This weekend, Toyota, which operates in central Finland, has the opportunity to secure the team championship in the World Rally Championship. In the previous race of the season in Catalonia, Toyota needs at least 23 points to decide the championship. It would come, for example, from the 3rd and 4th places in the general competition or from the podium place and the 6th place, so the chances of the championship being decided in Catalonia are good.
The fiercest competitor Hyundai is 81 points behind Toyota. Hyundai’s early season was particularly difficult.
There has been a stir around the team throughout the season. The drivers have not liked the car at all. For example, the Estonian star Ott Tänak has robbed his drivers many times during the season.
The most recent uproar came when the Norwegian-Swedish promise Oliver Solberg received starting passes from the team after the World Rally Championship in New Zealand. Even after Kalle Rova the period of promise compared to its time was very difficult. Perhaps the worst disappointment was seen in the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship, when Solberg drove out in the first corner of the first actual driving day.
Solberg uploaded a hard text In an interview with the Swedish public broadcasting company SVT after that (you will switch to another service), when his departure had been announced. According to Solberg, Hyundai has not had a good atmosphere and considered Hyundai’s actions a tough place.
– However, in a way, it’s nice to be away from all the politics and all the p***** that was in the team, Solberg teased SVT.
In connection with Solberg’s starting passes, Hyundai announced that it would like to have three experienced drivers for next season. According to Solberg, the original plan was something completely different.
– Hyundai said that I would be the only fast young driver who could match Rovanpera. They then later regretted that they could not continue working with me. However, I hope that I will get another chance, Solberg said.
Urheilu asked the temporary team manager of the Hyundai WRC team in connection with the World Rally Championship in Catalonia From Julien Moncet Solberg’s hard claims. Moncet said he disagreed with Solberg.
– We had a good relationship with Oliver. He is a smart guy and gave a lot of feedback so we could develop the car. Maybe the beginning of the season was difficult for him. Step by step we developed and were able to give him the best possible car that suited his style, said Moncet.
The temporary team manager reminded Solberg that he reached his best performances in his last two races, when the world champion by Petter Solberg the boy was fourth in Belgium and fifth in New Zealand.
However, Moncet admits that the difficulties of the early season have been reflected in the team’s atmosphere.
– We were tired and exhausted already at the beginning of the season because we tried to get the cars together in a short time. There was a shortage of parts. The dreams were short-lived, says Moncet.
New hybrid cars entered the World Rally Championship this season. According to Moncet, the team fell behind Toyota at the very beginning of the season, because they were late with the development of new cars.
– Our first prototype was late. We hadn’t had time to ride much before the season’s opening race, Monte. In the beginning, our biggest problem was the reliability of the car. Once we got rid of the reliability issues, we were able to work on performance. This was the biggest problem, says Moncet.
Hyundai keeps quiet about Tänak’s situation
There has been a stir around the team also due to the fact that there is still no information about Ott Tänak’s continuation in the team. Tänak said in September to the Dirtfish website (you will switch to another service)that in his opinion Moncet should not continue to lead the team.
Also the teammate who criticized the team this season Thierry Neuville said earlier this week to Dirtfish that he doesn’t think Tänak will finish his career yet this season. (you switch to another service)
– I know he’s had a bit of a hard time at home, but I think the recent results have given him the necessary motivation, Neuville said, referring to Tänak’s victories in the fall.
– I assume that he, along with everyone else, is waiting to see who will lead our team in the future and so on. I think it plays a big role in Ott’s decision to stay, quit or do something else.
In addition to quitting, there have been other rumors surrounding the 2019 world champion. In addition to continuation and termination, there has been speculation about a transfer to Toyota. Team manager Jari-Matti Latvala has emphasized several times that he is satisfied with his current drivers: Rovanperä, to Elfyn Evans and to those who shared a third car this season to Sebastien Ogier mixed Esapekka to Lapland.
A month ago, Latvala described Tänaki to as a very fast driver who can drive for the world championship.
– But is Tänak the kind of driver who also thinks about the best of the team? You should think about that for him. For Toyota, the brand championship is really important, Latvala said in September.
Moncet told Urheilu before the start of the Catalan World Rally Championship that Hyundai is not currently commenting on Tänak’s situation, but is focusing on the race. He didn’t exactly open up his own future in the team either.
– It has not been defined yet. I can’t say much more about that either, Moncet stated succinctly.
Suninen laughed at the Solberg question
After Solberg’s departure, the World Rally Championship drivers’ game has heated up. Solberg has moved from M-Sport to the wheel of Ford. This season, the Spaniard has shared Hyundai’s third car with Solberg Dani Sordo. The asphalt specialist’s record is tough. Before his home race, Sordo has driven on the podium every time in his five previous World Cup rallies.
However, the situation of 39-year-old Sordo next season is still unclear. Along with Sordo, experienced drivers who have been in the main series for several years without a place to drive have also been speculated to be at the wheel of Hyundai. Andreas Mikkelsen, Chris Meeke and Hayden Paddon.
Also Teemu Suninen the name has come up in rally people’s speculations. Suninen has driven in the WRC2 class with Hyundai. He also has experience in the main class of the World Championship behind the wheel of M-Sport’s Ford.
Has there been any contact?
– Well… Nothing bigger, Suninen thinks for a moment and laughs.
– Let’s see where the situation goes. Now does this mean there are three or four cars? It may be basically bad news for me too, but only time will tell.
Of course, Suninen admits that he is still interested in driving in the main class.
– No need to ask twice. We are ready to go there, Suninen concludes.
‘s broadcast information from the World Rally Championship in Catalonia:
Thursday 20.10.
Foreboding moods at 21:00 TV2
Friday 21.10.
Friday’s highlights at 21.50 TV2
Saturday 22.10.
EK 11 (24.18 km) at 11:30 TV2
EK 14 (24.18 km) at 17:00 TV2
Saturday highlights at 21:20 TV2
Sunday 23.10.
EK 17 (15.90 km) at 09.00 Areena (Uusinta TV2 at 10:00 a.m.)
Rally highlights & EK 19 Power Stage (15.90 km) at 13.00 TV2