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Silly Season 2027

I think the main question is about potential with McErlean vs Armstrong.

In his debut year Josh did enough to secure a second season in Rally1, but this year he hasn't shown much improvement compared to last year. I'm afraid he isn't going to become faster anymore and has reached his ceiling.

Jon on the other hand has shown good pace in some occasions and recent event with Rally2 was also a good comparison with other WRC2 top drivers.
 
As long as they money is there I dont see why Armstrong wouldn't get a second season. He's done ok considering a lot of the WRC events are new to him (plus the Puma ofc).
 
Armstrong just need to find consistency, maybe slow a little bit on some ocassions and rather finish rallies than show his speed. Also with Sesks.
 
MEEKE WRC COMEBACK ON THE CARDS?

There’s no confirmed link yet, but Kris Meeke’s recent activity is certainly adding to the feeling that a WRC return in 2027 might not be out of the question.

The 47-year-old has been increasingly active again, including his Donegal International Rally victory, continued Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 involvement and his upcoming ERC return at Rali Ceredigion.

Meeke had also hoped to contest the final two ERC rounds this season, another sign that his programme is becoming more serious rather than simply a handful of one-off appearances.

With WRC entering a new era in 2027 and opportunities potentially opening up through new teams, constructors and Rally2-based machinery, Meeke’s name could become one to watch.

Nothing is confirmed, but the pieces are certainly beginning to fall into place, making a return feel a little more possible.

Source: RallyFish
 
Fast-Eddie said:
MEEKE WRC COMEBACK ON THE CARDS?

There’s no confirmed link yet, but Kris Meeke’s recent activity is certainly adding to the feeling that a WRC return in 2027 might not be out of the question.

The 47-year-old has been increasingly active again, including his Donegal International Rally victory, continued Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 involvement and his upcoming ERC return at Rali Ceredigion.

Meeke had also hoped to contest the final two ERC rounds this season, another sign that his programme is becoming more serious rather than simply a handful of one-off appearances.

With WRC entering a new era in 2027 and opportunities potentially opening up through new teams, constructors and Rally2-based machinery, Meeke’s name could become one to watch.

Nothing is confirmed, but the pieces are certainly beginning to fall into place, making a return feel a little more possible.

Source: RallyFish
Click to expand...
I doubt anyone serious would want meeke back. He might still have some speed in him, but not enough to go to a big team. And for small teams, the repair bill will be too big.
 
As everyone is on lookout for seat 2027, current, young ones and old dogs, it seems like there are huge number of seats available. Well even Neuville is on scout and he is champion and have struggles to find it, i simply can't see an option for anybody outside of WRC being able to secure it.
 
On the Paraguay recce interviews, Colin Clark said to Ogier he is doing the last 4 events this year because he'll be back next year... Ogier replied, after nearly 20 years you dont know me at all.

He went on to state he wants to enjoy the last events of the Rally1 Car, fight for wins and have some fun.

This confirms my opinion that he's done in WRC after 2026 and isn't going to continue in the slower WRC27 car era.

HQuIDA9WUAEy3Xj
 
Fast-Eddie said:
On the Paraguay recce interviews, Colin Clark said to Ogier he is doing the last 4 events this year because he'll be back next year... Ogier replied, after nearly 20 years you dont know me at all.

He went on to state he wants to enjoy the last events of the Rally1 Car, fight for wins and have some fun.

This confirms my opinion that he's done in WRC after 2026 and isn't going to continue in the slower WRC27 car era.

HQuIDA9WUAEy3Xj
Click to expand...
Would never play cards against this man!
 
Fast-Eddie said:
MEEKE WRC COMEBACK ON THE CARDS?

There’s no confirmed link yet, but Kris Meeke’s recent activity is certainly adding to the feeling that a WRC return in 2027 might not be out of the question.

The 47-year-old has been increasingly active again, including his Donegal International Rally victory, continued Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 involvement and his upcoming ERC return at Rali Ceredigion.

Meeke had also hoped to contest the final two ERC rounds this season, another sign that his programme is becoming more serious rather than simply a handful of one-off appearances.

With WRC entering a new era in 2027 and opportunities potentially opening up through new teams, constructors and Rally2-based machinery, Meeke’s name could become one to watch.

Nothing is confirmed, but the pieces are certainly beginning to fall into place, making a return feel a little more possible.

