The WRC Champions in the future

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

Thats my question, who do you think that is going to replace when the current top rallying drivers such as Gromholm, Loeb or Solberg retire?

Here we go my list of possible candidates

- Daniel Sordo (IMO he has got a lot of potencial and he doesnt have accidents very easily; furthermore, he has quite a lot of support from the citroen sport and Carlos Sainz)
- Matthew Wilson (apart from his talent he has got a lot of technical support)
- François Duval (when he stops crashing he will be almost unbeatable in every type of road and condition)
- Julien Pressac (I think that the frenchman career could be very similar to Sordo or Loeb)
- Kris Meeke (very fast driver, and he will stop crashing even this year)
- Jean-Marie Latvala (he has got a lot of potential and quite a lot of experience already)
- Mikko Hirvonnen (he has got every ingredient, he is very fast, young, experience, and if we forget the subaru experience, its has a very good career
- Kosti Katajamaki (he´s already a finnish champion in a WRC, he is very good in the S1600, and he is still young)
- Per Gunnar Andersson (he is a very young one and very skillful in the S1600)

See what happens; on the other hand, I dont see being Chris Atkinson world champion in the future, and I dont see that the good teams considering the Gigi Galli´s skills although IMO if he had a very competitive car he would be a world champion

[Mattk]

Duval is definitely the best amongst those you've listed, however, I might add Chris Atkinson, the Subaru driver, to the list. He's had plenty of top 10 finishes in the WRC, and he's only been in the championship since last year.

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

You know, everything depends on the continous improvement (and a bit of luck, of course) as the Deming circle, (I dont know if you have already heard of it, though)

[redbaron]

All young drivers have their period of crashing a lot of cars. I think Sordo will have some period of crashing this year, however I agree he is a future world championship candidate. Hirvonen ended his crashing period at the end of his Subaru year and started to perform very well, I think he is a sooner world championship candidate than Sordo, because he drives more "mature". Duval is very fast, but needs a good co-driver who tempers him. I think he will be a candidate if that happens and he'll find a team that will take the risk. And then there is Gigi Galli, when he gets a fast car he will win. He can be fast on every surface.

In the end a team will take risks with a young driver. Like I said before they all got their period of crashing, mostly in their first year in the spotlights. The teams however must not drop these guys after one season, because they mostly are faster and more reliable the next season.

[leo_26782]

Good list of potential champions, but the current ones are still going to be around for some time before they start to retire :roll:

[sameerrao]

I am not a rally regular so I don't have much to contribute here. I noticed that Markko Martin is not driving this year. Has he not found a replacement for Michael Parks? Or has he retired?

I thought he was a future WRC Champion.

Loeb is young enough to win for many more years. Its good to see the old man Gronholm back in his winning ways. :)

Matthew Wilson seems too raw! If his dad wasnt involved he would have been demoted to a junior series to gain experience.

[redbaron]

^^^^
I'll hope you will post the interview, sounds interesting.

Märtin havn't retired from rallying yet, he will drive a group N Subaru Impreza in the rally of Portugal from 16-18 March.

:arrow: http://www.motorworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34642&start=120

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

Of course, its excellent news to hear that Markko Martin is returning; In fact IMO he was the second best rallying driver alongside Marcus Gronholm when rallying....(for me undoubtely the best driver is Sebastien Loeb and almost he is god); nonetheless, hope to see enjoying himself in Portugal, and being a more regular rallying driver

[Mattk]

I think Hirvonen could have what it takes. Galli is also very consistent. But Loeb will win many more champs before their turn.