WRC driver Juho Hänninen

[vkangas]

I thought Juho deserves his own thread especially when he is now officially WRC driver again.

Let's start with Juho's comments from latest issue of VM. I translated them freely and made them shorter but tried to get the content right.

"We had to settle these two rallies quickly. After Monte/Sweden decision we started to do work for the rest of the season to get more rallies. I'm convinced that we will drive more than two rallies next year. If that would not be the case it would be better to not drive at all. We have agreed that I'll just drive and other guys handle the financial side."

Hänninen will have one day of testing before Monte and other day before Sweden. He thinks it's enough for good results. In Monte he will start carefully and try to raise speed during the rally.

All in all very positive stuff for Juho and for the sport! :)

[Mirek]

Now let someone bring some videos from today! :)

[RS]

Really pleased for Juho to get this opportunity but I don't think one day of testing with an unfamiliar car will be enough for him to show his full potential. Hope to be proven wrong!

[RAS007]

I thought Juho deserves his own thread especially when he is now officially WRC driver again.

Let's start with Juho's comments from latest issue of VM. I translated them freely and made them shorter but tried to get the content right.

"We had to settle these two rallies quickly. After Monte/Sweden decision we started to do work for the rest of the season to get more rallies. I'm convinced that we will drive more than two rallies next year. If that would not be the case it would be better to not drive at all. We have agreed that I'll just drive and other guys handle the financial side."

Hänninen will have one day of testing before Monte and other day before Sweden. He thinks it's enough for good results. In Monte he will start carefully and try to raise speed during the rally.

All in all very positive stuff for Juho and for the sport! :)

I think this a great opportunity for Hanninen, and I am really excited to see what he can do. The one question I have right now is, how do you think Hanninen's chances of doing a fuller program with M-Sport have been affected by yesterday's announcement re: Neuville, Novikov etc? Or, will he have to find his own funding regardless of that, and in essence be a customer of M-Sport?

[tommeke_B]

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/475448_312472408868617_1840522666_o.jpg

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/326908_312468752202316_820278267_o.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/287810_312472522201939_167876065_o.jpg

[Sami]

I've followed Juho's career closely for 10 years now. Juho made his breakthrough in Civic type-r in Finland. I remember getting a phone call from the late Pentti Airikkala in october 2003. Pentti kept asking who the hell is this new guy, who drove in Valvoline rally with genius lines. Pentti knew how to spot the talents, you know!

I respect Juho very much, he is tactical and wise driver and so far everything he has tried has lead to championship victory. That is really impressive. But he has never been the absolutely phenomenally fastest one. I've been wondering what is his true maximum speed. Now he has the chance to show it, I hope. Tactical Juho-like drive in Monte and then maximum attack in Sweden, please. :)

[Mirek]

Videoooo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKp4rO7xuLA

[Japé]

I would be amazed if someone could do anykind of even mediocre results with a new car and one day of testing.

[stefanvv]

I wish him good luck with him plans for WRC. Let we see him more often in 2013 in the Rallies.

[RS]

I still find Fiesta WRC so boring :(

[jbmarcus21]

Juho Hanninen Test Days [PHOTO-VIDEO]
Juho Hänninen prépare le Monte-Carlo 2013 ! (http://planetemarcus.com/juho-hanninen-prepare-le-monte-carlo-2013/)

[dimviii]

nice drive from Juho considering first time with Fiesta!

http://nsa31.casimages.com/img/2012/12/15/121215070459407903.jpg

[tommeke_B]

Yes, looks very efficient... I think he will do well, he's a smart driver. :)

[Mirek]

That helmet is quite old, isn't it? :)

[dimviii]

That helmet is quite old, isn't it? :)

from evo 9 pwrc days..

[noel157]

I like Juho, exciting yet careful/intelligent driver when going hard (and he can go hard than most when necessary) but best thing about him is his sense of humour, something lacking in most rally personalities. Just hope he can extend his programme beyond 2 events.

[Rallyper]

That helmet is quite old, isn't it? :)

He puts money in driving, not in supplies...

