real life 2020 FIA World Rally Championship

[function9 0]

Wow, no Loeb in 2019, at least in a C3. Perhaps seeing him in a Fiesta for a few rounds next year isn't as far fetched as I once thought. It's the only team I could see willing to give up a seat for 3-4 rounds.

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140455/loeb-wont-get-citroen-wrc-outings-in-2019

[juu1ius 5]

I hope Martini will pack M-Sport now that they departed from Williams F1 team, that would big help and who knows maybe idd we can see Loeb in Fiesta.
Btw, I'm not sure how many of you guys have seen this, but apparently MM-Sport is selling brand new Skoda Fabia R5. MM-Sport has always used Fiestas and they are the team who are taking care of Toyotas rally youngsters. So why MM-Sport bought new Fabia R5 car just  to sell it with out driving it? #YarisR5 https://rallycarsforsale.net/ads/skoda-fabia-r5-260/ 

[sqdstr 107]

So rumours are now that Hyundai is also trying to offer Loeb a contract for next season to drive on select WRC rallies.

*Edit*: Apparantly Breen is also in talks with M-Sport & Hyundai

Sources:
-  Loeb & Hyundai: http://www.sports.fr/auto-moto/rallyes-wrc/articles/rallye-loeb-avec-hyundai-en-2019-2335559/

-  Breen: "Citroen's two-car plans also leaves Craig Breen without the chance to remain at the team, although he is still in negotiations with Hyundai and M-Sport for 2019."
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140455/loeb-wont-get-citroen-wrc-outings-in-2019

[pigloaf 243]

Positive noises for Paddon - looking more and more like a repeat of last year for Hyundai https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140552/hyundai-denies-deal-with-loeb-done

[Pfei 106]

edgenz said:

Positive noises for Paddon - looking more and more like a repeat of last year for Hyundai https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140552/hyundai-denies-deal-with-loeb-done

And Loeb in limbo... 

[RodgerDavies 937]

http://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/25265/porsche-just-needs-100-orders-to-make-the-cayman-rally-car-a-reality

Anyone fancy ordering a Cayman RGT...?

Really hope this becomes reality.

[tbtstt 2,405]

Loeb to Hyundai in 2019? 

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140632/loeb-signs-hyundai-2019-wrc-deal

[bogani 761]

tbtstt said:

Loeb to Hyundai in 2019? 

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/140632/loeb-signs-hyundai-2019-wrc-deal

Since it's a trust worthy source I think you can remove the question mark. 
 B) 

[Dytut 91]

Wonder what they'll do with the rest of the driver lineup. My guess would be they'd either axe Paddon completely, or they'll cycle four drivers in two cars over the season. Of those options, I'd wager on them rotating all four drivers. Loeb will probably not do more than 4-6 events, so leaves more events for the other three already.

[function9 0]

I thought I remembered previously reading Paddon had signed for a full drive and it wasn't Hyundai? And I would've thought Mikkelsen had a full season too, but maybe not. I didn't think Hyundai before because that would mean Sordo and Loeb trading the 3rd car, but there's some rallies that they would both want to do.

Looks like at least Suninen is still at M-Sport. Saw some footage of him testing. The Fiesta has some new aero at the back wheel arches. Looks like a mix of the old and the newer ones that Ogier sported a couple times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AVfczw9bcU

[carpa 303]

function9 said:

I thought I remembered previously reading Paddon had signed for a full drive and it wasn't Hyundai? And I would've thought Mikkelsen had a full season too, but maybe not. I didn't think Hyundai before because that would mean Sordo and Loeb trading the 3rd car, but there's some rallies that they would both want to do.

