WRC 2022

[DC.]

WRC | Hyundai 2023: arriva Lappi e torna Breen

Hyundai Motorsport ha scelto i piloti che sostituiranno Tanak e Solberg. Si tratta di Esapekka Lappi, in arrivo da Toyota, e Craig Breen, che ritorna ad Alzenau dopo appena un anno passato con M-Sport.

t.co

 

[RallyCiaran]

Why is there no new talent coming through, there must be someone worth a punt?

Solberg won the BRC rally last weekend by nearly 2 minutes. Doesn't make much sense that Hyundai wouldn't give him another year.
The step up Rovanpera took in 2022 was incredible. Maybe Solberg would have made a similar step with another year in the car.

 

[DC.]

Unfortunately it’s a money issue I would say.

Teams can’t always afford to let the younger guys learn (crash) and just accept it as they know they’ll come good.

M-Sport’s repair bill this season must have been huge.

Plus I think the jump from Rally2 to Rally1 is a bigger deal than ever so that alone makes it difficult for the younger guys.

 

[Graham]

Yeah, it's definitely to do with money. 80% of those driving at the top are bringing $millions/season to get their seat.

There is only so much money the bank of Dad and his rich business friends who sponsor you can cough up. Especially when smashing the cars on 50% of the season.

Unlike F1, where young talent is poached from Karting, with Hamilton being a prime example as Mercedes nabbed him from an early age. There just isn't the same money around rally to get the young talent through feeder series' and get to the top, sadly.

 

[gpaevo]

One less Hyundai.
Unfortunately, with batteries in that car it was never going to be extinguished. Best thing is stand back and let it burn.

 

[fergalmagee]

Anyone know what happened to breen?

 

[gpaevo]

Anyone know what happened to breen?

Binned it stage 4

 

[fergalmagee]

Binned it stage 4

 

[DC.]

 

[gpaevo]

Inevitable

 

[fergalmagee]

Will he find a seat with another team next season?

 

[DC.]

Hyundai. Probably share a seat with someone.

Where did it go wrong for Breen at M-Sport? – DirtFish

WRC – It should have been a marriage made in heaven, but instead it turned out to be a disaster

dirtfish.com

 

[fergalmagee]

He’s now gone from being number 1 driver at m-sport to being potentially second or third driver again at Hyundai and just bring the car home to score points for the team

 

[WSK]

Heard whispers of Breen going to Hyundai, before Tanaks news came out, hmm

Claiming i called it! lol..

Great pilot though, hoping he finds his groove if he does go to Hyundai - the wins will come

 

[AidanMcG]

If back to Hyundai as reported, should lift the No. 1 driver pressure off him and allow for him to capture the form of the past few seasons. Potentially share a car with Sordo in 2023 and then full time in 2024.

It’s also crazy to think that this year was his first full season given how long he’s been driving at the top level

 

[gpaevo]

Read an article this morning suggesting Oliver to M-Sport.

Mind you, the same article was flaming Breen for not being good enough for the car and team when Loeb won first time out in it with only limited testing.

 

[DC.]

Probably all depends on Tanak. If he returns then M-Sport will just use the same squad as this year minus Craig.

If decides not to return then M-Sport need a lead driver. Mikkelsen would be my choice out of the crop that’s available.

Solberg will likely do select rounds, budget depending. Be good for him to compete in Rally2 for M-Sport too.

 

[Graham]

Meeke and Breen are both evidence of the pressures of being a team's #1 driver brings. They are both world champion material, but just don't have lady luck when push comes to shove.

 

[cauld1]

Breen confirmed sharing the third car with Sordo for Hyundai. Neuville and Lappi full time seats next year.

 

[AidanMcG]

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Presents 2023 Rally Team Setups | 2022 | PRESS RELEASE | TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced on November 18 its domestic and international rally entry structure and the outline of TGR Rally Challenge for the 2023 season.

toyotagazooracing.com

Toyota also confirmed - Katsuta and Ogier to share the third car but Katsuta is still full time so will be in the second team on events where Ogier is competing with Rovanpera and Evans full time.

Was hoping Ogier would’ve went for a full season, especially with the co-driver change but not to be

 

[KevM]

I really wanted to see Ott back in a Yaris, but its more likely that he is going to ruin his 2023 in the Puma-pig

 

[fergalmagee]

BREAKING: Hyundai springs surprise in 2023 line-up

Esapekka Lappi will drive for Hyundai Motorsport in the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship, as will Craig Breen - who returns to the squad on a part-time basis.

www.wrc.com

 

[DC.]

Talk of Monster Energy sponsoring Oliver Solberg to drive for M-Sport next year. No surprise given his history with them.

Wonder if they’ll back Tanak too?

 

[KevM]

So they reckon.

 

[Graham]

Can't see Block getting too involved now that he is affiliated to Audi. Though saying that, he's campaigning a Hyundai WR Car in the states this season.