[WRC] Rally Sweden 2025

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/XrlBVtbJ4-M

https://youtu.be/Hp2E3z1XDbY

And Passats video https://youtu.be/LNKhFjcOFk4?si=pSABNWpnZA1KVVvh

[Myrvold]

Which tells more about Tanak, Ogier or your character than you might realise.

Yep. I know that the Norwegian word "skitt" is used for many things, like if something is dusty, dirty etc. "skitt" is the word used. If it you are describing something poor and "sad", you can use "skitt" in that sentence without issues. If something is scrap/junk, it is "skitt". If you don't clean the "skitt" is getting bigger, if you are saying "oh well", you can easily say "skitt au". If something isn't important "skitt, la gå" is often used etc. etc.
Skitt is pronounced exactly like "sh*t".
It's even used in sentences to wish good luck...

I know that one of the more casual words in Norwegian, with 0.0% levels of swearing, is one of the bad words. So, I usually are able to avoid using it. But put a mic in to my car after pushing hard, or been in a massive fight in a race on a circuit, before I've even had time to calm down... it is very likely I would blurt out a "sh*t" or two.

But, everyone should probably be as perfect and clean spoken in several languages as you are I guess?

[Morte66]

And Passats video https://youtu.be/LNKhFjcOFk4?si=pSABNWpnZA1KVVvh

Passats must shoot everything using daylight white balance, so they capture the changing light throughout the day. I like this better than the textbook approach of adjusting the camera to equalise the colour all the time, it's so much more atmospheric.

[BlueStrike]

Well, the Fourmaux stuff made me annoyed enough to finally create an account here after years of lurking in the event threads.

Evening, everyone.

To the issue at hand: Maybe instead of chasing brownie points for performative puritanism, MBS & Co. should focus on making the series under their remit objectively better. Given how woefully they have failed at that with WRC – despite that being one of the more explicit talking points of his and Reid‘s campaign – I hope the voting members let someone else give it a go next time.

Given the larger realities at play in FIA politics, though, I know it‘s not going to happen unless Verstappen quits F1 over the swearing ban or something equally ridiculous derails the reelection bid.

On the rally: Genuinely floored by Elfyn for the first time in a long time. Overcame adversity this morning and was great throughout the event, although I would‘ve wanted Taka to win a bit more. Rovanperä will likely come around, although if he struggles on gravel as well the speed of his adaption to the tyres will likely decide the strength of his title challenge.

The Hyundais were… underwhelming overall. Neuville had a mostly clean event and finished as top Hyundai, but his result and points total may have been flattered by Tänak‘s issues and, once again, underwhelming Power Stage. Credit for what was still quite a good performance, though – he was there when it counted the most.

Tänak likely could‘ve won on speed and have had more stage wins on Saturday. That doesn’t detract from the fact that his PS performance was weak, as mentioned, given that the stage was clearly not getting slower, as evidenced by the three guys behind him. Dropping important points on Sunday has become a theme for him over the last months. I am unsure if there were aftereffects of the engine situation – going off the telemetry from the broadcast, top speed wasn’t an issue at least. Let’s see if we are allowed to know more over the next few days.

Fourmaux was the architect of his own downfall. He had many moments on the Monte, small and big, while pushing the car to and perhaps over the maximum. Now a stupid mistake and another moment as a reaction to that caught up to him. He‘s clearly adapted well to the Hyundai and the Hankooks, but may still require a lesson or two in risk management before he‘s championship-ready.

The Fords were also there, I guess. McErlean is growing on me, he showed quite competitive speed and was already a match for Munster. Definitely a more promising event than his Monte in terms of raw performance. Sesks was about where I would‘ve expected him to be. Shame that the guy who looks like the quickest man to drive a Puma this year will only be on half the rallies.

Finally, I‘m allowing myself a bit of national pride seeing that Claire Schönborn won the ticket for the full Junior WRC season. Let‘s see if it leads anywhere, but it‘s a nice story for German rallying at the World Championship level. There are few enough of those going around as it is.

Looking ahead, the Hyundai drivers already need a massively positive event in Kenya to stay in touch with Evans. Based on the previous reliability of the car, that seems unlikely to happen, although Evans also has unfortunate incidents in his Safari past. Predicting this rally is near impossible, anyways, maybe even the Toyotas will finally show some weaknesses.

