WRC: 2014 pre-season

Steve · Dec 9, 2013

Holy crap, the 2014 season is still a bit over a month off but things are already hotting up, big time!

There are rule changes, the calendar is out (Monte starts 14 Jan), new team Hyundai have named drivers and are already testing for the first couple rallies (as are others), and there are big driver changes just announced at a couple of the big teams. I'll post articles, etc, as I can and try to catch up by the end of the day.

Here we go!

WRC 2014 calendar published: Poland in, Acropolis out (Crash.net)

27 September 2013

World Rally Championship sticks with 13-round schedule; Poland gains place; Acropolis Rally of Greece axed

The 2014 World Rally Championship calendar was published today following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Croatia.

The key change sees Rally Poland brought in, while the Acropolis Rally of Greece, as rumoured, has been sadly axed. Poland was part of the FIA European Rally Championship this season and was also part of the WRC back in 2009.

Other than that the schedule is pretty much the same as in 2013.

Monte Carlo will kick off proceedings in January, before the series heads on to Sweden, Mexico and Portugal.

Argentina then follows, with Sardinia moving to the start of June, and Poland taking place at the end of the same month, although it will be a 'multi-country event' â€“ no further details were given.

Following a month break in July, the second half of the season starts in Finland, before then going to Germany and Australia. New Zealand had originally been scheduled to take place in 2014 as part of a share with Oz, but, as reported on Crash.net earlier this month, NZ has now withdrawn from that process.

France and Spain will again run in October, before the curtain falls â€“ as is generally the norm with the WRC â€“ on Wales Rally GB.

Meanwhile, the FIA added that the European Rally Championship calendar will be proposed to the WMSC at a later date. It was also clarified that the hand-cutting of tyres is forbidden in the events of the FIA European Rally Cup, as well as the FIA European Rally Championship.

The full 2014 WRC calendar is as follows, we have also included the 2013 WRC calendar below for easy comparison...

2014 World Rally Championship calendar:

19 January Rallye Monte Carlo
09 February Rally Sweden
09 March Rally Mexico
06 April Rally de Portugal
11 May Rally Argentina
01 June Rally d'Italia
29 June Rally Poland (multi-country event)
03 August Rally Finland
24 August Rallye Deutschland
14 September Rally Australia
05 October Rallye de France
26 October Rally de Espana
16 November Rally of Great Britain

The finish date given is the Sunday of the rally weekend. Itineraries are however subject to final confirmation by event organisers.
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FIA confirms WRC changes for 2014 (WRC.com)

04 Dec 13

A number of changes to the 2014 World Rally Championship and its regulations were ratified in Paris today at a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Here are the most significant decisions that were taken:

Start order: In 2014 the start order for both gravel and tarmac rallies will change to increase the show for fans and reduce the use of tactics. Next year, the start order for day one will be based on championship classification order for P1 and P2 drivers. On days two and three, P1 and P2 drivers will drive in reverse rally classification order. The decision means an end to the qualifying stage system used to determine start positions on gravel rallies in 2013.

Rally dâ€™Italia Sardegna date change: The date for the 2014 Rally dâ€™Italia has moved a week later in the calendar to 06 â€“ 08 June.

Rally itinerary: To bring consistency to events, rallies must now follow a fixed format. There will be a ceremonial start on Thursday, with the last stage run on Sunday at approximately 1200hrs for European events. The final stage will be the Power Stage, which must be at least 10 kilometres long.

Driver nominations: In order to allow greater flexibility to contract different drivers, manufacturers will no longer be required to nominate one permanent driver for the season. Instead, manufacturers will be obliged to nominate one driver for a minimum of 10 Championship events.

Rally 2: Cars having retired and restarting (as Rally 2) will be placed in the next dayâ€™s start order after the P1 and P2 drivers group.
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Steve · Dec 9, 2013

Neuville signs with Hyundai for 2014 (WRC.com)

05 Nov 13

Belgium's Thierry Neuville has been confirmed as lead driver of Hyundai Motorsport's World Rally Championship programme from 2014.

The 25-year-old has signed a multi-year agreement, which the Korean manufacturer says represents a serious commitment by both parties to build towards long-term success in the WRC.

