HAVE YOUR SAY WE NEED YOU! GET INVOLVED WITH MN MN SAYS... Who will grab the advantage? ROOM 101

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While Jari-matti Latvala is confident, what can he really expect?

There are lots of positive noises coming from Toyota and Tommi Makinen right now, as you can read in this issue. After the turbulent build-up to it rejoining the World Rally Championship in 2017, not much was expected and, in truth, it is accurate to say that the team over-performed.

The squad has experience, and the car will benefit from developments over the winter so there is every reason to think that it will take a step forwards in the WRC in 2018. But, then again, so will everyone else.

M-sport and champion Sebastien Ogier will be at the races, but the real dark horse has to be Hyundai and particularly Thierry Neuville. The Belgian won almost three times as many stages as Ogier over the course of 2017 but ultimately went unrewarded. There is a lot of pain there, and he will be even more determined to redress the balance.

Some observers were saying that last year’s WRC was the most competitive in history. It could have just been the warm-up for what is to come this year. We can’t wait. Matt James, Editor

Bring in the new year with some great programmes on Motorsport.tv this week.

Travel back in time to the Le Mans 24 Hours from 1955 (Wednesday, 1400-1430hrs), as Mercedes/jaguar and Juan Manuel Fangio/ Mike Hawthorn went head-to-head at the infamous event, which was sadly marred by the biggest motorsport disaster in history.

There’s the best bits from the 2017 Australian Supercars season (Wednesday, 16301845hrs), with all the thrills and spills culminating in a tight battle for the title between Jamie Whincup and Scott Mclaughlin at the final round.

There’s highlights from the third round of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship at Knockhill (Thursday, 0930-1000hrs), as Chris West looks to extend his lead at the top of the standings.

Tune in for the first of The Windsor Interviews, as journalist Peter Windsor speaks with some of the most influential figures in motorsport beginning with former Ferrari designer, Mauro Forghieri (Friday, 2100-2130hrs).

A season review of the MSA British Rallycross Championship is being shown on Friday evening (2230-2330hrs), as Nathan Heathcote, Julian Godfrey and Oliver Bennett took the championship battle down to the final meeting.

And finally there are the best moments from a fantastic season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (Saturday, 2100-2200hrs) as Porsche looked to leave the top-tier of the sport with a title in its pocket.