M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[Managarium]

So, consecutive point - scoring is over.
On Rally Islas Canarias both, Munster and McErlean scored zero points.

If I'm not mistaken, it was run of 309 rallies.

[WRCStan]

It's manufacturers points isn't it? Run is still on.

[Humber]

Munster's car should have picked up 4 Manufacturer's points for M-Sport from Canarias.

[WRCStan]

11 Manufacturers points

[deephouse]

If at least Munster would be quiet. He is all over how he will be good and so on. And he always is nowhere, and bin the car at the end

[flat_right]

If at least Munster would be quiet. He is all over how he will be good and so on. And he always is nowhere, and bin the car at the end

I have never ever seen or heard Munster saying this :D Like for real, I follow rally quite a bit but this is news for me.

[TypeR]

Even at the end of the rally he said that now it's done and can start preparing for Portugal.
Interviewer asked if he at least will enjpy pool later..
Munster answered that he doesn't know if they deserve it.

Haven't never heard him bragging like that..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yes, he always seems a pretty humble guy. But drivers have to have some self-confidence and belief otherwise they have no chance.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Podcast including interview with Josh McErlean on the move to Rally1 after half a year:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YwGcbQAxVV0EQXhjORMeG?si=xm34JgTATICXUZIjWnAPbA

[Jarek Z]

This doesn't look good. But, with such drivers, what can one expect?
https://x.com/DirtFishRally/status/1939347945289036270

[focus206]

This doesn't look good. But, with such drivers, what can one expect?
https://x.com/DirtFishRally/status/1939347945289036270

Although this time Munster was doing reasonably good, but had to retire for technical problems.

[macebig]

M-Sport need to rethink the Puma program. It's pointless to go through 2025 and 2026 like that. They need to sit down with Ford and Red Bull and clear things up. Either they get the budget for at least one competitive entry or they should call it a day and focus on Rally 2 or the new car from 2027 if Ford wants to keep going. It's not like they don't have a ton of programmes lined up. They have Dakar, the Mustang GT3 and remains to be seen if M-Sport is involved in the LMDh effort. Driving around aimlessly ain't helping anyone.

[Sulland]

They need to spend some money to get a good driver for a rally or two, to prove to Ford and sponsors that one driver on a salary is needed to improve the car and the junior drivers. Now the drivers are simply not good enough!!

[Managarium]

What money?
M-Sport is largely financed by selling lower categories cars.
How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC and ERC events?
Rally3 is better for them because there is not much of other manufacturers competition, but in Rally4 is nowadays a very big competition.

[Managarium]

What money?
M-Sport is largely financed by selling lower categories cars.
How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC, ERC and national events?
Rally3 is better for them because there is not much of other manufacturers competition, but in Rally4 is nowadays a very big competition.

[Sulland]

What money?
M-Sport is largely financed by selling lower categories cars.
How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC, ERC and national events?
Rally3 is better for them because there is not much of other manufacturers competition, but in Rally4 is nowadays a very big competition.

I agree.

But selling cars comes from results. If you have only talents, and not a few drivers that has proven themselves, and can help in development, you stay where you are, or could move in the wrong direction. But I agree, MSport is in a catch 22 situation right now.

[PLuto]

How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC, ERC and national events?

Problem is that they were not so much interested in development Rally2 Fiesta. Biggest issue of this car was engine, which was very weak from beginning. Everybody knew it from beginning, but M-Sport didnt made any important improvement, so lot of teams moved to different brand. And to say the truth, brexit also didnt helped...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport had to prioritise their limited budget. They had to build and develop the new Puma Rally1 car and employ some top drivers like Loeb, Breen and Tanak.

Its obvious that they couldn't spend a lot on the Rally2 Fiesta too, although they did some upgrades and Fourmaux did well in it in 2023.

Since then the Fiesta has discontinued by Ford so it made little sense to throw more money at it as a rally car.

[PLuto]

M-Sport had to prioritise their limited budget. They had to build and develop the new Puma Rally1 car and employ some top drivers like Loeb, Breen and Tanak.

