WRC » Wilson Jr: Top six result would be nice

I did defend him a year or so ago on this site. It's fair to say by now that at the very least, he needs an eye-catching result. Scoring in the top six, say, on two thirds of the rounds in 2009 would at least help demonstrate that he could be a rallying Felipe Massa (ie. somebody who can still considerably improve and compete for honours in time, even from a seemingly low baseline and despite a considerable amount of external criticism). Keep in mind though, that in historical terms he remains incredibly young for a WRC driver. I think Francois Duval, for example, was being praised at a similar age just for finishing in the top ten or 11 on events in a WRCar, and he became a prospect.

Also to add, this will be Matt's 5th!!! attempt at Rally GB in a WRC car - how much experience does he need and he's still only aiming for P6. Awful.

The fact that he has the Ford WRC drive and Guy Wilks hasn't is ridiculous

My opinion seems similar to those above...

I'm sure he's a nice guy, and he is fast. You don't get a WRC drive if you're rubbish (no matter who you know) and a couple of top 6 places proves that...but he doesn't have the spark, that last 10% that takes you from good to brilliant.

By no means a bad driver, but he should be in the BRC, production WRC, or in an older WRC car, leaving a very good car to someone who might be fighting for podiums or wins in it.

It's not annoying seeing him under perform, it's annoying knowing that any other bloke would be out of the team by now with his average results in a good car. Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick and Takuma Sato spring to mind.

hes unlikely to lose his drive. he is, after all, malcoms son! and as andrew says, there are far more deserving drivers waiting for a plum drive!

"Matthew Wilson has said that he wants to finish sixth or higher on his home event"

I can't think of any driver who after 50 WRC starts (at a time in the sport with few establsihed stars) would only aim for top 6. Waste of time. Give the car to Meeke, Wilks, Mikklesen, Tom Cave - anyone.

"top six would be nice"

"signs of improvement this year"

hardly a resounding success this season, and doesn''t sound like he has a winner''s mentality. On his home event I really think top-6 should be seen as a bare minimum, if not a disappointment.

I can''t help but feel that this seat is being wasted on Matthew Wilson and should have someone in it who''s truly fast, ballsy, confident, a potential winner.

I know not everyone can be a McRae but has this man ever shown a flash of brilliance, a turn of speed that indicates he''s a future star? After three years, even at a young age, surely he has to start performing outside of his comfort zone very soon?