[Eli]

Well, the Fourmaux stuff made me annoyed enough to finally create an account here after years of lurking in the event threads.

Evening, everyone.

To the issue at hand: Maybe instead of chasing brownie points for performative puritanism, MBS & Co. should focus on making the series under their remit objectively better. Given how woefully they have failed at that with WRC – despite that being one of the more explicit talking points of his and Reid‘s campaign – I hope the voting members let someone else give it a go next time.

Given the larger realities at play in FIA politics, though, I know it‘s not going to happen unless Verstappen quits F1 over the swearing ban or something equally ridiculous derails the reelection bid.

On the rally: Genuinely floored by Elfyn for the first time in a long time. Overcame adversity this morning and was great throughout the event, although I would‘ve wanted Taka to win a bit more. Rovanperä will likely come around, although if he struggles on gravel as well the speed of his adaption to the tyres will likely decide the strength of his title challenge.

The Hyundais were… underwhelming overall. Neuville had a mostly clean event and finished as top Hyundai, but his result and points total may have been flattered by Tänak‘s issues and, once again, underwhelming Power Stage. Credit for what was still quite a good performance, though – he was there when it counted the most.

Tänak likely could‘ve won on speed and have had more stage wins on Saturday. That doesn’t detract from the fact that his PS performance was weak, as mentioned, given that the stage was clearly not getting slower, as evidenced by the three guys behind him. Dropping important points on Sunday has become a theme for him over the last months. I am unsure if there were aftereffects of the engine situation – going off the telemetry from the broadcast, top speed wasn’t an issue at least. Let’s see if we are allowed to know more over the next few days.

Fourmaux was the architect of his own downfall. He had many moments on the Monte, small and big, while pushing the car to and perhaps over the maximum. Now a stupid mistake and another moment as a reaction to that caught up to him. He‘s clearly adapted well to the Hyundai and the Hankooks, but may still require a lesson or two in risk management before he‘s championship-ready.

The Fords were also there, I guess. McErlean is growing on me, he showed quite competitive speed and was already a match for Munster. Definitely a more promising event than his Monte in terms of raw performance. Sesks was about where I would‘ve expected him to be. Shame that the guy who looks like the quickest man to drive a Puma this year will only be on half the rallies.

Finally, I‘m allowing myself a bit of national pride seeing that Claire Schönborn won the ticket for the full Junior WRC season. Let‘s see if it leads anywhere, but it‘s a nice story for German rallying at the World Championship level. There are few enough of those going around as it is.

Looking ahead, the Hyundai drivers already need a massively positive event in Kenya to stay in touch with Evans. Based on the previous reliability of the car, that seems unlikely to happen, although Evans also has unfortunate incidents in his Safari past. Predicting this rally is near impossible, anyways, maybe even the Toyotas will finally show some weaknesses.

First off, welcome to the forum, nice to have a new member, regarding Kenya, Toyota might possibly fill in the ranks with Ogier as it’s a place he loves. In any case, I certainly wouldn’t bet against them, especially if Hyundai are reluctant to have a 4th car this year; with already being 48 points behind and a driver that needs to realise that to finish first (or 3rd for that matter) first you must finish. Taken all that into account while also having Estonia back as a stronghold for Toyota, I seriously doubt Hyundai will be able to mount a proper challenge, especially with Ott not being as competitive as he was during his Toyota years…
Just as a reference, this time last year, Hyundai won 2/2 events…

[Eli]

Said not to say anything more, but it is just an extra..

How ironic or sarcastic or idiotic or dumbfckistic it is.. that there are similarities between people who have liked rallying/cars for tens of years, praised all the glory of ,,plastic monster cars-era'' and not blinking an eye of the fans standing in the middle of the road etc.. drivers smoking cigaretts(omg)...
(Including many deaths, sorry for all of them)..
and now many of them have moved to EV's and think that everybody else are scumbags and every common f or n word should be punished..
Although years ago they were the same.. just now and at the moment they have ro right themselves

NOW it is really the end of rant. Good luck fja and those who praise them. I hope in Kenya there are mute interviews..

