WRC 2012 Driver Lineup news

h3000

Hirvonen to replace Ogier at Citroen for 2012

There are rumours that Ogier could end up at Ford but VW has also being bounced about.

autosport.com wrote:

Mikko Hirvonen will join long-time championship rival Sebastian Loeb at the Citroen team next year, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Finn had been competing with Ford in the World Rally Championship since the 2003 season, having scored 14 wins in total.

Hirvonen has finished runner-up to Loeb in the championship three times over the past four years.

The Finn will replace Sebastien Ogier at Citroen, the Frenchman expected to be confirmed at Ford.

"Initially contracted until December 2013, Citroen Racing has finally decided to finish their collaboration with Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia at the end of the 2011 season," Citroen said in a statement.

The French car maker said Hirvonen has signed a two-year deal until the end of 2013.

"Seeing Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia leave strikes a particular emotional chord in the whole team," said Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel.

"Citroen Racing trained them, first of all in the JWRC and then in the Citroen Junior Team and the Citroen Total World Rally Team.

"They had a very good season with five victories and third place in the Drivers' World Championship, and they made a productive contribution to the conquest of the manufacturers' title alongside Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena who have claimed their eighth consecutive world crown, a unique achievement in motorsport.

"Now, we're very happy to welcome Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen. They've been our toughest rivals over the last four seasons and we're really looking forward to our future collaboration. Mikko is a talented driver and his consistency will be a big help in our fight to retain the manufacturers' title."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96263

frostie500

Wow, didnt see that coming at all. After so long of wondering which Sebastian would stay at Citreon its good to see them stay loyal to Loeb...but its also hard to understand why they let Ogier leave

Jordan 199

Hirvonen in a Citroen, wow. Will be interesting to see that next year. I'd say Ogier will end up in a Ford.

h3000

frostie500 wrote: »

Wow, didnt see that coming at all. After so long of wondering which Sebastian would stay at Citreon its good to see them stay loyal to Loeb...but its also hard to understand why they let Ogier leave

I wonder will there be a number 1 driver in Citroen. I'd be really suprised if Hirvonen agreed to be number 2 driver and agree to team orders to help Loeb win his ninth title.

I do think Latvala will have a very strong chance at the 2012 title, well I hope so anyway.

chris_c

It was ment to be a swop deal for the two drivers but ford still havent said they will compete in the wrc next year yet so people are now saying Seb is on his way to VW

wobbles

Oiger didnt want to play second fiddle to loeb so threw his toys out of the pram and got out of his contract.

Citroen needed a good driver to support Loeb and Hirvonen is that. Hirvonen is not a good number one, and plays a better supporting role. Hes the best choice for the position as citroens other young charges are not ready yet. Im not convinced Oiger was ever destined to go to Ford, I reckon hes eyeing up the number one seat at VW. If he went to Ford, he would still be joint number 1 driver. Except this time his team-mate will not be retiring in the coming years.

Funny thing is I really think Loeb would have retired, but Oiger provoked him with his comments and attitude. Now Oiger is out and Loeb is champion again

h3000

Apparently there are strong rumours going about that Tänak could get the second Ford seat next year. That's of course if Ford are still there.

De Hipster

Looking forward to seeing JM Latvala as the lead driver in the Ford team next year - he is a long time waiting for the role and a lot more settled and consistant in recent times too.

frostie500

h3000 wrote: »

I wonder will there be a number 1 driver in Citroen. I'd be really suprised if Hirvonen agreed to be number 2 driver and agree to team orders to help Loeb win his ninth title.

I do think Latvala will have a very strong chance at the 2012 title, well I hope so anyway.

Citreon had no issues giving Ogier a free run at most rallies over the last two years so there's no reason to believe it will be any different next year....I'm expecting more fireworks from the intra-team battle next year

Magown3

I find it strange that Ogier was broken out of contract. I get the impression he's a right SH!T!

h3000

frostie500 wrote: »

Citreon had no issues giving Ogier a free run at most rallies over the last two years so there's no reason to believe it will be any different next year....I'm expecting more fireworks from the intra-team battle next year

Aparently when he signed his contract he was told that both drivers would be on an equal status within the team. I think it was three times he was asked to slow down this season. Saying that, I do think that we will always see some sort of team orders in motorsport. Ogier really could have managed the situation better rather than spouting off to the media at stage ends.

h3000

Sebastien Ogier has signed for VW. He will help develop the car in 2012 and will run a full program in 2013. Still no news on Ford'd participation in WRC 2012 but I'd be really surprised if they were not there, but who will get the second seat, I'm thinking Tänak, Østberg or even Petter Solberg

http://www.wrc.com/news/ogier-to-volkswagen/?fid=15827

wrc.com wrote:

Sebastien Ogier will be a Volkswagen driver when the German manufacturer makes its World Rally Championship debut in 2013.

