VW News 2012 & WRC 2013

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Originally Posted by Juha_Koo

Let's see for how long Hänninen has the motivation to drive to dominant victories in European village rallies... (Yes, I did aggravate a bit.)

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In what way do you think Hanninen has any influence on Abbring?

Why would VW need Latvala? They already have Ogier to win the drivers championship, and Mikkelsen to (help) win the manufacturers champ. I dont see why they would need Latvala?

If there is any link with Latvala to VW it would make sense that Jari is approaching VW and not VW approaching Jari. I say this because of the rumours of Ford switching to IRC and MW being unhappy with the short, fat idiot Todt and how he handled the TV coverage thing.

Maybe JML approach VW because he wants to stay in WRC and not compete in an S2000 car?

Thats my theory anyway :)

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Originally Posted by tfp

Why would VW need Latvala? They already have Ogier to win the drivers championship, and Mikkelsen to (help) win the manufacturers champ. I dont see why they would need Latvala?

If there is any link with Latvala to VW it would make sense that Jari is approaching VW and not VW approaching Jari. I say this because of the rumours of Ford switching to IRC and MW being unhappy with the short, fat idiot Todt and how he handled the TV coverage thing.

Maybe JML approach VW because he wants to stay in WRC and not compete in an S2000 car?

Thats my theory anyway :)

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If Ford leave the WRC, it's because they're leaving the sport, not because they're moving to another branch of the sport. There is no chance Ford of Europe would fund anything other than World Championship level motorsport.

I am of course saying 'Ford', not M-Sport.

If Ford leave, then M-Sport will go wherever there is customers.

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Originally Posted by tfp

Why would VW need Latvala? They already have Ogier to win the drivers championship, and Mikkelsen to (help) win the manufacturers champ. I dont see why they would need Latvala?

If there is any link with Latvala to VW it would make sense that Jari is approaching VW and not VW approaching Jari. I say this because of the rumours of Ford switching to IRC and MW being unhappy with the short, fat idiot Todt and how he handled the TV coverage thing.

Maybe JML approach VW because he wants to stay in WRC and not compete in an S2000 car?

Thats my theory anyway :)

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VW approached Latvala last season.

M-Sport can successfully do both series. I can imagine larger IRC program with Basso, Flodin or another driver next year but as You said I also don't think Ford would go there with the official team.

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Originally Posted by rallyfiend

If Ford leave the WRC, it's because they're leaving the sport, not because they're moving to another branch of the sport. There is no chance Ford of Europe would fund anything other than World Championship level motorsport.

I am of course saying 'Ford', not M-Sport.

If Ford leave, then M-Sport will go wherever there is customers.

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That makes sense, Ford want maximum exposure like any manufacturer. But I wonder about the TV ratings? Maybe exposure wise there isnt much difference between the two series?

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Originally Posted by noel157

VW approached Latvala last season.

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But was that before the multi-million euro deal with Ogier?

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Originally Posted by Mirek

M-Sport can successfully do both series. I can imagine larger IRC program with Basso, Flodin or another driver next year but as You said I also don't think Ford would go there with the official team.

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Or do both, why not, if there is money to be made, more than likely MW would be there :D

Latvala is a nice source of money for any team and he is fast... he just is not top level when it comes to the full package.

I still think they'd be better off with Sordo, Ogier-Latvala is a too much explosive combination.

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

Latvala is a nice source of money for any team [...]

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Could you please remind us from where Latvala's money come from?