Looks like at least Suninen is still at M-Sport. Saw some footage of him testing. The Fiesta has some new aero at the back wheel arches. Looks like a mix of the old and the newer ones that Ogier sported a couple times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AVfczw9bcU

I remember he said in a IG story that his hope was to get a program with Hyundai, because of how they back him in New Zealand. Then who knows, I hope he gets a good offer anywhere and goes for it because he deserves it, in my opinion 

[RodgerDavies 937]

Paddon said his only option is Hyundai. If the Loeb deal is true, and they confirmed Mikkelsen for Monte Carlo a week ago, it remains to be seen if Paddon will have a drive. Hopefully he will, because he and Sordo really outshone Mikkelsen last year, but if not I hope he gets a full run in WRC2 Pro to sell the R5.

[Dytut 91]

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/december/loeb-hyundai/page/5952--12-12-.html <- incredibly official now. Biggest thing is that he will start at Monte, which Hyundai said earlier that they will not have any changes in lineup for :-P So guess all bets are off.

[carpa 303]

Dytut said:

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/december/loeb-hyundai/page/5952--12-12-.html <- incredibly official now. Biggest thing is that he will start at Monte, which Hyundai said earlier that they will not have any changes in lineup for :-P So guess all bets are off.

Full season for Neuville and Mikkelsen, 6 rounds for Loeb and eight for Sordo. It is unclear what Paddon will do in the meantime, and that's a shame

[RallyDriven 398]

carpa said:

Dytut said:

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/december/loeb-hyundai/page/5952--12-12-.html <- incredibly official now. Biggest thing is that he will start at Monte, which Hyundai said earlier that they will not have any changes in lineup for :-P So guess all bets are off.

Full season for Neuville and Mikkelsen, 6 rounds for Loeb and eight for Sordo. It is unclear what Paddon will do in the meantime, and that's a shame

Big shame, especially if mikkelsen produces another mediocre season like he did this year

edit: if anyone here is over on reddit, there’s a few people trying to get r/WRC active again, so check it out!

[Dytut 91]

Ah, the article was updated since I posted it. Shame about Paddon, but I can see how Hyundai wants to see if Mikkelsen can improve given another full season. 

Edit: Oh, it's a two year deal for Loeb. That was a bit unexpected. 

[mimimomo 57]

 :'( 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/motorsport/109370937/no-world-rally-championship-ride-for-kiwi-driver-hayden-paddon-in-2019

[pigloaf 243]

Paddon deserved more from Hyundai to be honest. Really disappointing. Hopefully Mads and Paddon can stay sharp and capitalise on any chances that might arise during the season... *cough* Andreas *cough*

[JorritVD 1,249]

Also Kevin Abbring deserved more from Hyundai, but never got the real opportunity compared to Paddon. 

[pigloaf 243]

JorritVD said:

Also Kevin Abbring deserved more from Hyundai, but never got the real opportunity compared to Paddon. 

The curse of Seb Marshall? I predict Meeke will be dropped within the year. ?

[Dytut 91]

So with VW exiting WRX aswell... M-Sport can snatch Solberg for a return to battle with Loeb on select rallies. Come on M-Sport, make it happen! :-D 

[juu1ius 5]

Dytut said:

So with VW exiting WRC aswell... M-Sport can snatch Solberg for a return to battle with Loeb on select rallies. Come on M-Sport, make it happen! :-D 

WRX? but yeah, that would be cool. 

[Dytut 91]

juu1ius said:

Dytut said:

So with VW exiting WRC aswell... M-Sport can snatch Solberg for a return to battle with Loeb on select rallies. Come on M-Sport, make it happen! :-D 

WRX? but yeah, that would be cool. 

My bad, meant to write WRX but slipped a button :-)

[tbtstt 2,405]

Dytut said:

So with VW exiting WRX aswell... M-Sport can snatch Solberg for a return to battle with Loeb on select rallies. Come on M-Sport, make it happen! :-D 

Haha, wishful thinking there! I think VW will have Petter running in the Polo R5 this year. 

[F2CMaDMaXX 507]

Remember it's the PSRX team that run/ran works VW's - their team isn't dissolving, just the WRX entry - though i think he'll maybe enter some R5 stuff this coming year.