Tänak is also a co-owner of MM-Motorsport...
Wouldn`t be surprised about the second part also.
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Tänak is also a co-owner of MM-Motorsport...
Wouldn`t be surprised about the second part also.
TGR/TMR Estonia and MM-Motorsport are in same place (same yard/buildings)
Tanak is the kingpin on the driver market.
not much will happen until he is crossed off.
My bet; Neuville stays, Ogier stays, Lappi stays, Latvala stays, Meeke moves.
If Tanak stay, then Mikkelsen goes to MSport. if Tanak goes to MSport Mikkelsen might still follow, but more logical stays.
Østberg and Breen are jokers for what seat is left, if any.
Think Mads will bring budget and run as a 3rd Citroen entry (maybe not for all rallies though). They'll want to have a stronger showing in the manufacturers championship for as little the cost possible.
He won't get in anywhere else and doubt he wants to go back to paying Malcolm since that relationship soured.
The reason for Tänak's visit to the M-Sport tent was getting Greensmith's signature :D :D :D
https://twitter.com/richmillener/sta...32393103347713
I don't think those two are the best (let alone by far) for that specific role, the number one in the team who should challenge for the title. Mikkelsen is sort of a modern-day Sordo - great driver in a certain role, but is lacking the critical last few tenths and hundredths required to be in the fight for the title. Evans sure has potential, but it's about time he starts to consistently deliver. Suninen might be a bit too green for the #1 role in 2020 and Meeke seems to have lost his magical speed. Of all the guys mentioned in the quoted post, I'd still say Latvala - given the right circumstances - has the best shot for the title. Even in 2020. What JML needs, is the undeniable leader role in the team, and IF Tänak leaves, it might just be possible. Still a longshot though, but possible.
For start I will repeat that I don't think any of these 5 are a clear number 1 candidate, which is why we are talking about it in the first place.
Anyway out of these Latvala, Meeke and Evans all already were or are (Evans) number 1 driver and only Latvala was really in a title fight. But that year (2017) also showed that the consistency (in speed) wasn't still there, nobody knows how much was that due to the car just not being fast on some rallies and how much was the driver. At that time people most thought it was the car, but last two years showed that it could also have been the driver. (compare tarmac speed on Corsica this year with Tanak and Meeke vs Latvala for example).
Mikkelsen has never been n1, but historically his main problem is that he lacks the last 1/10 of speed to win by. Which is important when win gives 7 more points than 2nd place.
Evans looks like a very good n2 to have in any team to me, but doesn't have consistent speed on more rallies, even though he can win on a few. Note that he is 1 year older than Mikkelsen and basically same number of full season WRC drives.
Obviously it's too early for Suninen to be n1, but maybe the season after. Clearly not a good idea to have something like Suninen + Rovanpera+Katsuta (at Toyota) or Suninen+Greensmith+Tidemand/Paddon (at MSport), those combination just simply lack the experience needed when things are not working perfectly. (see Finland this year)
What if Ogier doesn't continue next year with Citroen.... and retires early
This is interesting, Watch Sordos instagram story, he, Adamo, Tänak and Järveoja having fun with doing arm wrestling :D Instagram.com/danisordorallye
Well the reason they did it because the joke was Tanak was stronger since he's had to drive without power steering hahaha.
is there any real chances of Citroen and/or MSport quitting for 2020 cuz of budgets??
I mean.. I think I finally have the $ to go to Chile or Arg to watch a WRC event for the first time
But it'd be soo terrible if theres only 3 toyotas and 3 hyundais competing =[
And I keep seeing these "Oh but Citroen and Ford may quit cuz its getting to expensive" u'know
Citroen and Msport will be there for 2020, nearly 100%.
Msport are talking about signing Tanak or finding the money for that, instead of worrying about money to keep going. Worst comes to worst it's just pay drivers at Msport. But I see suninen continuing there, Greensmith with some budget, and maybe another driver bringing budget if Evans goes. Think Evans will stay though.
