One line from Mr Quinn and some suddenly think everything M-Sport has achieved is discredited.
Are people really so jealous of this teams success after all these years..
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One line from Mr Quinn and some suddenly think everything M-Sport has achieved is discredited.
Are people really so jealous of this teams success after all these years..
Probably, no one is trying to dicreditate MSport, Eddie. Quinn’s revelations are surprising as everybody thought Ford support didn’t involved cash, only tech assistance. Still, if a wider support already exits, it makes sense to ask, like you did, why Ford’s name hasn’t been used in the manus WRC entry.
Btw, for stats purposes, unless FIA considers a retroactive correction, Ford still has only 3 titles (79,06,07), as MSport manu entry makes it this year champ. https://www.fia.com/events/world-ral...2017/standings
According some Twitter’s, today is the day
Tänak in his blog today: "It looks like M-sport will have a very strong line-up again next year and they are definitely the "team to beat" .
"The Spanish newspaper Marca reported today that Sébastien Ogier will not leave the WRC, despite his wife having asked him to finish his career and focus on the family, deciding that the Frenchman will continue for at least another year with M-Sport.
For Ogier's continuation in the WRC, Ford's support was needed, and Ford's support was obtained through Ford Europe, the same newspaper reported. To join this entry of the American brand, will continue the support of Red Bull. Also important was Malcolm Wilson's assurance that there will be an update package for the Fiesta WRC, which will make the car even better.
The official announcement should not be long, and Ogier's continuity in M-Sport / Ford for 2018 is almost certain."
Lol:
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Yes, great news! Ogier and Evans in the "main" M-Sport team in 2018! Saw it on M-Sport's twitter, but the link to their website gives an error, any word on Ford involvement?
Anyway, another exciting season ahead!
No word on Ford involvement
Can't find any reference to Ford Europe or Ford Performance in any of the PR. Only person I've seen mention Ford Performance is Colin Clark in a tweet. Wouldn't be the first time he's jumped the gun though.
No word on Ford Performance backing but they've retweeted the M-Sport announcement almost as soon as the news dropped.
nice news,so except Citroen,all teams still with strong driver line up.
Roll on 2018 cant wait.
M-Sport are delighted to confirm that Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans will continue their commitment to the team throughout the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship – leading the Cumbrian squad alongside their respective co-drivers Julien Ingrassia and Daniel Barritt.
With the five-time World Champion, and one of the sport’s most exciting up-and-coming talents, M-Sport are well-placed to defend their title in what is sure to be another exciting and closely-fought battle next year.
With both crews having good knowledge of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC, development can continue at pace – Ogier and Evans both determined to add to M-Sport’s repertoire of podiums, wins and championships in the year to come.
Negotiations with both crews have been on-going for some months and, during a team celebration at Dovenby Hall earlier today, Ogier spontaneously took the lead – he and Evans putting pen to paper there and then in front of M-Sport’s 240-strong workforce.
With Ogier and Evans, the team have a strong chance of preserving the huge success they had gathered to celebrate. Both crews have speed in abundance, but it’s their masterful understanding of strategy which could combine to produce the perfect recipe for M-Sport’s championship defence.
News on a third Ford Fiesta WRC is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“To have secured both Sébastien and Elfyn is brilliant news for the team. We’ve been working towards this goal for some time, so to finally have it confirmed is fantastic and means that we can now focus our attention on the continued development ahead of next season.
“In Sébastien and Elfyn, we have a strong chance of defending our titles. It won’t be easy. Our rivals certainly won’t have sat still and I’m expecting an even closer battle for the championship, but with these two crews we have a good chance. They’re both very intelligent drivers. There is no doubting their speed, but they also have a masterful approach to strategy that delivers results time after time.
“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be confident of adding to our success next year and – seeing the reaction of the team this afternoon – I know that everyone will continue to give 110 percent.”
Sébastien Ogier said:
“It’s great to finally announce our plans for 2018. What we have achieved together has been truly amazing, and we want to see that continue – to continue this fantastic journey and to defend all that we have achieved together.
“This season has been very exciting with some of the closest-fought competition for years. As a driver, I definitely want to be a part of that. I still get a lot of emotion from this sport, and this team has so much passion. That made my decision clear, and we will work hard to chase more success together next year.”
Elfyn Evans said:
“After a fantastic season for the whole team, it’s great that we’ll be a part of it again next year. After getting that first victory under our belts, we’re ready to take the next step and I think we all have another exciting season ahead of us.
“Honestly, I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel and Rallye Monte-Carlo can’t come soon enough. We’ll be working hard over the Christmas break to ensure we’re fully prepared, and the goal will be to build on the success of this year.”
I know Ogier and Elfyn don't have the same level of Red Bull backing, but I wonder whether we could see two Red Bull liveried cars next year?
Never in doubt ! ;)
No surprise that -
At home with the Ogiers " Seb, Je te voudrai retirer"
"Non, cinque encore!!"
Quite a few people seeming to assume that M-Sport using a #FordPerformance hashtag in their tweet means Ford are officially back.
Unfortunately they've been using it for years: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Ford...rtLtd&src=typd
Okay a separate announcement is still a possibility, but I don't see if the deal was done why they wouldn't do it now? Equally Ford Performance don't have any kind of Fiesta in their range. Ford Europe makes more sense.
Good news, but not great news. I had a visit to the Ford Performance/ Ford UK/ Ford Europe Twitter pages, and nothing.......Maybe Ford have put a bit more ££$$ M-Sport's way, but still not officially; which I find disappointing, if that is the case.
about Ford Ogier says this
"I cannot tell you the details, or how it will happen exactly, but I feel it is coming that we have more support from Ford for next year.”
interview here https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/ne...tien-ogier-qa/
that is great news that he will continue! im more interested how will Evans perform against him!
2018 will be even better than this year!
Now we're only waiting for Ford to come with a bag of money so they can afford development. It would be the only fair thing. If that doesn't happen and I was Malcolm, I would find someone (as in a manufacturer) who paid for my services.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdBQXdjhIqc
Well Colin Clark seems certain that Ford are coming onboard; not just Europe, but the US Ford Performance arm....
Yes!!!!! Haven't been here for 24 hours and I hear this, fantastic news!!!!!!! With or without Ford, I really do hope M-Sport will continue their success from this year. Great to hear the champ is gunning for his 6th straight world title.
Brilliant News, Hopefully a great year for Elfyn too!!
Elfyn will have no excuses, Michelin black and round too
what a clown!
I really can`t help but think this piece from MN is at least a bit pointed to certain other team bosses in the WRC ;) or maybe it`s just what is written and not pointed at anyone in particular..
“There was a lot talked about and a lot written about my decision and where I would go, I know some of this was about money, but I can tell you the choice was not made only on the money. I had the chance to speak to the other teams and to talk to them, but I had to be really convinced not only on the money side, but also there’s the thing that money can’t buy a great boss and nobody has given me the sort of feeling that Malcolm has. I really feel that Malcolm fights so hard to keep me in the team, I enjoy working with him and the team so much – there’s a lot of good feeling for this.”
In MN today: "No comment from Ford yet on whether this means a full-scale return for the Blue Oval. Ford is understood to be upscaling its technical commitment and funding for ongoing testing and development. Those were Ogier's precise requirements for remaining with M-Sport next year."
So perhaps it will remain the same as this year, only with more support behind the scenes. MN also say a third driver announcement will come at the Autosport show/WRC launch.
who could be 3rd driver?! probably Camilli or Ostberg