[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[ilsit]

Ford Europe have been saying they have a few massive announcements coming up soon. Interestingly the Ford Rally account now has a blank profile picture on twitter, I'm pretty sure recently it had the Ford badge as the picture anyone able to confirm this?

Also Ford confirmed the rumour a while back that should they be able to get a driver who can win the championship they'll be back, Ogier is that man.

If this all comes to fruition, Wilson has been very astute once again and Volkswagen leaving WRC has been on the cards for months, as they announced months back they be making savings in areas they deem unnecessary shortly after a US ruling over diesel-gate. Previously to the ruling they were in talks to purchase Redbull Racing, maybe Wilson has contacts and knew VW were looking to leave for a new challenge? Possibly why he's dragged his feet alot this season with driver lineups, I don't recall him hinting at all this time round during the season apart from Neuville after a few rounds.

Seems to be a bolt of the blue for the other teams apart from M-Sport.

[macebig]

29 November is the date.If Ford returns,it will be known then.

[AL14]

You are getting very sensitive about TMR and Tommi. Ofcourse drivers can choose if they have offers on the table. Quite silly comment from you.

Maybe his tone of voice is a bit exagerrated as you pointed out. But it's true that unless you are a team manager or a very strong driver like Ogier you have less choice...

[PLuto]

Ford Europe have been saying they have a few massive announcements coming up soon. Interestingly the Ford Rally account now has a blank profile picture on twitter, I'm pretty sure recently it had the Ford badge as the picture anyone able to confirm this?

Also Ford confirmed the rumour a while back that should they be able to get a driver who can win the championship they'll be back, Ogier is that man.

If this all comes to fruition, Wilson has been very astute once again and Volkswagen leaving WRC has been on the cards for months, as they announced months back they be making savings in areas they deem unnecessary shortly after a US ruling over diesel-gate. Previously to the ruling they were in talks to purchase Redbull Racing, maybe Wilson has contacts and knew VW were looking to leave for a new challenge? Possibly why he's dragged his feet alot this season with driver lineups, I don't recall him hinting at all this time round during the season apart from Neuville after a few rounds.

Seems to be a bolt of the blue for the other teams apart from M-Sport.

Ford is supporting M-Sport without any break. Only is not written as official manufacturer, mark is not in the name of the team. But there is still full support. But with Ogier, maybe there should be time to change politics and put the brand back to rally live...

[Mirek]

How do You define full support? Do You actually believe that Ford puts similar money in M-Sport like VW or Hyundai? I don't buy that for a second.

[seb_sh]

I'm sure Ford "supports" them and they don't mind the free publicity, maybe they give them a discount on buying the chassis that MSport then converts to rally cars and sells but I don't think they put actual money behind the WRC team.

[PLuto]

How do You define full support? Do You actually believe that Ford puts similar money in M-Sport like VW or Hyundai? I don't buy that for a second.

I think that Ford never gave and will never give similar money like VW or Hyundai to rallysport...

[Rallyper]

Maybe his tone of voice is a bit exagerrated as you pointed out. But it's true that unless you are a team manager or a very strong driver like Ogier you have less choice...

He´s not sensitive in that way. He just knows much more about TMR than you appearently don´t understand.

[Rally Power]

Ford is supporting M-Sport without any break. Only is not written as official manufacturer, mark is not in the name of the team. But there is still full support. But with Ogier, maybe there should be time to change politics and put the brand back to rally live...

What has been reported, since the end of ’12, is that Ford stopped paying Wilson to run their WRC official team, keeping only a tech support that allows MSport to use Ford cars in rallysport. http://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/33802840

[macebig]

I think that Ford never gave and will never give similar money like VW or Hyundai to rallysport...

Not true.They spent quite a lot working on the RS200 back in the 80s and they still got the highest payed WRC drivsr contract with Colin McRae from 1999 to 2002(£6 mil per year)