Citroen could in theory maybe pack it in if Ogier drops a bombshell that he doesnt want to continue in 2020, but I still doubt that. I'd be worried about Citroen for 2021 onwards once Ogier definitely goes though....
yes, it s0cks on tarmac, but overally wouldn't be so harsh on it.. Out of 10 rallies, Citroen has 8 podiums(including 2 wins) and two simple mistakes and no points from Ogier in Sweden and Sardegna
Ofcourse the situation is difficult, specially Ogier quitting after next year.. but I think the new hybrid era would interest all the manus + hopefully someone extra..
I don't see Ogier as a guy that would give up earlier when he is so vocal about 2020 end.
Sure he is massively pissed about tarmac, but on gravel he is on podium pace everywhere...and now he won't have to clean the road for a while.
Is he on podium pace everywhere or is that a bit skewed? From the top of my head, I think he was handed Podiums in Argentina by Toyotas problems for Tanak and Meeke (plus Meekes time penalty), and then handed a podium in Portugal as well by Meekes mistake and also Jari's troubles. In Finland he was nowhere, and Sardinia was a horrible rally for him. He's really not at one with the car on a huge number of rallies in my eyes, but ofcourse especially tarmac. You can mention road order but Ogier when totally happy can win/fight for wins on gravel events, even when running first car.
He's just one of the best ever drivers and is getting the absolute maximum out of the package currently, by fighting the car/ being clever on some occasions.
During Rallye Deutschland Mäkinen was quite confident, that they will have another options available if Tänak leaves. If it's going to happen, can we expect Ogier to Toyota? In this case I'm afraid that Citroen quits also.
Citroen is granted for 2020 with the same 2 cars/drivers; all involved (Jackson, Budar, Ogier and Lappi) already confirmed it.
IMO his results on gravel this year are fully compatible with 2017 season at about this point. Sure there were some lucky results, but most are deserved. Just as in 2017.
One of them is the Argentina you mentioned where he was clear 3rd with everyone still in the race and Meeke 13s behind when Meeke hit the side for puncture and Ogier subsequently the gate after heistating which side of the gate to take.
Also in 2017 Tänak was faster in same car at some rallies, a bit similarly to that Lappi had been faster on 2 this year.
I think in that case he will go for a "B" team with a combination of some of Latvala, Evans, Mikkelsen, Suninen and (part season) Sordo with developing Kalle.
That kind of team can have very good chances for manu champ. and Kalle in best case be real title contender in 2 years or so. Don't believe he will try to get Ogier.
Sorry for being late to the party but for what reason should Tänak leave Toyota?
But he's still in a comfortable lead in the championship which has never happend to him before. I can imagine that the issues are annoying but other teams also have issues (of whatever nature). For me to leave is a pure gamble but of course I can't see in his head.
Let's be honest, do you all really believe that Ogier will leave? Even if he get offers from Hyundai or Toyota or Citroen. In the past he has prove that he is constantly playing mind games with all involved in this sport. He is the king of doing that and he is still pretty much competitive everywhere and in every car. It would be stupid to leave even for him. I don't thinks so and I will not be surprised after 2020 season that he will sign another contract.
One thing that we should remember is that Abu Dhabi hinted at a return to WRC in 2020. Maybe they will take their money bags to M-Sport to secure a proper 1st driver? Would there be a clash of sponsorships with Red Bull, or does Citroen even need extra backing anymore?
I think he already said at a press conference that he doesn't care about how the hybrids will become because he's already retired when they are used.
I wouldn't believe for a minute. He drives next season with Citroen and then retires. Period.
Even with redbull backing they run only two cars with full works team. If Abu Dhabi would come back to Citroen I bet they still wouldn't include the third car. And I know they are not aiming for manufacturer championship but it's not fair to the others. FIA should write down they must enter with minimum three cars. Citroen will ruin another two seats at Toyota and Hyundai with their thinking so everyone will run only two cars per event.
Ogier's ultimate motivation to keep going was to beat Loeb's consecutive 9 championship run.
As things are going, I doubt we will see him at any team next year.
Was it though ? Did he say it / imply at some point during his career ? (Seriously asking).
Sordo and Evans in Tommi’s radar?
Ogier and Citröen out?
5 year deal to Kalle in M-Sport?
https://www.sport.delfi.ee/wrc/article.php?id=87233825
Adamo wants more coffee budget. Talks with Martin.
https://www.sport.delfi.ee/wrc/article.php?id=87242211