A string of six consecutive podiums, including four second place finishes, has made Neuville the hottest property in the end-of-season transfer market. As reported on wrc.com on 25 October, Neuville was also offered a full programme in a Ford Fiesta RS by his current M-Sport squad.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal, Michel Nandan said: â€œThierry is having a fantastic 2013 season and is proving himself to be one of the most exciting young drivers in WRC. His raw speed, driving skill and dynamic approach to rallying make him the ideal lead driver for Hyundai.â€

â€œBy signing a driver of Thierryâ€™s talent, we can show that Hyundaiâ€™s WRC engagement is serious and focussed on long-term success."

"It is also great recognition for the work that the entire team has carried out in such a short time. We both share similar values and objectives to win the championship in the long-term so we are proud to have Thierry in the team and as an ambassador for the Hyundai Motorsport brand,â€ he added.

Neuville, along with his co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, will pilot Hyundaiâ€™s new i20 world rally car in all 13 WRC events in 2014, beginning with the teamâ€™s debut at the Monte-Carlo Rally in January. It will be the Belgian driverâ€™s third consecutive WRC season.

Neuville believes that the new deal with Hyundai is â€˜the perfect fitâ€™ for him. â€œIt is a young, emerging and ambitious manufacturer team with long-term objectives for championship success and I have long held aspirations of driving for a manufacturer team,â€ he explained.

â€œI was impressed with the teamâ€™s facility, their approach to the rally programme and their clear potential. I hope my two years of experience in WRC will be beneficial to the team as we build a harmonious working partnership. We know we have a steep learning curve ahead of us in our first season but I am convinced we will have a successful future together.â€
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Hyundai adds HÃ¤nninen (WRC.com)

28 Nov 13

Finland's Juho HÃ¤nninen has been confirmed as one of drivers that will join Thierry Neuville at the Hyundai WRC team in 2014.

Currently one of the teamâ€™s test drivers, HÃ¤nninen will drive the squadâ€™s second i20 WRC car at an unspecified number of WRC rallies in 2014, as team-mate to lead driver Thierry Neuville. His first event will be Rally Sweden.

32-year-old HÃ¤nninen has become well-acquainted with the team throughout 2013 and has completed 3,500 testing kilometres at the wheel of the i20 WRC.

â€œI am very pleased to continue our working relationship with Juho,â€ said Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal, Michel Nandan. â€œHe was the first driver to sign for Hyundai Motorsport earlier this year and he was the one who completed the first ever runs in the Hyundai i20 WRC. He has shown great loyalty to our new team and it is fitting that he joins us at a number of specific events during our maiden WRC season.â€

HÃ¤nninen will be joined in 2014 by his co-driver Tomi Tuominen and will continue in his testing role in addition to his competitive appearances.

â€œJuho has done an outstanding job in testing this year. He has proven to be a very complete driver with a perfect mix of speed and technical abilities, as well as being a real team player giving valuable feedback to our team of engineers,â€ added Nandan.

HÃ¤nninen has tasted success in a variety of different rally cars in his career and has been victorious in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the FIA European Rally Championship and the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship since his World Rally debut.

â€œI am really honoured to have been chosen by Hyundai to be one of the drivers of the second i20 WRC car in 2014, including Rally Sweden, which is one of my favourites,â€ said HÃ¤nninen.

â€œI have been working with the team a lot since May and it has been a really fantastic project to be involved in. All the people in the team are very nice and it has been friendly environment, but with everyone still giving 100% all the time. Itâ€™s been a pleasure to work with them in testing and I really respect the opportunity to drive some rallies for the team in 2014.â€

A number of drivers will share the second i20 WRC throughout 2014, and Hyundai test drivers Chris Atkinson and Bryan Bouffier are two of the names linked to the position as Thierry Neuvilleâ€™s team-mate at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
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Steve · Dec 9, 2013

Meeke and Ostberg to Citroen (WRC.com)

09 Dec 13

Kris Meeke and Mads Ostberg will be the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's two main drivers in 2014.

Ending months of speculation, Citroen Racing announced its 2014 season driver line-up in a press release this evening (9 December).

The team also confirmed that 2013 team member Khalid Al Qassimi will drive a third DS3 World Rally Car on the rounds in Sweden, Portugal, Italy and Spain.

