Driver rule change could trigger line up changes

[SJ Spode]

www.worldrallynews.com are reporting that the FIA World Rally Championship Commission are considering a rule requiring any three-car team to start each season with a third driver who had never previously won a WRC event.

This could have implications for Carlos Sainz at Citroen, & at Peugeot there could be no end of fun.

Taking Gronholm as secure would Corrado Provera stick with current 2nd driver Burns (who maybe hasn't done as well as expected), take on Panizzi (a proven tarmac winner & getting better on gravel) or maybe Harri R (a solid back up to Gronholm)?????

[429CJ]

I don't think, if this is the good way to introduce new drivers on the top level. Maybe a WRC privateer cup, for DRIVERS, and dump off the one-make series (group N).

[Lee Janotta]

The best way I can think of is a 5-year plan to realign the 2 wheel drive classes and give them more exposure. Showroom stock only, based on displacement, make that the only thing below WRC. Commonality of rules would allow promising drivers to give themselves much more exposure to the top teams.

Rovenperra and Panizzi are both better bets than Burns, though. The Englishman just hasn't produced.

[avsfan733]

could they allow a 4th car that cannot be driven by the same driver more than "x" times in a year and must be someone who hasn't won/raced/finished high in WRC?

[racer69]

Team shouldn't be told what drivers they can choose

[Speeddemon555]

I think this is the wrong idea in my view.

[SJ Spode]

The idea (for better or worse) is apparently to stop the rich teams buying up all the best drivers