The 27-year-old from France (above right), who severed his ties with Citroen last week, will spend next season developing the firm’s Polo R WRC alongside co-driver Julien Ingrassia (left) after a signing a long-term contract.

“Volkswagen is the number one in Europe and will soon be number one in the world,” said Ogier. “I’m sure that they’re going to compete with the goal of clinching the WRC title. And I’m happy to be part of this from the outset.”

“I am very happy about Sebastian Ogier and Julien Ingrassia joining us,” said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for the Development Division. “Both of them are important pieces of the puzzle on our way towards building a successful team in the World Rally Championship. It is also a mark of confidence for our team if such a strong pairing opts for a new team in the WRC that is still in the process of being developed.”

Volkwagen Motorsport boss Kris Nissen addd: “We are proud that such a successful and quick duo as Sebastian and Julien have decided to join Volkswagen. The aim of putting a competitive Polo R WRC on the road for them as quickly as possible will additionally drive our team. We look forward to working with them and are hoping for many victories and titles in the future.”

Ogier will perform his first public duty as a Volkswagen driver when he takes part in the Race of Champions event in Dusseldorf from 3/4 December.

twincamman

would love to see petter get the ford seat,tannak is too young and ostberg wouldnt have petters pace

h3000

Tanak is older than Jari Matti was when he joined Ford. I would absolutely love Petter to get the seat though.

wobbles

Theres a bit of history between Malcom Wilson and Petter. It would take a lot to get Malcom to let Petter drive a Ford again. But money talks, especially with Wilson.

Best plan would be to bring in Solberg on a year contract, while tanak gets a good solid year in the stobart team. Tanak needs to develop and learn each event. Then bring him into the main team. But things are never simple or fair in rallying. We just have to see if Ford are going to contine first before drivers are announced

Robbo

If Ford pull the plug, I can imagine Solberg being very useful given the budget he can bring. If Malcolm offers him a full works car at a price less than Citroen are charging him, he'd be mad not to take it.

I think Citroen rightly pissed him off this year by starting him in a proper spec DS3 and then giving him squat for the rest of the year.

Were Stobart not meant to be pulling their money as well for 2013? Or just reducing it?

With Ogier, you have to wonder how much development he's actually done with Citroen? Thinking back to the birth of the DS3, who are you going to trust with the development: the man who made the Xsara and C4 dominant or the young lad in his first year in a works seat. He really can't have had too much of a hand in it. VW would be well advised taking on someone experienced with knowledge of current machinery.

h3000

Still no news on Ford's participation. There is a Facebook group/patition at the moment with some top rally drivers adding there support http://www.facebook.com/groups/159136900850976/ .

Some concern has been raised about the WRC in general after Convers Sports Initatives which controls North One Sport Ltd (WRC Promotor) has gon into administration, although North One themselves are not in administration. The FIA and Jean Todt are working on solutions to ensure the commercial future of the WRC. They have decided to put back the time for WRC regristration. They are apparently trying to give teams more time and confidence to commit to the WRC.

FIA wrote:

The World Motor Sport Council discussed the recent developments involving the Championship Promoter, North One Sport, and its parent company, CSI, which has gone into administration. The FIA is committed to ensuring the long-term commercial future of the Championship and will make every endeavour to provide for its future stability. The FIA is working on an immediate plan to ensure the fundamental sporting and safety elements will be in place for the start of the 2012 season.

As a consequence, it was also agreed that the registration date for the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers be put back to 19 December.

dcr22B

Confirmed in the last hour that Ford are in for 2012/2013 and that 2003 world champ Petter Solberg will partner Jari Matti Latvala next season.

Brilloiant stuff, can't wait for the Monte now!

h3000

Excellent news. I think Ford can really push Citroen for the manufactures title next year, the Mini will come back faster next year too. I think the drivers title we be more open too.

it could end up being one of the better WRC seasons in a while.