[TyPat107]

I am a big Juho fan and my big worry is that won't be given a fair shot. Perhaps on Monte if he is ahead of Ostberg/Neuville/Novikov after day 1 we will see him with "setup issues" or down on power on day 2. I think Anthony Warmbolds blog has made me paranoid

[rage82]

Look's like Loeb style on the hairpins - fast and efficient

[Kielder]

Another video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSh8P0qZAdg

[Ucci]

I'm always happy for each driver, who gets opportunity to drive WRC car. But looking realistically expecting some top results from him on his first two attempts is not fair....WRC car is still another world, yust two days of testing, and Seb I&II, Mikko, JML...are faster, those are facts which should be taken into account. If all those mentioned guys will hit technical troubles or will retaire, than he can ''surprise'' us, other way no.....
Anyway, finger cross that he gets budget for the rest of the season. Later in the season he can be more competetive.

[Jerra]

Glad to see Juho behind the wheel of WRC car! He won every championship which contested and he deserve manufacturer sit. He is born like champion and I wish him to keep going this way.

[RS]

I'm always happy for each driver, who gets opportunity to drive WRC car. But looking realistically expecting some top results from him on his first two attempts is not fair....WRC car is still another world, yust two days of testing, and Seb I&II, Mikko, JML...are faster, those are facts which should be taken into account. If all those mentioned guys will hit technical troubles or will retaire, than he can ''surprise'' us, other way no.....
Anyway, finger cross that he gets budget for the rest of the season. Later in the season he can be more competetive.

I believe than Juho has more potential than Mikko generally speaking, but the question is now whether he will really get the chance to show it. Paying privateer with minimal testing is quite different to being a nominated manufacturer driver.

Look how slow Mikko was on Monte last year with probably quite a lot of testing...

[adr17]

I am a big Juho fan and my big worry is that won't be given a fair shot. Perhaps on Monte if he is ahead of Ostberg/Neuville/Novikov after day 1 we will see him with "setup issues" or down on power on day 2. I think Anthony Warmbolds blog has made me paranoid

what a load of crap !!! one persons word ! and its the truth

[tommeke_B]

I think Anthony Warmbolds blog has made me paranoid
Good that you know that. :)

[Franky]

and its the truth

If you believe in it, then it is the truth for you. Simple as that.

[A.F.F.]

I believe that Monte, Juho might shine due the smart drive but I'm afraid Sweden will reveal the true speed which isn't going to be top of the gang :mark:

I hope I'm wrong thought.

[Rallyper]

I believe that Monte, Juho might shine due the smart drive but I'm afraid Sweden will reveal the true speed which isn't going to be top of the gang :mark:

I hope I'm wrong thought.

Depends on weather though. Starting order can be crucial... That regarding Sweden.

[Barreis]

Tricky decision to leave works job at škoda for two events contract with M-sport.

[mousti]

Some risks u have to make in life, and like we've always thought Juho is a real sportsman who wants to win every where and ambitious like he should be! And then u have to do something else on a higher level if u have already won everything on that level (IRC, ERC, SWRC).

[SubaruNorway]

Must be some times since Hänninen did a proper snow rally?

[RAS007]

Tricky decision to leave works job at škoda for two events contract with M-sport.

Agreed. I am assuming Juho has to find funding for a wider programme?

[TyPat107]

Didn't he do Janner this year? Or is that not a proper snow event (beingserious I am not very familiar with it)

[stefanvv]

Didn't he do Janner this year? Or is that not a proper snow event (beingserious I am not very familiar with it)

Yes, he did, I think he finished 2nd. It is snow event, but I think only Monte Carlo winter tyres are allowed, not Swedish type.

[EightGear]

Didn't he do Janner this year? Or is that not a proper snow event (beingserious I am not very familiar with it)


Janner is on snow with tarmac underneath (or no snow and just tarmac) and in Sweden it's gravel under the snow.
This onboard from Juho is quite nice, you can also see him struggle a bit!

V?e o Rally CZ, AutoCrossu, RallyCrossu, Kartingu ? MediaSport.cz (http://www.mediasport.cz/jezdci---rally/hanninen-juho/2552.html?quality=hd)

[Georgi]

I don't think Juho is risking much with this two rallies. Probably he has other options too.
So far he did many wise choices and I think he is giving himself some time to see where he is at the moment comparing to the top names.

[SubaruNorway]

Yeah Janner is definitely not a proper snow rally. Don't get why they wanted that and this "winter" rally in Lithuania in the ERC where there is maybe snow.

[Koceens]

Actually this ERC rally will be in Latvia not Lithuania and there is plenty of snow right now. But of course the winter weather there is not so stable as in Scandinavia.