Both Meeke [pictured], who will be co-driven by Paul Nagle and Ã˜stberg, who is partnered by Jonas Andersson, were on the shortlist of five drivers announced by team boss Yves Matton in October.

Tonightâ€™s announcement appears to have ended the chances for the other three on the list â€“ Mikko Hirvonen, Dani Sordo and Robert Kubica.

â€œOur team line-up for the 2014 season is in keeping with our ambitions,â€ said Matton. â€œKris Meeke and Mads Ã˜stberg have followed very different career paths, but both of them are on the cusp of making it into the very top class of world rally drivers. After an initial phase of learning and getting to know each other, our goal will be to help them to improve and turn them into real contenders for victory.â€

Meeke is well known to Matton and Citroen, having come through the ranks of CitroÃ«n Racingâ€™s promotional formulas, before driving a C2 Super 1600 in the Junior WRC.

After a stint at Mini in 2011, he was given two test rallies with Citroen in 2013, in Finland and Australia, but despite impressive stage times his future remained in doubt after he crashed on both occasions. His new contract makes him the first British driver to race a full season since Colin McRaeâ€™s 2003 swansong with CitroÃ«n.

â€œItâ€™s an incredible opportunity,â€ said Meeke. â€œIâ€™ve always been close to CitroÃ«n over the last few years. Iâ€™m really lucky to be able to work with a team that has so much experience and so many titles.â€

â€œI have only competed in ten World Championship rallies in a World Rally Car. I think Iâ€™ve got some potential, but I still need to get some experience under my belt. The CitroÃ«n DS3 WRC is a terrific car and Iâ€™m going to be able to use the teamâ€™s knowledge to help me improve. I know that Iâ€™ll have to be patient in the first half of the season and learn all about the rallies that I havenâ€™t done before.â€

26-year-old Ã˜stberg will make the switch from the Ford Fiesta WRC he has driven since 2011. With seven podium finishes to his name at world level, he notched up his first WRC victory at the Rally of Portugal in 2012.

â€œI am very happy and proud to be joining CitroÃ«n Racing,â€ explained the Norwegian. â€œWe worked hard to get an official driverâ€™s spot. After so many years watching CitroÃ«n win, itâ€™s a dream come true to be part of this team.â€

â€œCompeting is the most important thing,â€ added Mads. â€œAnd even though I donâ€™t know the team or the car yet, I can recognise the worth of the guys and the CitroÃ«n DS3 WRC.

â€œOf course, Iâ€™m joining CitroÃ«n Racing to get some good results and to try and win some rallies. Iâ€™ve always shown that I couldbe quick. I know that the standard in the World Rally Championship is exceptionally high, but I want to be competitive!â€
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Steve · Dec 9, 2013

Note: this one isn't a signing yet, just the M-Sport boss saying what he wants...have to wait to see how it comes out.

M-Sport wants Kubica as leader for '14 (Racer.com)

David Evans | December 09, 2013

M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson wants Robert Kubica as his team leader in the 2014 World Rally Championship.

While the Pole has yet to decide whether he will commit to a full season in the WRC, M-Sport's Ford squad is emerging as the favourite home for him if he does. Wilson says he has seen enough of Kubica's talent to know he could lead the team.

"You only have to look at the way Robert prepared for Rally GB to see what this all means to him," said Wilson. "He has a desire and hunger which you don't see in many drivers and I truly believe he has everything that's needed to drive this team on."

M-Sport ran Thierry Neuville, Mads Ostberg and Evgeny Novikov as its full-time 2013 lineup, but has lost Neuville to the new Hyundai team and is yet to announce any 2014 drivers.

Wilson dismissed the notion that Kubica might struggle in the WRC's top class. Although he won the WRC2 title this season, he crashed twice when Citroen promoted him to a World Rally Car for Rally GB.

"We know Robert and I think we could give him the right tools to move forward in rallying," said Wilson. "It would be fantastic for us as a team to have him with us and there's no doubt he would make a very good number one driver.

"You talk about a lack of experience; look at us this year: we had a driver with very little experience [Neuville] and we got him to second in the championship."

Kubica returned to competition last week when he finished fourth on the Citta dei Mille rally in Italy. He was driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 with Polish co-driver Jakub Gerber. The pair had to fight back from 45th following a driveshaft breakage on the first stage.

