[WTCC] 2014 WTCC speculation, rumours and news

[Metzo]

Originally Posted by iceman-1987

yesterday the italian tv chronist talking about 2014 said that there should be 3 citroen (the third for lopez) then 3 honda jas and 2 honda zengo then 3 lada (and huff is likely as third driver)

that would be great

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by iceman-1987

ah i forgot to say that there will be also 6 chrvy cruze modified for the new regulaments.
about seat is still a mistery while for bmw it seems we wont see anymore them.

Autosport are reporting that RML are indeed working on 2014 spec Cruzes and could build up to 6, though they are just waiting on a few things to be finalised to sign the build programme off!

[Bramzel]

Good to see! With 3 Citroëns, 4 Honda's and 6 Chevrolets it doesn't look too shabby! Lets hope the Honda's and Chevrolets will be competative so they can offer the Citroëns some resistance.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Wouldn't be surprised to see Priaulx back in WTCC, the DTM hasn't been a happy hunting ground for him, though I think it would need to be a serious effort to get him on board.

Very unlikely.

I think he will switch with Maxime Martin.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Good to see! With 3 Citroëns, 4 Honda's and 6 Chevrolets it doesn't look too shabby! Lets hope the Honda's and Chevrolets will be competative so they can offer the Citroëns some resistance.

the 6 Chevies are a big IF but if it happens its just 13 cars...

[Craner Curves]

Ladas too don't forget.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Very unlikely.

I think he will switch with Maxime Martin.

Whilst Maxime would be happy with that, would Andy? I know he is close with BMW but there is a point where you may pursue other options if what s on offer doesn't appeal!

[Metzo]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Good to see! With 3 Citroëns, 4 Honda's and 6 Chevrolets it doesn't look too shabby! Lets hope the Honda's and Chevrolets will be competative so they can offer the Citroëns some resistance.

dont forget the ladas and the seats that will join at the end of the season

rerally looking forward for 2014

[iceman-1987]

rml will just prepare the cars or it will also be on the grid?

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by iceman-1987

rml will just prepare the cars or it will also be on the grid?

At the moment RML have only said about preparing the cars, though I m sure if the right deal is on the table they will run some too!

[TimRTC]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

I would love to see Coronel return in a competative car, the BMW just doesn't cut it anymore. This must frustrate him as well, I feel that lately he's a bit more rowdy at the track than he used to be before.

He certainly is giving himself a massive PR boost with the Youtube channel and in-car commentary.

I think it would be a real loss for WTCC if he leaves the series, he is one of the few distinctive characters in an all-too anonymous grid.

[Michael24]

I think it would be a real loss for WTCC if he leaves the series, he is one of the few distinctive characters in an all-too anonymous grid.

Tom C. is indeed one of the more interesting personalities in the WTCC and most others seem a bit pale in comparison. If anything, I think the WTCC actually needs Tom just as much as it needs manufacturers. He attracts viewers and fans! Same goes for Rob Huff, Stefano D'Aste and Gabriele Tarquini, though maybe not in equal measure. Given that his other half is no slouch behind the wheel (remember that pink ETCC Carly BMW?), this pretty much makes Paulien and Tom, World Touring Car Royalty!

The only cloud on the horizon I can see is that Tom and WTCC-FWD haven't mixed as well as WTCC-RWD in the past. He is a blindingly fast driver and has proven to be reliably quick in almost anything with 4 wheels on it, but in his past FWD period with SEAT it somehow didn't gell as well as he is capable of. Add to that that he is not that much into politics (AFAIK), makes me think he will need to be in an environment as as conducive to his abilities as his current ROAL setup (and I think it is obvious there's fantastic chemistry going on there).

Having said that, I must also point out that as far as I could observe the politicking at SEAT was massive and they clearly had their favorites. So my conclusion therefor must be, that if Tom C is around next year (yes, please) and it isn't in a BMW (which would suck), but with ROAL or any other non-bs-get-on-with-it-outfit and in equal machinery, he will be as quick as ever. I hope he will be part of the fray and the same goes for the others mentioned above. I do fear though, that their chances of landing in a decent bit of kit, are slightly better due to their non-Dutch background. Factory outfits tend to give rides based on national market interests and the organisers tend to let manufacturerteams "lead from the front". Not so much preferential treatment, but more of a less equalising influence than I would like.

[Bramzel]

Seat is out

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/...e-make-series/

[LeonidasBL]

Sick

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Seat is out

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/...e-make-series/

Didn't expect them back to be honest, they pretty much said 2024 would be for smaller series and one make, but did say the new car had potential for the future, so maybe they are seeing how next year shapes out with the new regs before looking at rejoining?

[LeonidasBL]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Didn't expect them back to be honest, they pretty much said 2024 would be for smaller series and one make, but did say the new car had potential for the future, so maybe they are seeing how next year shapes out with the new regs before looking at rejoining?

I hope so. Maybe Citroens driver pairing put them off.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by LeonidasBL

I hope so. Maybe Citroens driver pairing put them off.

they could have gotten Giovanardi and Rydell or Giovanardi/Huffwhich would match the Citroen pairing

[TimRTC]

Good news for Tom Coronel, a new sponsorship deal, hopefully will keep him going next season.

http://www.allsecur.nl/autoverzekeri...g-coronel.html

[FIRE]

Shame no SEAT but it's not really a surprise.

[kober]

After taking a look at the potential entry list for 2014, I'm willing to bet that Muller's car will carry #1 in 2015 too.

[LeonidasBL]

Originally Posted by kober

After taking a look at the potential entry list for 2014, I'm willing to bet that Muller's car will carry #1 in 2015 too.

Unless Loeb can mount some kind of competition. I cant see it coming from anywhere else so far.

[FIRE]

Hopefully J-M Lopez will be in a 3rd Citroen (or Honda).

[keviiinn]

as talented as Loeb is I don't see him coming in and competing for the championship right away. he may win a few races next year but I see Muller dominating and Honda taking a bunch of wins. after a full season under his belt then I see Loeb going toe to toe with Muller in 2015

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by keviiinn

as talented as Loeb is I don't see him coming in and competing for the championship right away. he may win a few races next year but I see Muller dominating and Honda taking a bunch of wins. after a full season under his belt then I see Loeb going toe to toe with Muller in 2015

I'm in two minds about that. Muller is obviously (to me anyway) the best touring car racer of his generation, but Loeb has that something special, I think it will only take a round or two before he's challenging for wins.
Maybe straight away as he'll presumably get masses of pre-season testing?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by keviiinn

as talented as Loeb is I don't see him coming in and competing for the championship right away. he may win a few races next year but I see Muller dominating and Honda taking a bunch of wins. after a full season under his belt then I see Loeb going toe to toe with Muller in 2015

I have seen Loeb race in the FIA GT Series, and he for sure picked up the whole racing "thing" really quick. While I agree that Muller will dominate and likely win the championship again next year, I wouldn't underestimate just how quick Loeb is ... both in terms of raw speed but also in terms of learning. People like him doesn't come around that often....