Jordan 199

Great to see Petter back in a works team. It's getting better for Petter.

liam7831

Solberg is well past it at this stage, im sure he is bringing lots of sponsorship with him to Ford. In fairness he cant really blame the machinery he has had in the last few years. I doubt he will be anywhere near Jarri Matti

twincamman

liam7831 wrote: »

Solberg is well past it at this stage, im sure he is bringing lots of sponsorship with him to Ford. In fairness he cant really blame the machinery he has had in the last few years. I doubt he will be anywhere near Jarri Matti

your probably rite to a point.but the customer car wont be at thesame spec of the works car.and the fact that if he binned it or damaged it was his pocket that was hurt .that all adds up to a difference in pace,i hope he has a good year with ford

De Hipster

Delighted for Petter...he may well perform up with the main field with full works support behind him again, lot to be said for car + team combo. 2012 season looking exciting!

dcr22B

After all of the euphoria of Ford's decision to stay in the WRC comes the news that Kris Meeke has been left high and dry by Prodrive MINI for 2012.

Not impressed and if I still have my 318Ci, it would be in the Car Buyers Guide by the end of the day.

As a result, I won't be watching any DTM next year.

Gutted for Kris and Paul, here's hoping that they at least get something sorted for the Circuit of Ireland.

h3000

dcr22B wrote: »

After all of the euphoria of Ford's decision to stay in the WRC comes the news that Kris Meeke has been left high and dry by Prodrive MINI for 2012.

Gutted for Kris and Paul, here's hoping that they at least get something sorted for the Circuit of Ireland.

That's a shame :mad:

dcr22B wrote: »

Not impressed and if I still have my 318Ci, it would be in the Car Buyers Guide by the end of the day.

As a result, I won't be watching any DTM next year.

Took me a minute

dcr22B

h3000 wrote: »

Took me a minute

You know what I mean smartass

twincamman

A facebook page has been set up

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-K...11931522171175 Pass it around It worked for Ford so it might work for Meeke!
__________________

liam7831

LIGHTNING wrote: »

+1

Petter is also a very likeable person, great to see him get a proper drive.

He is welll past it, its not a popularity contest, just his chequebook keeping him in it

guyfo

liam7831 wrote: »

He is welll past it, its not a popularity contest, just his chequebook keeping him in it

Past it eh? So he has had works cars since he left the shambles that was Subaru has he? Petter has had an uphill struggle against the better spec'd works cars in the pas few years and has got some brilliant results despite that.

As for a budget. Petter has worked himself to the point where he just cant cope anymore. He tried harder than anyone to get sponsors because he loves rallying so much. The only reason petter has any money behind him at all is through his own hard graft over the last few years.

He is by no means a pay driver and anyone who calls him so obviously doesn't have a clue about the sport.

h3000

guyfo wrote: »

Past it eh? So he has had works cars since he left the shambles that was Subaru has he? Petter has had an uphill struggle against the better spec'd works cars in the pas few years and has got some brilliant results despite that.

As for a budget. Petter has worked himself to the point where he just cant cope anymore. He tried harder than anyone to get sponsors because he loves rallying so much. The only reason petter has any money behind him at all is through his own hard graft over the last few years.

He is by no means a pay driver and anyone who calls him so obviously doesn't have a clue about the sport.

Well said.

h3000

Lots of rumors going around that BMW/MINI are about to pull the Prodive contract to run the WRC team. It's just bad news after bad news in the WRC for the last few months. The Eurosport deal is on the rocks too apparently.

http://www.irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00000189&

iRally wrote:

BMW could pull the plug on David Richards' Prodrive MINI WRC as early as tomorrow, according to a report on autosport.com.

Yesterday the website reported Prodrive's Richard Taylor laughing off such rumours:

"That's news to me. There's no question of that, no question at all. The team is on its way to Sweden for the pre-event test as we speak. Mini remains committed to the programme and to supporting customers."

But now a BMW source is quoted:

"The decision has now been taken at board level and will be communicated in due course."

It's not clear what might happen to the existing campaign, nor to Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke, the 2 works drivers. Meeke has been on the bench since before Christmas, sidelined as the team looks for money.

"We all want to see the Mini John Cooper Works WRC out there on the stages and that's what we will see with Prodrive running the cars on Rally Sweden next week."