I know we said this in the other thread already but the only ones I’d mute (given the option) are the commentators…

[Mary Mary]

But, everyone should probably be as perfect and clean spoken in several languages as you are I guess?

For €30,000 fine and in professional circumstances, yes, I would be clean spoken in the language I am fluent enough to understand. How many of you swear in professional circumstances? None, else tell me what happened. I know my company has codes of conduct including this topic.

Fourmaux had 24 hours to consider his words. Not discounting that there will be emotionally charged moments in this sport, but I think that excuse is overstated. There are 60 seconds between the stop line and speaking. 30 seconds between spotting the camera and speaking. 10 seconds between the reporter with microphone opening the door and speaking. There is now a rule in place, perhaps the co-driver can take on a role of coaching the driver as a professional exercise that happens 20 times per rally.

I don't want to make this a point but more of an open question, is it an English as a second language problem? I don't remember Elfyn Evans swearing or petulantly protesting being silenced. Did Craig Breen, Gus Greensmith?

[deephouse]

Someone previously said that WRC need to build the characters. Well we didn't need to wait long for another non-sense fine from FIA. How the characters will be build if soon no one would want to talk on camera at all. Basicaly anything they do is wrong. It's just a lottery at each event who will win "the big prize" from FIA.

What is actualy purpose of FIA again? Safety? Running few championships? Turning money? Screwing everything up? Oh right, put Saudi Arabia on every series... But it's not just here. F1 have big issues also and it's the biggest series they run (they lick their fingers the most from that championship). What if they actualy do their job and not destroy everything and ACTUALY make everything, I mean everything that no one will die from their championships.

I previously said the biggest villain and the cause for current form in which the WRC is in, are they, the FIA. I know, that probably WRC would not exist if not by them. But I think that WRC world is so big (despite hanging on thin line to kill itself), that even if FIA wouldn't be around or be "the big boss", it could actualy survive on it's own. Also believe that some other stakeholders would eventualy came around and bought it.

It's a joke.

[Myrvold]

For €30,000 fine and in professional circumstances, yes, I would be clean spoken in the language I am fluent enough to understand. How many of you swear in professional circumstances? None, else tell me what happened. I know my company has codes of conduct including this topic.

Fourmaux had 24 hours to consider his words. Not discounting that there will be emotionally charged moments in this sport, but I think that excuse is overstated. There are 60 seconds between the stop line and speaking. 30 seconds between spotting the camera and speaking. 10 seconds between the reporter with microphone opening the door and speaking. There is now a rule in place, perhaps the co-driver can take on a role of coaching the driver as a professional exercise that happens 20 times per rally.

I don't want to make this a point but more of an open question, is it an English as a second language problem? I don't remember Elfyn Evans swearing or petulantly protesting being silenced. Did Craig Breen, Gus Greensmith?

I genuinely think you should start some personal coaching if you're not already.
Going from full of adrenaline to calm as a cucumber and in full control in 90-ish seconds (while also looking for times and stuff), and being perfect in several languages in that time. You are sitting on something you can make great money on.

I mean, you can at times see the drivers physically shaking during end of stage interviews, and still, somehow manage to make a relatively articulated answer in a language they are far from mastering. Then a (in relative terms, small) slip-up is a massive fine... Then it is better to just don't do any end of stage interviews.

And obviously it is a "English as a second language "problem"". It is much easier to steer it in the mother tongue than in a secondary or third language.

Lastly, "all live" is even broadcasted with a delay, if it such an issue, have a bleep ready.

[focus206]

I don't want to make this a point but more of an open question, is it an English as a second language problem? I don't remember Elfyn Evans swearing or petulantly protesting being silenced. Did Craig Breen, Gus Greensmith?

Evans and the others were raised speaking English, they know that saying f@ck is a no no for your culture, and can express things in other ways. When you ask Fourmaux or any other driver that doesn't speak English as 1st language, you should consider that:
they are not as fluent in English and might struggle to express things + in English there's this small f word that you can insert at basically any point of a sentence to express big frustration or anger (not all languages work like that, in some languages you'd need to go out of your way to insert swear words in certain sentences) + some cultures just don't care as much about swear words as English speaking people.
It's the duality of having rap songs or rappers that swear twice every second, but then any swear word in more professional settings are taboos, which is not something that happens in every country.