This article originally appeared in Autosport.com
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Crashton · Dec 9, 2013

Thanks for the latest news Steve. It's great to see Meeke's land a top ride. If Kubica ends up at Ford it will be great.

Hoping Hyundai turns out to be competitive. Not a fan of the brand, but since they are going to rally I'm thinking they are OK.

MCS02 · Dec 9, 2013

Thanks Steve.

Nathan · Dec 9, 2013

Holy Talk About Changes Batman!

This looks like it could be rather interesting with all the shakeups going on.

rum4 · Dec 9, 2013

Thanks Steve

Stinker · Dec 9, 2013

Thanks for the info. Now if we can get it televise here during the season.

Steve · Dec 10, 2013

Kris Meeke is already testing in his Citroen for the Monte. I think it looks like he's having fun.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACF5qqfDl9o]Test MontÃ© Carlo. Chris Meeke . - YouTube[/ame]

Crashton · Dec 10, 2013

What a nice hand brake turn.

I have to have snow & ice to pull that kind of thing off.

Steve · Dec 10, 2013

The new Hyundai revealed in its official livery.

Steve · Dec 10, 2013

Hyundai reveals its driver line-up (WRC.com)

10 Dec 13

Hyundai has revealed a four-driver line-up for 2014 as it prepares to make its debut in the FIA World Rally Championship next month.

At a presentation in Frankfurt today, it was confirmed that Dani Sordo and Chris Atkinson will join Juho Hanninen and the team’s lead driver Thierry Neuville for the team’s debut season.

Hyundai said Sordo and Atkinson, like Hanninen, will partner Neuville at ‘several events during the season’, with Atkinson, and co-driver Stephane Prevot, already confirmed for Rally Australia.

Sordo, who took his maiden WRC victory in Germany this year with Citroen, has renewed his partnership with former co-driver Marc Marti and will pilot the team’s second i20 World Rally Car at the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Last month Hyundai confirmed that Hanninen will be at the wheel of the second car at Rally Sweden.

Sordo said he was happy to be part of Hyundai’s WRC project: “It might be a young team but there is a high level of experience and professionalism that makes the team a really appealing package.

“I am looking forward to bringing my years of WRC experience to the team in its debut season and to take part in Rallye Monte-Carlo, the first event,” added the Spaniard.

Atkinson, one of Hyundai’s team of development drivers, said: “It’s been a pleasure to be part of Hyundai Motorsport in testing this season and to have had the chance to contribute to the development of the i20 WRC.

“It’s fantastic to be able to carry on with the team into 2014, our first WRC season, and to be able to drive in Rally Australia later in the year.”
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ScottinBend · Dec 10, 2013

What with all the new manuf. coming into the sport, it's beginning to look like the good old days.

Crashton · Dec 10, 2013

Nice looking livery. Hope they come out of the box competitive.

minirab · Dec 10, 2013

Good looking car.

Steve · Dec 13, 2013

Fiesta WRC switch for Kubica (WRC.com)

13 Dec 13

Robert Kubica will contest all 13 rounds of the 2014 World Rally Championship at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Ending months of speculation, the former Formula One driver confirmed his plans in a press release today, the deadline for entries for the upcoming Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Having called time on his relationship with Citroen, the car will be run by M-Sport, with backing from Kubicaâ€™s long term sponsor, Polish oil company Lotos.

â€œI am really glad that I will participate in all 13 rounds of the World Rally Championship with the Fiesta RS WRC,â€ said Kubica.

â€œThe support of my partner, Lotos Group, combined with the knowledge and experience of M-Sport will create a solid foundation for my further development and I am looking forward to gathering valuable experience on the WRC stages.â€

A full programme in a world rally car represents a big step up for the 29-year-old Pole who only made his WRC debut at this yearâ€™s Rally de Portugal in the WRC 2 class.

But despite his inexperience, Kubica went on to take the WRC 2 title, winning five from the seven rallies he started in a Citroen DS3 RRC alongside co-driver Maciek Baran.

He ended 2013 with his first event in a world rally car, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC on Wales Rally GB accompanied by new co-driver Michele Ferrara. However it proved to be disappointing finale, with two crashes bringing his rally to a premature end. There is no news yet on the identity of Kubicaâ€™s co-driver for 2014.