Source: RallyFish
Click to expand...
Kris has been doing plenty of work for Toyota in recent months with the Rally 2 car but his Madeira crash still shows he hasn't mellowed! Could see him being employed as a development/test "consultant" however at 47 does he really need the stress?
 
Fast-Eddie said:
On the Paraguay recce interviews, Colin Clark said to Ogier he is doing the last 4 events this year because he'll be back next year... Ogier replied, after nearly 20 years you dont know me at all.

He went on to state he wants to enjoy the last events of the Rally1 Car, fight for wins and have some fun.

This confirms my opinion that he's done in WRC after 2026 and isn't going to continue in the slower WRC27 car era.
Click to expand...
I still believe he is in the game for the championship. 140 points are waiting to be collected and Evans must not have a bad rally.
 
Neuville (& Loeb) have declined testing the WRC27 Project Rally One car. Looks like Neuville could be out after 2026 as I cant see Hyundai producing a good enough improvement (or Kit) for their ancient Rally2 i20N.

rallyjournal.com

New WRC team makes move for rally superstars – both say no - RallyJournal.com

Project Rally One, which is set to enter the World Rally Championship next season, will carry out the first official test of its WRC27 car next week.
rallyjournal.com rallyjournal.com
 
Fast-Eddie said:
Neuville (& Loeb) have declined testing the WRC27 Project Rally One car. Looks like Neuville could be out after 2026 as I cant see Hyundai producing a good enough improvement (or Kit) for their ancient Rally2 i20N.

rallyjournal.com

New WRC team makes move for rally superstars – both say no - RallyJournal.com

Project Rally One, which is set to enter the World Rally Championship next season, will carry out the first official test of its WRC27 car next week.
rallyjournal.com rallyjournal.com
Click to expand...

It can also be that they see that this project is on, let's say, financially shaky ground and a time investment from their side would be quite pointless
 
Loeb have so many things going on, he probably doesn't have time to develop a random car, also he would probably do that for free, and the goat will never do that for free. Neuville doesn't want to start from scratch as he is now older generation of current drivers and he wants to immediately fight for championships and not wait again long time to achieve that level again. He have enough problems already at Hyundai.

Simply PR1 will go after next best guys and I think they will snatch at least one driver from current ones, who will not have guaranteed seat for next year. Maybe Fourmaux, Lappi or even Paddon, Armstrong, Sesks or McErlean
 
Fast-Eddie said:
Neuville (& Loeb) have declined testing the WRC27 Project Rally One car. Looks like Neuville could be out after 2026 as I cant see Hyundai producing a good enough improvement (or Kit) for their ancient Rally2 i20N.

rallyjournal.com

New WRC team makes move for rally superstars – both say no - RallyJournal.com

Project Rally One, which is set to enter the World Rally Championship next season, will carry out the first official test of its WRC27 car next week.
rallyjournal.com rallyjournal.com
Click to expand...
not testing. they declined the role of developer.
 
deephouse said:
Loeb have so many things going on, he probably doesn't have time to develop a random car, also he would probably do that for free, and the goat will never do that for free. Neuville doesn't want to start from scratch as he is now older generation of current drivers and he wants to immediately fight for championships and not wait again long time to achieve that level again. He have enough problems already at Hyundai.

Simply PR1 will go after next best guys and I think they will snatch at least one driver from current ones, who will not have guaranteed seat for next year. Maybe Fourmaux, Lappi or even Paddon, Armstrong, Sesks or McErlean
Click to expand...
maybe later. but for developement, the names are: abbring, lefebvre, cherain, astier. and people from circuit race for the very beginning.

also rmc is pointing circuit racer for the first step developement, an ex f2 driver Villa
 
Fast-Eddie said:
No mention of the word developer in the RJ article, all 'testing'.

The likes of Kevin Abbring, Stéphane Lefebvre and Cédric Cherain will do the development.
Click to expand...
These seem kinda weird names. I can understand Lefebvre since he is on asphalt probably as good or even beter than paddon. But cherain and especially abbring seems totally fake. Abbring hasn't done any real rally for the last 5 years.
 
Fast-Eddie said:
No mention of the word developer in the RJ article, all 'testing'.

The likes of Kevin Abbring, Stéphane Lefebvre and Cédric Cherain will do the development.
Click to expand...
I've reported yesterday a different article by italian media, quoting the boss of the firm.
 
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