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Expectations/predictions: Both Hyundai and Toyota lost their star drivers as Tanak and Rovanpera stepped away from the sport. Both teams have drafted in new drivers to replace them, Toyota again fielding multiple drivers on all events whereas Hyundai relies on driver rotation and fielding just three cars on each event.
I predict that Hyundai's form will improve because it hardly can sink any deeper. But Hyundai will suffer more from loss of Tanak than Toyota will of loss of Rovanpera, mainly because Toyota has better car and two veteran drivers in form of Evans and Ogier. Where Hyundai's strength comes is driver rotation and hence, better road position on rallies where it counts the most.
It'll be interesting to see whom Toyota nominates for manufacturer points in third car, Pajari or Solberg? I do think they will emulate the rotation by nominating the one with better road position (eg. with less points) if they deem both equally suited to the given event.
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Calendar was kept at fourteen events without changes in rallies but dates were shuffled, Japan moving from fall to summer.
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Drivers scoring their
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first win
no new winners
first drivers' point
M. Fontana (Monte Carlo)
L. Rossel (Monte Carlo)
A. Pelamourgues (Monte Carlo)
first stage win
M. Fontana (Monte Carlo)
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