The bigger issue IMO is that we’re already stretching the limits of credulity with the marketing value of Rally1 (or whatever marketing value is left in rallying in general these days), given the hybrid units are completely spec at the moment.
Yes. Something Gerard Quinn has been banging on about since the introduction of the hybrids; a standard part made by an outside supplier; so there is very little marketing selling 'hybrid'. But the WRC never get anything right, so who is surprised?
Loubet‘s going full-time for next year, with Nicolas Gilsoul in the co-driver‘s seat.
I‘m enourmously pleased for PLL and this is a great reward for the way he’s rebuilt his career this year. Biggest questionmark now is what happens to Greensmith? Given his funding, he seemed safe, but maybe now we can estimate the extent of Ford‘s Tänak-inspired involvement by the kind of deal he gets…
Also, Oliver Solberg was confirmed for a Toksport-run programme in the new Fabia Rally2 today.
Loubet‘s going full-time for next year, with Nicolas Gilsoul in the co-driver‘s seat.
I‘m enourmously pleased for PLL and this is a great reward for the way he’s rebuilt his career this year. Biggest questionmark now is what happens to Greensmith? Given his funding, he seemed safe, but maybe now we can estimate the extent of Ford‘s Tänak-inspired involvement by the kind of deal he gets…
It was a couple of though years being a random Loubet-fan, but hopefully 2023 will build on 2022!
Greensmith can still do a full season in the 3rd car, if he has the funding, nothing is impossible. Loubet comes with a tiny bit of money as well.
It will be interesting to see the difference in attitdue from M-Sport though, they haven't been good at man management the last few years, and as he's now an M-Sport driver and not just a customer, Loubet will have to deal with that.
Ott Tänak has given a long interview just a couple of days ago:
Its in Estonian, but a few interesting points. Just a disclaimer as well. Tänak does not seem to be complaining, rather stating facts and opinions rather reluctantly - if you do not understand Estonian, you can see his body language and hear the tone of voice. He is not volunteering any of this information without a question.
- The 2022 Hyunday car was homologated without a single km on gravel as Neuville crashed the car into a river before the gravel test could be made and no other chassis was available.
- The car had a lot of small problems in the beginning. Smth was always broken on every stage
- Up until Rally Finland there were supply chain problems and lack of spare parts.
- In Rally Greece the team forbade Tänak to fight Neuville for the win, even though Tänak was mathematically in contention for the title. But the car also had mechanical issues.
- Decision to cut the contract short with Hyundai was based on a huge amount of ambiguity from the team on various matters, incl. no team boss. It was a bit of an emotional decision as well, as Tänak had lost the love for Hyundai and went to rallies reluctantly
- Tänak had no contacts with M-Sport for 2023 before he cut the ties with Hyundai. The decision was new for Malcolm Wilson. BUT, Malcolm had showed interest to Tänak all the time. Tänak feels Malcolm really wanted to turn the teams fortunes around by signing Tänak.
- After Tänak cut ties with Hyundai, Wilson called Tänak. Tänak tested the car and inquired about M-Sports current ambitions in WRC.
- Tänak has run the car, but will not really have a lot of testing opportunities so the start of season will be rough.
- The contract is for 1 year.
- Tänak had an opportunity to run a partial season with a team (probably Toyota), but said he was not interested in partial season.
- When Tänak ends his career, then he wants to help new Estonian drivers to reach the WRC.
- Tänak says he has not burnt any bridges in any team he has driven for. The rally circles are very small and it would not be smart to ruin relationships.
M-Sport has announced three cars but only two drivers for Rally Monte Carlo. Is Loeb going to make an appearance?
Meanwhile Toyota tells they have a customer car available when Ogier is not running. And since Greensmith has not been announced by M-Sport, Latvala just disclosed Gus and his support team have been asking questions about using that customer Toyota next year. Latvala also disclosed that there has been a lot of other contacts on top of Greensmith's for that customer car drive.
EDIT: No Loeb for Monte Carlo. That's a pity. M-Sport has announced Serderidis will drive the third (his own) car.
M-Sport has announced Serderidis will drive the third (his own) car.
Question is, will he be registered to score points as an actual third car, or will M-Sport do like they have done previously when Serderidis was the 3rd Ford, just not register him, and lose out on manufacturer points when one of the 2 registered drivers retire.
How come M-Sport can suddenly afford Tanak and to drop Greensmith? Did Ford increase their investment by a lot?
He was cheap probably since he had no other choice whatsoever. Would be a factor for a couple of events, but no WC anymore I think. It's sad that he could have won so much with Toyota (I was rooting for him at that time) but his personality got in his way.
He doesn't cause issues for other drivers, nor "steal" a place, so why not let him have some fun ^^
If M-Sport wanted to run a car for him, at his expense and as a commercial venture separate from their real WRC team, then great. But he is in fact occupying one of the very few Rally 1 seats that should be in use in contention for the championship, and as such, he is effectively 'stealing' a place. Why can't he just run a Rally 2 car like so many others? It would be cheaper and he wouldn't look like a complete numpty when he is visibly minutes off the pace.
If that is the case, then good for him, as I said. It leaves M-Sport fielding just two cars though, and we need a LOT more to make this a credible championship, let alone World Championship
If that is the case, then good for him, as I said. It leaves M-Sport fielding just two cars though, and we need a LOT more to make this a credible championship, let alone World Championship
There's no doubt the current cars are spectacular. It's definitely mission accomplished in that regard. The question remains over whether they will ever be cost-competitive enough to attract new manufacturers.
And whether the Rally2/R5s with more power would be equally as spectacular, and attractive to the manufacturers already supporting Rally 2, or the privateers already running in the category.
Given the huge capital being poured into EVs by car makers, making the sport more appealing on cost grounds may have to end up winning out over any environmental goals they might be aiming for with hybrid.
The customer Toyota that will be available when Ogier is not driving will be used by Lorenzo Bertelli in Rally Sweden.
That's a bit disappointing piece of news: I would have liked to see some new talent to get experience in WRC car rather than a straight up pay per drive deal.