McRae goes to Citroen--What about Grist??
Discussion
Will Nicky Grist also be going too?
I ask this as, from what has been available on TV, he seems to have been something of a fall guy for McRae.
Now I admire Colin and think he IS THE BEST, but some of his comments have been almost scathing about some errors that have happend from the RH seat--however if this is the case then he must have a VERY short memory.
If their partnership is to split, I think that it would be a great shame to lose someone of Grist's experience and knowledge.
I ask this as, from what has been available on TV, he seems to have been something of a fall guy for McRae.
Now I admire Colin and think he IS THE BEST, but some of his comments have been almost scathing about some errors that have happend from the RH seat--however if this is the case then he must have a VERY short memory.
If their partnership is to split, I think that it would be a great shame to lose someone of Grist's experience and knowledge.
reading the "Real McRae".......the reasons for the change in co-driver are not as cut and dry as a simple falling out.
Unless Colin and Nicky have had a falling out I would imagine Colin would ask for his co-driver to be part of the package to get some continuity going to a new car and team.
Has only signed for 1 year though.
Unless Colin and Nicky have had a falling out I would imagine Colin would ask for his co-driver to be part of the package to get some continuity going to a new car and team.
Has only signed for 1 year though.
From Autosport.........
McRae confirms Citroen switch
Former champion signs one-year deal with French squad
Colin McRae has ended the speculation that has surrounded his future over the past few months by signing a one-year deal to drive for Citroen in 2003.
The news was announced at the Paris Motor Show this Thursday morning. A short statement from Citroen stated: "[Team boss] Guy Frequelin has asked Colin McRae to join the Citroen team
for the 14 rallies of the 2003 World Rally Championship.
"With 25 victories in WRC, as well as a World Rally Champion title, Colin will bring to the Citroen team his valued experience in the field of rallying."
Citroen will now enter its first full season in the WRC with an exciting driver line-up. Alongside McRae will be superstar-in-the-making Sebastien Loeb, the young Frenchman who scored his first WRC win in Germany last month. Satinet hopes Loeb can learn from McRae's experience and is expecting McRae to be on the pace in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally.
"I am very pleased to have Colin for next year," he said. "He is one of the best drivers in the world. I'm really pleased for the team. Sebastien Loeb is a rising star but he needs more experience and he can learn from Colin. Colin has never won in Monte Carlo, but I believe he can win in Monte Carlo in January."
When quizzed about how much Citroen is going to have to pay for McRae's services – estimated to be around £5million a year - Satinet refused to drawn on details.
"I don't even know how much he is being paid," he said. "I am expecting good results as always. That's what it is all about. It's very important to have good drivers to achieve this."
McRae has been with current employers Ford since 1999, but despite becoming the most successful World Rally driver ever, scoring 25 WRC wins, he failed to add to his 1995 title he scored with Subaru.
This morning, Ford released a statement saying that, "it had regretfully elected not to renew the McRae's contract when it expires at the end of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship season."
McRae confirms Citroen switch
Former champion signs one-year deal with French squad
Colin McRae has ended the speculation that has surrounded his future over the past few months by signing a one-year deal to drive for Citroen in 2003.
The news was announced at the Paris Motor Show this Thursday morning. A short statement from Citroen stated: "[Team boss] Guy Frequelin has asked Colin McRae to join the Citroen team
for the 14 rallies of the 2003 World Rally Championship.
"With 25 victories in WRC, as well as a World Rally Champion title, Colin will bring to the Citroen team his valued experience in the field of rallying."
Citroen will now enter its first full season in the WRC with an exciting driver line-up. Alongside McRae will be superstar-in-the-making Sebastien Loeb, the young Frenchman who scored his first WRC win in Germany last month. Satinet hopes Loeb can learn from McRae's experience and is expecting McRae to be on the pace in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally.
"I am very pleased to have Colin for next year," he said. "He is one of the best drivers in the world. I'm really pleased for the team. Sebastien Loeb is a rising star but he needs more experience and he can learn from Colin. Colin has never won in Monte Carlo, but I believe he can win in Monte Carlo in January."
When quizzed about how much Citroen is going to have to pay for McRae's services – estimated to be around £5million a year - Satinet refused to drawn on details.
"I don't even know how much he is being paid," he said. "I am expecting good results as always. That's what it is all about. It's very important to have good drivers to achieve this."
McRae has been with current employers Ford since 1999, but despite becoming the most successful World Rally driver ever, scoring 25 WRC wins, he failed to add to his 1995 title he scored with Subaru.
This morning, Ford released a statement saying that, "it had regretfully elected not to renew the McRae's contract when it expires at the end of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship season."
Reading BBC text last night it seems that Ford have sort of ditched McRae to spend his wages on the 2003 car.
Wish him all the best with Citreon though. Hopefully the car tough enough for him and reliable.
Taguchi? Is he the guy that run the works Lancer in the Scottish Rally and IIRC the Jim Clark. He was fast but crashy. Think it was him that kicked up a fist sized rock into my mates brothers gut flat out at Clatteringshaws Loch.
>> Edited by VTECDave on Friday 27th September 13:59
Wish him all the best with Citreon though. Hopefully the car tough enough for him and reliable.
Taguchi? Is he the guy that run the works Lancer in the Scottish Rally and IIRC the Jim Clark. He was fast but crashy. Think it was him that kicked up a fist sized rock into my mates brothers gut flat out at Clatteringshaws Loch.
>> Edited by VTECDave on Friday 27th September 13:59
fast but crashy....sounds like the old McRae, and I believe that was why he ditched Derek Ringer in favour of the calming influence of Nicky Grist. Now he seems to have lost some of the flair and just winges when things are'nt going his way, (just MHO obviously) but just watch Panizzi if you want to see pasion and raw speed, he even said he was'nt trying that hard in Corsica after 3 rallies off and still whupped butt!!!!
Anyone know what's going to happen to Sainz?
Is he gonna stay with Ford? And if not where's he going?
And do Ford really think they can challenge for the titles with two drivers who have never won a WRC rally?
And why are Ford facing cuts? It's not like they've put in a Jaguar F1 year.
McRae will definitly find it a challenge with Citroen, just like Burns has. Hopefully he'll be back on song pretty soon though.
Yaaa I get to see him and everyone else in action in less than 3 days.
Go Peugeot, Go Burns, Go Solberg
Is he gonna stay with Ford? And if not where's he going?
And do Ford really think they can challenge for the titles with two drivers who have never won a WRC rally?
And why are Ford facing cuts? It's not like they've put in a Jaguar F1 year.
McRae will definitly find it a challenge with Citroen, just like Burns has. Hopefully he'll be back on song pretty soon though.
Yaaa I get to see him and everyone else in action in less than 3 days.
Go Peugeot, Go Burns, Go Solberg
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