Disclaimer: This rumor is just that a rumor and has no real concrete backing what so ever, but I thought it would be interesting to share. If anyone would like to provide any sort of confirmation or real information please do so. 
So, the rumor is this; that Travis Pastrana will be leaving Subaru and joining the Red Bull Citroen Junior Team in the WRC for the 2011 season. The rumor is that he would be taking Kimi Raikkonen’s spot on the team, as Red Bull currently favors Pastrana over Kimi, as they see the following and popularity that Ken Block has garnered and think Pastrana would be able to bring that same kind of following and excitement.
Travis Pastrana #199 driving his Subaru Rally Team STi during the 2010 Rally America Season
From what I understand currently Travis has not renewed his contract to drive with Subaru and there has been lots of speculation of shake ups on the Citroen Junior Team with Sebastien Ogier joining the Citroen Team. Kimi has been in talks with going back to the F1, but it seems most of those have fallen through, so far. Dani Sordo has also been rumored of talking with Ford, so it’s not locked in yet that he will be driving for the Citroen Junior Team yet either.
Anyways it should be interesting to see what happens.
4 Responses for "RumorMill: Travis Pastrana to WRC for 2011"
Nice one David. From what I understand, it is unlikely Dani Sordo is going anywhere as Citroen are keen to hang on to him as a lead Junior Team driver. I know Ford is indeed interested in signing him but it looks like he’s using Ford has a leveraging tool. Pastrana going to WRC is possible as long as he can secure the funding for it but in a customer car not a works car and the way I see it more likely as a Ford customer car. Kimi wants to go back to F1 but only if he can secure both the right salary and a competitive car, which is looking less and less likely, so Citroen for him again. Ford should have a better car in 2011 with Latvala and Hirvonen but I’m sure they’ll have the big gaggle of customer cars like they always have.
The Mini program has Kris Meeke and I expect to see an out of the picture veteran take the second seat or a former JWRC champion. 2012 would offer a clearer as I expect two more new manufacturers to enter the picture. Right now there just aren’t enough seats in the WRC class to go around.
To close this note, Loeb is expected to retire in 2011 but if he wins his 9th title in 2011, I expect him to try to win #10 in 2012. Also, if the FIA isn’t careful and the IRC can get their global TV rights sorted out, they could become bigger than the WRC with some time given.
I would also say that Petter Solberg should have a chance for being on a Citroen team somewhere. So, will be very interesting to see how all that plays out. Seems to be too many drivers and not enough teams…
Well, I’ll agree with you but only if Raikkonen doesn’t return. Money aside, I’m not sure why they’ve not fired Raikkonen as the only thing he does consistently is drive cars off the road. He’s got to remember that this is a rally not a F1 race where there’s plenty of runoff
Raikkonen has had his share of mishaps and he doesn’t seem to be learning from those mistakes, for example this week at Rally Spain, rolling on the shakedown and now missing the entire rally.
Hopefully Petter will end up somewhere, not sure he has the funds for ANOTHER privately funded car, as his current ride won’t be eligible next year.
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