Mikko Hirvonen replaces Sebastien Ogier at Citroen
Discussion
Mikko Hirvonen will join long-time championship rival Sebastian Loeb at the Citroen team next year, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Finn had been competing with Ford in the World Rally Championship since the 2003 season, having scored 14 wins in total.
Hirvonen has finished runner-up to Loeb in the championship three times over the past four years.
The Finn will replace Sebastien Ogier at Citroen, the Frenchman expected to be confirmed at Ford.
"Initially contracted until December 2013, Citroen Racing has finally decided to finish their collaboration with Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia at the end of the 2011 season," Citroen said in a statement.
The French car maker said Hirvonen has signed a two-year deal until the end of 2013.
"Seeing Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia leave strikes a particular emotional chord in the whole team," said Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel.
"Citroen Racing trained them, first of all in the JWRC and then in the Citroen Junior Team and the Citroen Total World Rally Team.
"They had a very good season with five victories and third place in the Drivers' World Championship, and they made a productive contribution to the conquest of the manufacturers' title alongside Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena who have claimed their eighth consecutive world crown, a unique achievement in motorsport.
"Now, we're very happy to welcome Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen. They've been our toughest rivals over the last four seasons and we're really looking forward to our future collaboration. Mikko is a talented driver and his consistency will be a big help in our fight to retain the manufacturers' title."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96263
It will be interesting seeing what Hirvonen can do in the same car as Loeb, I personally still think Loeb will have the upper hand. Plus he'll still be the teams number one.
The 31-year-old Finn had been competing with Ford in the World Rally Championship since the 2003 season, having scored 14 wins in total.
Hirvonen has finished runner-up to Loeb in the championship three times over the past four years.
The Finn will replace Sebastien Ogier at Citroen, the Frenchman expected to be confirmed at Ford.
"Initially contracted until December 2013, Citroen Racing has finally decided to finish their collaboration with Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia at the end of the 2011 season," Citroen said in a statement.
The French car maker said Hirvonen has signed a two-year deal until the end of 2013.
"Seeing Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia leave strikes a particular emotional chord in the whole team," said Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel.
"Citroen Racing trained them, first of all in the JWRC and then in the Citroen Junior Team and the Citroen Total World Rally Team.
"They had a very good season with five victories and third place in the Drivers' World Championship, and they made a productive contribution to the conquest of the manufacturers' title alongside Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena who have claimed their eighth consecutive world crown, a unique achievement in motorsport.
"Now, we're very happy to welcome Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen. They've been our toughest rivals over the last four seasons and we're really looking forward to our future collaboration. Mikko is a talented driver and his consistency will be a big help in our fight to retain the manufacturers' title."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96263
It will be interesting seeing what Hirvonen can do in the same car as Loeb, I personally still think Loeb will have the upper hand. Plus he'll still be the teams number one.
A bit of a strange move, there have been rumours about this going around for ages. I wonder if he was pushed by Ford, for not being able to beat Loeb? Ogier has such strong links at Citroen too, coming through the same driver development plan as Loeb, often touted as his successor.
So... Ogier to VW or Ford?
My money is on Latvala for next year.
So... Ogier to VW or Ford?
My money is on Latvala for next year.
Occam's Razor said:
A bit of a strange move, there have been rumours about this going around for ages. I wonder if he was pushed by Ford, for not being able to beat Loeb? Ogier has such strong links at Citroen too, coming through the same driver development plan as Loeb, often touted as his successor.
So... Ogier to VW or Ford?
My money is on Latvala for next year.
I guess burying his fiesta WRC into the hedgerow fubaring the radiator and ending his chances of being world champ didn't help matters at FordSo... Ogier to VW or Ford?
My money is on Latvala for next year.
Its no surprise to me, its been common knowledge that Loeb hasnt been happy with Ogier for a while now and Hirvonen is the perfect person to pick up manufacturer points, the odd win, and play the team game if need be.