M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson said he was â€˜thrilledâ€™ that Kubica will switch to a Fiesta. â€œSince he burst onto the WRC scene earlier this year, we have been very keen to have him on-board and I think that we can expect some great things from him in 2014,â€ he said.

â€œYou only have to look at the way Robert prepared for the 2013 season to see what it all means to him. He has a desire and a hunger which you don't see in many drivers and I truly believe that M-Sport can offer him all the right tools to move forward in rallying.â€
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Hirvonen and Evans to M-Sport (WRC.com)

13 Dec 13

Mikko Hirvonen and Elfyn Evans will drive M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Cars on all 13 rounds of the 2014 World Rally Championship.

British based M-Sport confirmed the line-up today, with managing director Malcolm Wilson saying the combination brought the team a mix of youth and experience.

For Hirvonen, 33, the announcement marks a return to the squad behind fourteen of his fifteen victories at WRC level. The Finn [pictured] joined the then Ford factory team in 2003 and stayed for eight years, helping to secure Fordâ€™s manufacturersâ€™ titles in 2006 and 2007.

He fared less well after a switch to Citroen for 2012 and 2013, taking just one win, at Rally Italia Sardegna.

â€œIt really feels as though I am coming home,â€ said Hirvonen, who will be co-driven by Jarmo Lehtinen.

â€œThe last two years were really good for myself and Jarmo, but although we will take a lot of good memories with us, we didnâ€™t necessarily achieve what we set out to do. Joining M-Sport will give us a good chance to try again â€“ a fresh start in a car we know we can be competitive in. We are motivated to win, and we are in the best possible place to do that.â€

Representing the youth element of the team, 24-year old Evans will get his first full season in a world rally car.

Winner of the 2012 FIA WRC Academy Cup, the Welshman impressed in 2013 at the wheel of Fiesta RRC and R5 machinery in the WRC 2 category. However his stand-out performance came at Rally Italia Sardegna when, as a last minute substitute for Nasser Al Attiyah, he finished sixth on his debut in a world rally car.

â€œIt is an absolutely fantastic feeling to know that I will be driving a world rally car for a full season next year,â€ said Evans, who will be co-driven by Daniel Barritt. â€œLast year was a real development year for us, so it is great to be able to take the next step in my career and for myself and Dan to really progress within the team. The great thing about this programme is that it gives us time.

â€œThe whole team is behind us and we have a long-term plan to get to where we all, ultimately, want to be. This is just the first step and I am extremely grateful to Malcolm and M-Sport for this opportunity and their belief in my future.â€

Wilson said: â€œMikko has done well here in the past, and he provides us with the potential to battle for victories at a number of events throughout the year. We all know what he is capable of behind the wheel of a Fiesta, and he has lost none of his ambition and determination to win.â€

â€œI have no doubt that Elfyn is ready for this opportunity. Over the course of the season, he proved that he has both the mental strength and speed to learn whilst securing some very strong results. I am looking forward to seeing how he develops, and although we are not expecting him to challenge for any wins this season, his talent could certainly spring a few surprises. We have a long-term plan for Elfyn and Dan and thisis just the first step along the path to championship success.â€
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Crashton · Dec 13, 2013

I'm happy to see Robert land in a competitive team. Hopefully Hirvonen can be cometitive once again in the Ford. Should be a good year. Come on Monte.... :arf:

Steve · Dec 13, 2013

Recent pre-season testing.

VW:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzh_aH1-t4o]Ogier Testing - 2014 WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT00rGMWA-4]Test Rallye Monte Carlo 2014 - Sebastien Ogier (Polo WRC) - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7bhud-envw]Monte Carlo 2014 Test - VW Polo WRC - Ogier/Latvala/Mikkelsen - Asphalt and Snow - YouTube[/ame]

Citroen:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeN70ujVqsg]TEST Monte Carlo 2014 Kris Meeke Citroen DS3 WRC Day 1 PURE SOUND HD - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSa0brzgFh4]Ostberg testing - 2014 WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

Hyundai:

(jump to 1:30)
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuxizacCCtU]Hyundai i20 WRC Test Bouffier Hanninen Atkinson and Neuville - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Dec 16, 2013

Some cool shots in this one.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DThyT4u-Ik]Ogier snow testing - 2014 WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

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