[kranskregyan]

For past years Loeb has had only four opponents who in theory can beat him.

Mikko Hirvonen who's weapon was consistency. Meaning steadily gather best possible points from every rally and hope that something happens to Loeb. One time this strategy almost workeed. Speedwise Hirvonen could not match Loeb most of the rallies and on tarmac he had no chance. Now Mikko is second driver of the team so he is not a threat for Loeb, like he never really was.

Jari-Matti Latvala who no with Ogier's absence is the only one to challenge Loeb speedwise, but only on snow and gravel. The problem for Latvala is that he has to push over the maximum to par Loeb's pace that he often goes over it and retires. He may win in single rallyes but never the whole championship.

Sebastien Ogier who probably is the biggest threat in the future, especially when he gets more milage under his belt. But this year, cruising with S2000 Fabia, who remembers him?

Daniel Sordo who is a threat only on tarmac.

If stars and Gandalf and lady fortuna were favourable, one driver could in theory win the championship is Sordo would steal tarmac wins, Latvala few gravels, one retirement for Loeb etc....

I'm sorry, there's really no point in this thread, I just needed to get this out of my head. I'm not wishing bad things for Loeb as he is one of the greatest driver but it is one of the biggest reasons IMO that WRC is so unhealthy at the moment

[offinoNem]

Damn you loeb !!!! Damn you i tell ya !!!!

LOLRZZZ.....

[Coededgeme]

Losing the best driver would not make the championship healthier. I can see Loeb continuing for one more year; Neuville is not ready to step into his shoes yet...

Don't be too sad though, I think the future is bright with Ogier, Neuville, Mikkelsen, maybe Tanak all coming up.

[Beedcardabeme]

Hey guys, don't forget the P.Solberg
He's defininitely got some skills to beat the Loeb..

[LOVEBoy]

For past years Loeb has had only four opponents who in theory can beat him.

Mikko Hirvonen who's weapon was consistency. Meaning steadily gather best possible points from every rally and hope that something happens to Loeb. One time this strategy almost workeed. Speedwise Hirvonen could not match Loeb most of the rallies and on tarmac he had no chance. Now Mikko is second driver of the team so he is not a threat for Loeb, like he never really was.

Jari-Matti Latvala who no with Ogier's absence is the only one to challenge Loeb speedwise, but only on snow and gravel. The problem for Latvala is that he has to push over the maximum to par Loeb's pace that he often goes over it and retires. He may win in single rallyes but never the whole championship.

Sebastien Ogier who probably is the biggest threat in the future, especially when he gets more milage under his belt. But this year, cruising with S2000 Fabia, who remembers him?

Daniel Sordo who is a threat only on tarmac.

If stars and Gandalf and lady fortuna were favourable, one driver could in theory win the championship is Sordo would steal tarmac wins, Latvala few gravels, one retirement for Loeb etc....

I'm sorry, there's really no point in this thread, I just needed to get this out of my head. I'm not wishing bad things for Loeb as he is one of the greatest driver but it is one of the biggest reasons IMO that WRC is so unhealthy at the moment

WRC started to be unhealthy when paying drivers took role of works guys.

[kranskregyan]

WRC started to be unhealthy when paying drivers took role of works guys.

Also very true.

[kranskregyan]

Hey guys, don't forget the P.Solberg
He's defininitely got some skills to beat the Loeb..

Petter used to have. Unfortunately not anymore.

[LOVEBoy]

He lost some confidence but with one win, everything can change.

[Mediconlinee]

I was gutted when I heard about this. Looks like Solberg will be the only competitor now, only it seems he just cant win anymore(Although I'd very, very much love to be proven wrong) Mikko has never been a title contendor since he signed for Citroen at the end of last year and now Latvala is out of championship running altogethor....

Looks like Loeb and Citroen may aswel crack the champagne open and celebrate the championship again.

The question I'm thinking of is which event will he clinch the title? I reckon Loeb will clinch the title in France.

[LOVEBoy]

Petter is only 4 points behind and everybody says the title is over. How can that be?!

[OccabsLam]

WRC started to be unhealthy when paying drivers took role of works guys.

Damn you Carlos Sainz!

[Mediconlinee]

Honestly, can you see anything different hapening this year? If I am wrong at the end of the year, I will upload a picture of me eating my hat

[Kiliunjubl]

You're forgetting Petter, he has unfinished business with Mr. Loeb, but this year is his last chance to settle it.

[Mediconlinee]

You're forgetting Petter, he has unfinished business with Mr. Loeb, but this year is his last chance to settle it.

I diddnt forget Petter unfortunately, I think getting another rally win for him (or more, if he stays as a manu driver for ford) but as for the championship.....

[offinoNem]

You're forgetting Petter, he has unfinished business with Mr. Loeb, but this year is his last chance to settle it.

unfinished business ? since when ?

[Mediconlinee]

You're forgetting Petter, he has unfinished business with Mr. Loeb, but this year is his last chance to settle it.

Come to think of it, why do you say "last chance" ? I'm hoping he stays in WRC for a bit longer than this year!

[preptarra]

/ raises hand for the Petter bandwagon

With JML having lost his realistic chance of competing through poor results and now personal injury, for MW might put his support behind Petter at team leader, officially or not.
Its a long shot, but if Loeb decides to shoot himself in the foot a couple of times (not unheard of with a couple of big off's in the last couple of years) then the consistency game might work for Petter.

I hate to say it, but it might just be number 9 for the French Cyborg.

[Kiliunjubl]

Come to think of it, why do you say "last chance" ? I'm hoping he stays in WRC for a bit longer than this year!

There are too many rising stars aiming to take his seat and to beat the likes of him, not to mention Jari Mikko and Ogier. He haven't shown the outright pace like earlier days with Phil (I missed seeing the chemistry and bond between those two), I was surprised Mads beat him at Sweden. Ogier, Mads, Evgeny, Ott, Thierry are the next generation.

Whether its due to driving more sensible as he aged, it seems to work for him this time and the rallies format for this season help a bit. Next three rallies are very important for Petter since those are the ones he's been strong at. He actually is doing pretty well nearly a decade on after his last championship, I just hope he wins one before Schumacher does.

[TaxSheemaSter]

Don't forget about Meeke; so he has not been rallying but he was fast last year after spending half of 2010-11 not doing anything much. He will no the mini inside and out by now and if he can get a seat next year he will be potent. He has also done shakedowns off all rallies last year so should be okay for familiarity.

[offinoNem]

Don't forget about Meeke; so he has not been rallying but he was fast last year after spending half of 2010-11 not doing anything much. He will no the mini inside and out by now and if he can get a seat next year he will be potent. He has also done shakedowns off all rallies last year so should be okay for familiarity.

LOOOOOOOOOL

amazing....