Its obvious that they couldn't spend a lot on the Rally2 Fiesta too, although they did some upgrades and Fourmaux did well in it in 2023.

Since then the Fiesta has discontinued by Ford so it made little sense to throw more money at it as a rally car.

Only excuses. If they are living from selling cars to private customers, they should concentrate to Rally2 category. Their car is not bad, it had perfect chassis and suspension, but engine was biggest problem. They were promising to their customers this disadvantage will be "corrected", but nothing happened, so everybody left. And new customers were not interested in buying the car...

[Gordini]

Maybe give Solberg a ring to see if he would drive a rally or two for them ?

He has driven the best, so he could guide.

[Dontcut]

Maybe give Solberg a ring to see if he would drive a rally or two for them ?

He has driven the best, so he could guide.
Is this Red Bull and Monster Energy conflict only reason why can't this happen?

[240RS]

Oliver Solberg was brilliant all weekend. That goes without saying.

What was equally pleasant to hear were the words of Kalle Rovanpera whenever he was asked about Oliver's performance. Not once did he attempt to disparage or downplay what was truly great drive. He analysed Solberg's merits with maturity and even offered snippets that few would have. That was class. He scored big in my mind.

[Doon]

Why would Oliver solberg, the man who has just won Rally Estonia, want to drive a sh1tbox of an m-sport car? He's quicker than their Rally 1 drivers in a Rally 2 car.

[Päss1928]

Why would Oliver solberg, the man who has just won Rally Estonia, want to drive a sh1tbox of an m-sport car? He's quicker than their Rally 1 drivers in a Rally 2 car.

Agree, makes no sense to go for a Rally1 drive in M-Sport now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The issue, as always, is money. All the M-Sport drivers need to bring some support. And the Solbergs (like Mikkelsen) dont believe they should pay to drive.

The clash with Monster Energy wouldn't be an issue if they hired a Puma and ran it themselves.

[trykmann]

Regarding their cars and results, then this season and 2026 seem to be something, they just have to get over with. As we all know their Rally1 is behind their competitors and the interest for privateers to buy their Rally2 cars is gone already for a long time. I hope the 2027 regulations with the implemented cost cap will suit them and the new Rally1 cars will be competitive and popular with privateers. This way they won't fall behind with development and maybe will be able to hire at least one fast driver.

[saco0o]

the rally division in Msport is hiring: Event Electrical Technician, Quality Control Supervisor, Machine Shop Supervisor, Shell Fabricator, Transmission Tech, HSE Manager

wrc27?

[deephouse]

They are always hiring. I saw various positions by them every single year. I guess some people leave because that world have literally no free time. Especially those who travel with the team.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I hope you're right about M-Sport being ready to build a WRC27 Car. We need somebody other than Toyota to confirm ASAP and let us see this thing is actually going ahead and give hope for a decent future for the WRC.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ford Performance is now Ford Racing ...

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-performance-rebranded-it-primes-road-going-racers

[Andre Oliveira]

... again

[AndyRAC]

Ford Performance is now Ford Racing ...

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-performance-rebranded-it-primes-road-going-racers


Won't really affect the WRC, or M-Sport. There was a recent event with Ford Performance, and their drivers.......and obviously, none of the WRC guys were there - as they're M-Sport, not Ford contracted drivers.......The poor relation couldn't be more stark.

[rallyfiend]

Won't really affect the WRC, or M-Sport. There was a recent event with Ford Performance, and their drivers.......and obviously, none of the WRC guys were there - as they're M-Sport, not Ford contracted drivers.......The poor relation couldn't be more stark.

I think Josh and Gregoire are in North Carolina fir the week between rallies to visit the Ford Performance Technical Centre

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Won't really affect the WRC, or M-Sport. There was a recent event with Ford Performance, and their drivers.......and obviously, none of the WRC guys were there - as they're M-Sport, not Ford contracted drivers.......The poor relation couldn't be more stark.

Ford Racing still see M-Sport as part of them ...

https://www.fordracing.com/motorsport/rally-racing