rallyper]

Also remember Ott in Pirelli shoot out in Jyväskylä 2009. First time I saw his name on a rallycar (I think Mitsubishi Evo IX, or so). It has been a pleasur watching him during the years. Also met him personally back in the Ford days.
For those who think Ogier is so stupid he´d go for WDC next year, I´d say, forget it. It´s like stealing candy from a child going for WDC 2026.