P.S. We are used to that foreigners usually thinks that Latvia = Lithuania :D

[muratgunarslan]

My personal idea; Juho is very talented and smart driver. If Malcolm gives him a good car with correct settings, I believe that Juho will do very good jobs at RMC and Sweden. Even he can be the fastest Ford driver at RMC or second after Mads. He is so fast on gravel and snow. And also fast tarmac as a tarmac specialst, and won on tarmac. I wish him to drive all 13 rounds of WRC. We will see...

[Mirek]

Must be some times since Hänninen did a proper snow rally?

I think Sweden in PWRC...


Didn't he do Janner this year? Or is that not a proper snow event (beingserious I am not very familiar with it)

Jänner is similar event like Monte Carlo (stages around Valence). Like others said there is asphalt surface with snow and ice, or mud or nothing like the RMC...


Yes, he did, I think he finished 2nd. It is snow event, but I think only Monte Carlo winter tyres are allowed, not Swedish type.

No and yes. You can use narrow winter tyres in Jänner but not Swedish type studs. Škoda crews last year did first section on wide D10 snow tyres and that gamble was a bad choice.

Yes, Juho was second overall but he was also one minute off, had wrong tyres in one section and moreover was cleaning new snow in both legs (there were heavy overnight snowfalls). He got to second in incredible attack during last section (only the last stage he won by 20 seconds).

[Plan9]

Let's just watch this truly talented driver in Monte Carlo and Sweden and enjoy the fact that Juho is finally able to use his full potential in a WRC car.

[cali]

Very nice lines as usual by Juho!

[adr17]

what a shame juho had his off , was doing great and was fastest on that stage up to that point by alot

he and tommi , thanked every member of msport and apologised for crashing !he is a proper gentleman

fingers crossed for better luck in sweden

[Mirek]

Do You have some split times from Turini to compare with Bouffier and others?

[Barreis]

Really bad that Juho crashed out.

[adr17]

Do You have some split times from Turini to compare with Bouffier and others?

i dont have any screen shots but when we were watching offical timing ( which was terrible compared to the timing previously ) at split 4 1min 04 faster than loeb ( which i think is a few secs behind bouffier ) so he wasnt fastest sorry but that was only halfway through

however it all ifs and maybes now

but fantastic driver and great personality

[Mirek]

Thanks

[pantealex]

Mikko Hirvonen said that he was 50s behind Hänninen in Turini

[RS]

Shame Juho didn't finish but he did a good job with so little testing and experience of the latest WRCars.

I still believe he has more potential than Hirvonen or Latvala given the right opportunities.

Looking forward to Sweden.

[stefanvv]

Hanninen was the only driver to impress me on Turini, well probably he also had better tyres that some others, but still great ride :)

[Miika]

Juho said somewhere that he had no splits @ Turini and didn´t realise how much faster he was going compared to Mikko. With splits working maybe he would have backed off a bit and could have avoided the off but again that is one 'maybe' too many.

[alleskids]

Hanninen was the only driver to impress me on Turini, well probably he also had better tyres that some others, but still great ride :)

What were the best tyres in that conditions? almost everybody was on studed tyres, right?

[stefanvv]

What were the best tyres in that conditions? almost everybody was on studed tyres, right?

By worse I mean used studs, I think Hanninen was the only Ford to have new, because saved some on friday.

[A.F.F.]

I'm sorry but what spectacular Hänninen did at Monte?? One top stage time and that's it. IMO he was a disappointment and he could/shoulod have driven much faster stage times. Something he himself agree.

[mikkov]

I'm sorry but what spectacular Hänninen did at Monte?? One top stage time and that's it. IMO he was a disappointment and he could/shoulod have driven much faster stage times. Something he himself agree.

He was once fastest and two times third fastest. On many stages his pace on par with the rest but he lost time in couple of places only. I would say that that's promising result considering the limited testing and hard conditions. I admit that I was expecting a bit more also, but I wouldn't call results a disappointment either. I'd expect much better from Sweden.

[Barreis]

What after Sweden? From two rallies, one crash already. Real trouble when you HAVE to perform under big preasure.

