Silly Season 2026

[denkimi]

Latvala to Delfi Estonia: "I think every driver, when their contract is about to expire, starts to look around and ask the teams what the options are. Ott also contacted us and asked about the situation, but we had the lineup together by then," Latvala commented.

So toyota or retirement. How bad must hyundai be.

[becher]

Colin Clark's full thoughts on Tänak's decision are available on Club DirtFish

https://www.patreon.com/posts/colin-clarks-to-143173871

Anybody have the subscribe member ? can tell us what's the Colin conclusion?

I think it goes something like this: "Goodbye, now I have even more time to lick Ogiers boots"

[sti123]

So toyota or retirement. How bad must hyundai be.

More than ~5-6 000 000€ bad as this has been his estimated annual salary per last three years at Hyundai. For the 2026, team offered him more than ever has been paid. Respect to Ott for that, family comes first.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If he doesn't believe he can win the Championship, I wonder if he thinks, is it worth the risk at these speeds, in a car I dont trust.

Life is too precious.

[rallyfiend]

More than ~5-6 000 000€ bad as this has been his estimated annual salary per last three years at Hyundai. For the 2026, team offered him more than ever has been paid. Respect to Ott for that, family comes first.

This salary took a very big reduction hit when he both left to go to M-Sport, and then again when he returned to Hyundai.

He had no leverage so had to take a hit when returning to Hyundai. So maybe they did offer him an increase to stay, but it was starting from a much, much lower base. The win bonus was high, but you need to be winning to get that benefit....

[flat_right]

This salary took a very big reduction hit when he both left to go to M-Sport, and then again when he returned to Hyundai.

Source?

[becher]

Source?

Common sense I guess. M-Sport was certainly not paying what Hyundai paid him when he was hired on a multi year deal as reigning (or soon to be world champion).

When he wanted to come back he had zero other options bar staying at home. You think Hyundai offered him the same as in 2019 when he was the beggar rather than the chooser in 2023/24?

[sti123]

This salary took a very big reduction hit when he both left to go to M-Sport, and then again when he returned to Hyundai.

He had no leverage so had to take a hit when returning to Hyundai. So maybe they did offer him an increase to stay, but it was starting from a much, much lower base. The win bonus was high, but you need to be winning to get that benefit....

You can get this turnover info even on the paying country level from the public Estonian companies registration database. Figures I posted are valid.

[EstWRC]

Common sense I guess. M-Sport was certainly not paying what Hyundai paid him when he was hired on a multi year deal as reigning (or soon to be world champion).

When he wanted to come back he had zero other options bar staying at home. You think Hyundai offered him the same as in 2019 when he was the beggar rather than the chooser in 2023/24?

With Msport it was Red Bull that paid his salary not Wilson alone.

At least this is what I have understood. The same was with Ogier when he was in Msport.

[becher]

With Msport it was Red Bull that paid his salary not Wilson alone.

At least this is what I have understood. The same was with Ogier when he was in Msport.

Sure it was sponsors money but i'd still guess his previous Hyundai contract was a lot more lucrative than his year at M sport.