Interesting that Loeb and Hirvonen have contracts till 2013, I wonder if Citreon will pull out then
Interesting that Loeb and Hirvonen have contracts till 2013, I wonder if Citreon will pull out then
Allyc85 said:
Its no surprise to me, its been common knowledge that Loeb hasnt been happy with Ogier for a while now and Hirvonen is the perfect person to pick up manufacturer points, the odd win, and play the team game if need be.
Interesting that Loeb and Hirvonen have contracts till 2013, I wonder if Citreon will pull out then
More than likely, Loeb will be 10 times world champ, and call it a day before moving to GT racing, and Mikko Hirvonen will be by then, a thoroughly broken man i reckonInteresting that Loeb and Hirvonen have contracts till 2013, I wonder if Citreon will pull out then
DanDC5 said:
snowy slopes said:
More than likely, Loeb will be 10 times world champ, and call it a day before moving to GT racing, and Mikko Hirvonen will be by then, a thoroughly broken man i reckon
This was pretty much my 1st thought.
s off, and Hirvonend will be so so freaked out, he'll become an also ran i thinkStreps said:
Will it self destruct citroen from the inside out..
Ogier was not happy with team orders with them... will Hirvonen be?
He'll have been let in on the masterplan, Loeb wins two more titles, then retires to GT racing. What they failed to mention is, that once he's gone, they probably will tooOgier was not happy with team orders with them... will Hirvonen be?
The fly in the ointment for M-Sport, is that Ford haven't committed to 2012 yet - and Abu Dhabi have pulled their £8M sponsorship. How will they afford Ogier, who will want big money - unless he goes to VW for a huge pay packet, accepts taking next year out, testing & developing the Polo R WRC, and maybe appearances in the Skoda Fabia S2000 in IRC, S-WRC......Meanwhile M-Sport have Ott Tanak to play back up to J-M L........
Mini1275 said:
"Mikko is a talented driver and his consistency will be a big help in our fight to retain the manufacturers' title."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96263
Quite.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96263
Sebastien Ogier should really learn to keep his mouth shut, he had a contract with Citroen until December 2013 and he has thrown it away? There are currently only two full works WRC cars confirmed for all rounds in 2012, thats the 2 citroens.
Wilson does not have the Ford contract rubber stamped yet, is losing the Abu Dhabi sponsorship and I dont think any body believes the Fiesta is consistantly better than the Citroen. The Mini is only doing a partial campaign in 2012 as I understand they havnt a title sponsor sorted and BMW are putting a lot of effort into their new DTM car.
Even if Ford push the button I dont think they will have a fortune to spend on a Driver like Ogier. Surely he will go to Volkswagen now but spend effectively 12 months testing instead.
He could have stayed with Citroen, probably won 4 or 5 rallys next year and still managed the jump to Volkswagen for 2013 seeing as he doesnt seem overly bothered about throwing away contracts. Now he has a year in the doldrums either way, non stop testing with a new manufacturer or trying to pedal a car with 90% of the speed of his old one.
But, and its a big one, if he does go with Ford next year and puts an end to Loebs run of titles.......
Wilson does not have the Ford contract rubber stamped yet, is losing the Abu Dhabi sponsorship and I dont think any body believes the Fiesta is consistantly better than the Citroen. The Mini is only doing a partial campaign in 2012 as I understand they havnt a title sponsor sorted and BMW are putting a lot of effort into their new DTM car.
Even if Ford push the button I dont think they will have a fortune to spend on a Driver like Ogier. Surely he will go to Volkswagen now but spend effectively 12 months testing instead.
He could have stayed with Citroen, probably won 4 or 5 rallys next year and still managed the jump to Volkswagen for 2013 seeing as he doesnt seem overly bothered about throwing away contracts. Now he has a year in the doldrums either way, non stop testing with a new manufacturer or trying to pedal a car with 90% of the speed of his old one.
But, and its a big one, if he does go with Ford next year and puts an end to Loebs run of titles.......
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