[mikkov]

It's very hard for an outsider to estimate what happens after Sweden. Why? Because we don't really know who is paying for a drive and how much. According to Vauhdin Maailma it's finnish businessman (forgot the name) who is paying, but looking at the livery Qatar may be putting some money in too (discounted price?). In finnish radio Hänninen said that he didn't really know who is paying who and how much (doubt it really) and he is only concentrating on driving and "bosses" are making decisions. So if it's Malcolm who he had to impress it's going to be really hard, but if it's his personal sponsors it may be much easier.

[stefanvv]

I've read on this forum awhile ago, his managers are working on providing more participations for him this year, but nothing certain so far I think

[WRC1]

I am sorry, but before his off on turini stage he (juho) was 56sec behind a certain mikko hirvonen....

hänninen drove his FIRST rally in modern wrc, hirvonen is titel contender in rally-winning machine, with expieriance of many years in top factory seat....??!!

and if the split times are right juho would have overtaken mikko on this stage...

in my opinion JUHO made a absolut spectacular first outing in fiesta! i really hope he gets many more chances this year, in my opinion after 3-4 rallyes he will be the fastest finn in world championship....

[vkangas]

I'm sorry but what spectacular Hänninen did at Monte?? One top stage time and that's it. IMO he was a disappointment and he could/shoulod have driven much faster stage times. Something he himself agree.
I respect your opinion but have to disagree badly :)

-despite 2007 WRC experience we can say new car type for him, there is many fundamental handling differences between Skoda and Ford.
-200k's of testing, mainly with tarmac tyres
-no snow testing at all
-the most difficult modern Monte ever. You really have to be one with the car in that kind of conditions.
-saved studded tires for nothing, tough luck but that's rallying

He showed his potential definately. I could not expect more in this kind of conditions. If conditions would have been less tricky I would expect more but that was just what he delivered when SS9 was quite even snow stage.

[vkangas]

Anyways Juho has selected quite hard rallies for him. Monte is always tricky and anything can happen. Sweden on the other hand is also a specialist event. But these selections (first two rallies) are of course logical when there is a high propability that he can get more.

I really look forward to see Juho in proper gravel and tarmac rallies :) .

Btw, was Juho's last proper snow rally when he was driving PWRC?

[stefanvv]

I think he already knows about the car much more after Monte, we can expect so much more from him :up:

[vkangas]

finnish businessman (forgot the name)
Kaj Kuistila is the name, he has been supporting Juho For years in different ways. He's also the man behind PWRC and IRC contracts.

[vkangas]

Btw, Juho has a nice new homepage:
www.juhohanninen.com (http://www.juhohanninen.com/en/main/)

[alleskids]

I like his version of the Qatar Ford. I wish that was the real livery

[Mirek]

Btw, was Juho's last proper snow rally when he was driving PWRC?

On long studs with a gravel surface under the snow and ice - yes.

[Barreis]

It would be really bad to dissapear from WRC 'cos of lack of money. Still remember D.Carlson who was so quick (especially in 2003 JWRC) and where's he now?! Nowhere.

[A.F.F.]

I respect your opinion but have to disagree badly :)

-despite 2007 WRC experience we can say new car type for him, there is many fundamental handling differences between Skoda and Ford.
-200k's of testing, mainly with tarmac tyres
-no snow testing at all
-the most difficult modern Monte ever. You really have to be one with the car in that kind of conditions.
-saved studded tires for nothing, tough luck but that's rallying

He showed his potential definately. I could not expect more in this kind of conditions. If conditions would have been less tricky I would expect more but that was just what he delivered when SS9 was quite even snow stage.

Well, most of you guys know by a fact that Juho himself thought he should have had better pace in the rally. Maybe, if Monte would have been like it has in the recent years, all tarmac, he was fast. But know it was a lottery and game of tyres with everybody and like we know, Juho lost that gamble badly.

I only roast those who I love and I know Juho can do better. That's why for me, his Monte was a disappointment.

[RS]

Like Juho himself said, on the one stage where he felt totally comfortable with the car he won the stage. If he knew the Fiesta like he knew the Fabia (like the back of his hand) I am sure we would have seen many more stage wins.

Hope he will get a couple of good days testing before Sweden.

[Miika]

One day of testing for Juho before Sweden.


"I´ve never driven with a suspension like this. You don´t have the confidence in it especially when the grip varies. For Sweden we prepare with one day of testing, and just like in the Monte tests, we don´t have an engineer looking after the dampers/shock absorbers, so I´m afraid we´ll continue with the same setups.

