Citroen opt for Sainz !!!!!!!!!!

SJ Spode · 12 Sep 2003, 15:37 (Ref:716559)

World Rally News are reporting that Citroen have given Carlos Sainz the 2nd works Xsara seat

Details at http://www.worldrallynews.com/cgi-bi...3379518,94650,

Liz · 12 Sep 2003, 16:21 (Ref:716618)

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

I like Sainz a lot better than I like McRae ... and especially since at the beginning of last year he had to fight for his seat (against people who called him "too old") and he proved himself worthy.

GO CARLOS!

**touringlegend** · 12 Sep 2003, 16:30 (Ref:716627)

Nice one - I regard Carlos a far better driver than Colin anyway. I assume it's purely based on Telefonica's money being available if Sainz was given the drive?

**garcon** · 12 Sep 2003, 16:39 (Ref:716637)

I don't doubt the Telefonica money helps, but I really don't believe that's a factor in retaining Carlos. Is he a better driver than Colin? Depends on how you measure it. He's certainly more consistent, and he's proved he's still competitive. I reckon they see Carlos as their key man for a shot at the manufacturer's title. Like Burnsy, he always seems to pick up points. It takes speed and experience to do that.

rdjones · 12 Sep 2003, 17:45 (Ref:716721)

I have too i'm not suprised. Can not see a seat for Colin, so IMO he will joining Tommi in retirement.

BootsOntheSide · 12 Sep 2003, 18:27 (Ref:716783)

Carlos can do far more than Colin, as the table suggests, so Citroen have made the right decision. It's a little sad that Colin will be forced out, but he could be okay in some other motorsport. Either than or live off the Codemasters money. One title was all he was worth, whereas Carlos can gun for a deserved fourth.

Knowlesy · 12 Sep 2003, 18:47 (Ref:716806)

I thought Carlos was a double champ?

Super Tourer · 12 Sep 2003, 19:06 (Ref:716822)

I think Colin dumped it off the road too many times to be part of a two car point scoring team. You don't get any points for being in the ditch.

MichaelC · 12 Sep 2003, 19:47 (Ref:716870)

I'm going to be controversial again, I ususally tend to be.

To be honest, I've never thought that McRae was actaully that good. He does seem to throw it off the road, or do other stupid things, quite often. He's a bit like Damon Hill was in F1: you know he's got talent, he's proved he can win, but he never really delivers like it's hyped that he's going to.
How many titles has Damon Hill got? Now, how many has Michael Schumacher got?
How many titles has Colin McRae got? Now, how many has Tommi got?

See what I mean? Plenty of people have won a title, it takes something special to keep winning...

**garcon** · 12 Sep 2003, 20:43 (Ref:716926)

That's not very controversial, Michael!

I think you've got it right there - in terms of raw talent I believe McRae has bucketloads, it's just that he doesn't seem to have that bit extra, the psychological edge that turns talent into multiple championships.

I think those predicting his retirement from WRC are being a bit previous. I'm sure he'll get a semi-works/private drive in 2004, and maybe without the pressures of a full works drive we'll see the Colin of old - winning stages by 30 seconds instead of ending the rally upside down in a hedge...

**touringlegend** · 12 Sep 2003, 21:28 (Ref:716954)

I'd agree with Michael's post.

We all agree everybody in the WRC has some very special talent, just those few who have the extra little edge..

Anyway I'm sure the ditches/hedges of the WRC stages will be happy next year.

MichaelC · 13 Sep 2003, 19:07 (Ref:717685)

It's so nice to see some people agree with me. I think I'm going to print this thread, frame the thing and stick it on my wall

Colin has already said he wants a drive with a top team, and he'd rather quit than drive for Hyuandi. I therefore don't think you'll see him privateering. However, I'm usually wrong, so let's see.
He certainly isn't going anywhere near NASCAR...

Note to self: LEARN TO SPELL...

**touringlegend** · 13 Sep 2003, 20:44 (Ref:717815)

Maybe he can come back to the BTCC and the old buddies he made on track 10 years ago, such as Matt Neal..

MichaelC · 14 Sep 2003, 21:24 (Ref:718848)

Well given Matt Neal's ability for crashing into things, perhaps he should be looking at WRC.
IIRC, Matt Neal didn't take too kindly to being hit, which sounds a bit Pot/Kettle/Black to me...

SJ Spode · 15 Sep 2003, 08:13 (Ref:719231)

It seems that the decision has been purely commercial. Whether the Telefonica money helps, but apparently Carlos is helping shift more Citroens in Spain than Colin is in the UK.

worldrallynews are reporting that McRae was told that his contract would not be renewed on August 20. It appears that the decision was taken by Citroen Chairman Claude Satinet. The British importer’s reluctance to use McRae in marketing or advertising is thought to have been a factor.

This is a timely reminder that manufacturers are only in the sport to sell motors.

gttouring · 15 Sep 2003, 15:07 (Ref:719615)

go carlos, his drives even this year are wonderful, where Colin seems like he is fighting, carlos seems like he is driving to points

**BertMk2** · 15 Sep 2003, 15:21 (Ref:719635)

It does have to be said that McRae has been the least impressive of the 3 Citroen drivers this year, the other two have retained their seats on merit.

ATF · 15 Sep 2003, 16:30 (Ref:719715)

I prefer Colin to Carlos any day but can you blame Citroen?

He's cheaper, been more consistent this year, has a serious chance of winning the title and he's got massive sponsorship backing!

rdjones · 15 Sep 2003, 18:26 (Ref:719828)

I see from Autosport.com that Dave Richards is trying to find a team that will take McRae.

SJ Spode · 16 Sep 2003, 08:29 (Ref:720404)

Quote:

Originally posted by rdjones
I see from Autosport.com that Dave Richards is trying to find a team that will take McRae.

And as Richards is still boss of Prodrive, what price a third Subaru.................

**GTRMagic** · 16 Sep 2003, 08:40 (Ref:720413)

The news is good, Carlos is a brilliant and tireless tester, always changing the car. It can be for no other reason that Citroen is quick at the end of the season, and on many surfaces... it hasnt always been so...

If he can just somehow forget how to roll when he goes to Rally Australia....

**Dani Filth** · 16 Sep 2003, 15:34 (Ref:720869)

ahh .. the perfect team . the veteran Sainz with new young gun Loeb .. Citroen has made the good decision ..

Alpina · 16 Sep 2003, 15:54 (Ref:720887)

Have you people been watching different rallies to me? The Citroen has definately benefited from Sainz and McCrae developing it. Those two have been team mates a long time and know how to work together. On the gravel rallies McRae has been the quickest until he has had problems. certainly in Australia after he got his brakes fixed he went really well and if the positions had been reversed with Loeb can you see McRae being beaten by Sohlberg?
Sainz has been more consistent and is playing the new points system as is Burns. Burns has been getting major flack about this but nobody has mentioned Sainz.

rdjones · 16 Sep 2003, 17:16 (Ref:720969)

and in another twist to this story I see that Luis Moya will now be working for Prodrive as "Sporting Director". He will take up the job in San Remo.

His main areas of responsibility will be driver management, event strategy, and managing the team's relationship with the sport's governing body, the FIA. He will be working along side Dave Lapworth (team principal) and team manager Paul Howarth.

MichaelC · 16 Sep 2003, 17:58 (Ref:721015)

Quote:

Originally posted by SJ Spode
And as Richards is still boss of Prodrive, what price a third Subaru.................

Am I correct in understanding that it would have to be a privateer effort, with Burns and Solberg being Subaru's two qualifying drivers under the new rules?

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