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17 Sep 2007, 13:36 (Ref:2015699) | #1 | ||
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Who will replace Gronholm at Ford?
This has been mentioned in a couple of threads so I thought it deserved its own. With Gronholm retiring at the end of the season who do you think will take the seat at Ford?
Obviously Hirvonen will be retained - will he be the lead driver? Will Latvala step up to the full works team? Will Wilson get the nod? Henning Solberg? Toni Gardemeister? Gigi Galli? Harri Rovanpera? Kris Meeke? Guy Wilks? PG Andersson? Anyone else? |
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17 Sep 2007, 15:09 (Ref:2015799) | #2 | |
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Gronholm alluded to opening up a seat for a young one but he mightn't have meant his seat literally. A veteran moving into his seat would open up that seat to another young driver.
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17 Sep 2007, 16:02 (Ref:2015861) | #3 | ||
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It surely has to be Latvala, his speed has been by far the most impressive of the kids that ahve out there, and you also have to remember that the Qatar guy is gonna be in as eat too.
I would say eitehr Latvala or Aava, who has impressed me, for me though I would punt on Stohl. Yes he is always seen as the privateer, but remember how quick he was in the 307, on some rallies he was the next guy after Loeb and Marcus, could get the odd win in a works car. Reckon it'll be Latvala though! |
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17 Sep 2007, 16:14 (Ref:2015881) | #4 | |
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Matthew Wilson.
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17 Sep 2007, 16:54 (Ref:2015927) | #5 | ||
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Latvala
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17 Sep 2007, 17:53 (Ref:2015982) | #6 | ||
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Well if I was Malcolm Wilson, I'd be raiding the piggy bank to get Atkinson in. I doubt it will happen as I imagine he's got a 'golden handcuff' deal with Subaru. However Atkinson's impressed me more than anyone else this season despite having uncompetitive kit and playing second fiddle to Solberg. I can't see anyone else taking the battle to Loeb in 2008 although Guy Wilks has a lot of potential if given the chance.
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17 Sep 2007, 17:54 (Ref:2015983) | #7 | |
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Latvala to the full works team, and Mikkelson to replace him, at the Stobart team
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17 Sep 2007, 23:17 (Ref:2016312) | #8 | ||
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I reckon Petter Solberg is on his way to Cumbria.
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18 Sep 2007, 09:25 (Ref:2016604) | #9 | ||
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I'd be very surprised if Solberg left Subaru - he's under contract so unless there's a performance related get out clause he couldn't move even if he wanted to. Atkinson has just signed a 2 year extension with Subaru so that puts him out of the frame as well (also I don't really think he's been that impressive anyway).
SB could be right - although that would be a relatively inexperienced lineup at Ford. I still think Stohl, Henning Solberg or Toni Gardemeister are possibles (I've been impressed with Gardemeister on his limited outings this season). Last edited by BertMk2; 18 Sep 2007 at 10:53. |
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18 Sep 2007, 09:58 (Ref:2016643) | #10 | |
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You're probably right about the inexperience thing. Maybe Ford can persuade Delacour or Sainz to come back and do a bit of mentoring
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18 Sep 2007, 16:38 (Ref:2017103) | #11 | |||
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Quote:
I would doubt very much that that will happen, Petter was with them once before & he did the dirty on M-Sport by switching to Subaru with no notice & alought i'm not 100% sure, i think it was half way through a season....! Whoever does takeover/comes into the Ford camp will have to bring in some sponcership with them.....! I also think Silver Bullets theory is more likely |
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18 Sep 2007, 16:56 (Ref:2017122) | #12 | ||
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Solberg to ford, i doubt it.
i just wish they could sort that subaru out and let him win again. Does anyone here know what the problem is at present? Traction, diff?, engine? |
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