During a rally there is no point in making radical setup changes. It is a lottery where you usually lose more (instead of gaining something)."

Hänninen harmitteli varomattomuuttaan - Ralli - Turun Sanomat (http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/ralli/439980/Hanninen+harmitteli+varomattomuuttaan)

[bluuford]

Novikov and Tänak had the same problems in 2012. Minimal amount or no testing at all makes big difference between factory and non-factory team. At least they have some general settings that M-Sport has (as a result of their own testing), but it suits to some stages and not for the other.

[rp]

Btw, was Juho's last proper snow rally when he was driving PWRC?

The last snow rally was Sweden 2008 and only one day testing before Sweden, so it will be difficult. Surely he has more WRC events coming, but it would be very important to get good results and beat at least all the others than Hirvonen, Latvala, Østberg, Loeb and Ogier. Citroën have the speed, fastest drivers will be at Volkswagen, but how about the Polo and Østberg/Ford will be fast on snow...

[RS]

One day of testing for Juho before Sweden.

Hmmm, he doesn't sound too happy, but as long as the people paying the bills know and understand the situation...

[Mirek]

Well, most of you guys know by a fact that Juho himself thought he should have had better pace in the rally. Maybe, if Monte would have been like it has in the recent years, all tarmac, he was fast. But know it was a lottery and game of tyres with everybody and like we know, Juho lost that gamble badly.


Sorry, but last pure asphalt Monte was 2008 in which Juho didn't take part.

2009 was a lot of snow, almost like this year. Especially SS10 where Juho and Meeke crashed was in my opinion even worse than Turini 2012. Something like 20 cm of new snow overnight while in lower altitudes it was very wet (where they rolled).

2010 a bit less but still I personally saw 5 stages on snow. That was the most spectacular edition I was there (not being there this year).

2011 wasn't much snow but it was enough for the famous tyre epic fail of Juho, Solberg and Kopecký.

2012 was almost without snow, only half of SS Burzet was on snow (stage where JML did a lot of time to Seb but in second run crashed) and one third of SS St. Jean which was ten cm deep ruts in solid ice full of water from heavy rain. Juho didn't take part in this one.

[A.F.F.]

Whatever. The point was that the conditions this year were worse than expected.

[Mirek]

He didn't have a single test run on snow. That's the case in my opinion.

[Ezhik]

Novikov and Tänak had the same problems in 2012. Minimal amount or no testing at all makes big difference between factory and non-factory team. At least they have some general settings that M-Sport has (as a result of their own testing), but it suits to some stages and not for the other.

I think that is was big mistake that Tanak made his made his first with WRC with full-programme. For him would better to make anouther season in SWRC and some round in WRC car. If he used this option he could quetly learn with the car team etc. And only after that make full season with WRC car. I really want to see him in WRC.

[alleskids]

what was he deal with Tanak and M-Sport in 2012? he was "full supported"" by M-Sport sponsors ( his car only carried Michelin and m-Sport), or did he bring own budget? If the deal was free, Tanak had little choise then to grab the change

[Ezhik]

what was he deal with Tanak and M-Sport in 2012? he was "full supported"" by M-Sport sponsors ( his car only carried Michelin and m-Sport), or did he bring own budget? If the deal was free, Tanak had little choise then to grab the change

He didn't brought anything. Wilson paid for everything, except hotels and plane tickets.

[Georgi]

He didn't brought anything. Wilson paid for everything, except hotels and plane tickets.

Whoa! Lucky guy!
I still don't believe Mr.Wilson to pay for other driver than his son.
Tanak was very fast with Fiesta S2000 and he has huge talent but for sure he must find money to compete further.

[stefanvv]

Whoa! Lucky guy!
I still don't believe Mr.Wilson to pay for other driver than his son.
Tanak was very fast with Fiesta S2000 and he has huge talent but for sure he must find money to compete further.

Wilson had huge hopes for him. But I guess lot of crashes last year and the fact Ford pull out from title sponsorship made him change his mind.

[Georgi]

Actually I believe Wilson knew about the Ford departure much before the official announcement.
Ford was never really on the level of Citroen.
Loeb will be hero in the Citroen history.
Who will be hero in the history of Ford ?

[Franky]

He didn't brought anything. Wilson paid for everything, except hotels and plane tickets.

Any confirmation for that statement?

[Ezhik]

Any confirmation for that statement?

See PM. I don't want to name the source of this information publicly