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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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doon
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.
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.
the rally division in Msport is hiring: Event Electrical Technician, Quality Control Supervisor, Machine Shop Supervisor, Shell Fabricator, Transmission Tech, HSE Manager
wrc27?
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.
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.
Ford Performance is now Ford Racing ...
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...d-going-racers
... again
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
I think Josh and Gregoire are in North Carolina fir the week between rallies to visit the Ford Performance Technical CentreQuote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Ford Racing still see M-Sport as part of them ...Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
https://www.fordracing.com/motorsport/rally-racing
ICYMI - M-Sport won the ERC / BRC Rali Ceredigion with Jon Armstrong. In fact it was a 1-2 with Romet Jurgenson in the sister Fiesta Rally2. :)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G0Qv9jxW...jpg&name=small
Both the Puma and the Fiesta are competitive under the right circumstances. But, it's definitely a crossroad for M-Sport and Ford. They either invest on a new car for 2027 with a proven driver behind the wheel or call a day. Possibly withdrawing from Rally 1 and focusing on the rumored Puma Rally 2 is another option.
Poems are nice :)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOUFu...VxbDJmazlqdDds
(Warning - f word used in poem)
With only two events left, this could be the first time ever that the M-Sport run Ford team hasn't scored a podium. I looked back as far as 1997 (when MW took over operation of the Ford team), and every year they have been on the podium at least once, unless i'm mistaken?
In 2021 with Suninen-Greensmith-Fourmaux they didn't achieve a podium either. Better results on average than this year, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doon
And yet many great and more promising drivers are sitting at home and watching those two struggle against being on the road at all.
That's why we need cheaper cars and more teams. Only elite factory drivers and those with super-rich backers can get a seat in a Rally1.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
But no-one should be 'sitting at home'. A Raĺly2 Car is a much cheaper way to show your speed.
Agree, I miss those times when there were many seats available in manufacturer cars and then besides them many privateers who actually show some promising times.
no videos of nasser al athyah testing the puma?
well, sesks was leading a rally and nasser did finished ahead of both msports in some of the first stages...
does this mean msport has really bad drivers in munster and josh or is there other explanation?
I thought also just like you. But, on the penultimate stage in Saudi Arabia, when Martinš's Puma died with engine problem, I don't know what to think anymore.
It just shows that if Sesks will be given full season and proper testing, he could be right in the middle, podium(s), or even challenge for win. He is almost on level of Katsuta and Fourmaux if the things are right.
IMO none of their regular drivers have the needed experience or talent to master a Rally1 car. And you see this once a good driver takes the wheel of a Puma. Loeb and Sesks have made it work, so car is ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by saco0o
Puma does have performace issues on some surfaces, but regarding the overall pace with proper drivers a top5 finish should be possible in almost all events.
Hyundai seems work well also on extreme conditions, while on "normal" it's complete garbage. Kinda like Lada Niva car. Puma needs just right drivers. Munster (and too soon to say McErlean) just aren't. Also sorry for saying that, but nobody out of those two don't show any potential even for future.
I do not agree on McErlean - i think he has a speed to be on Katsutas level at least. He has shown some potential.
0 stage wins in full season for McErlean + many crashes... very talented... if someone needs an Irish driver in that Puma, give Meeke a chance.. he will be minutes ahead of Josh in the same car... sadly its all about the money
Any full season M-Sport driver goes at 80%. The other 20% is Malcolm on the brake pedal.
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
Too much braking...
Sorry but not even close. Sesks was driving this car far less, half the season for both years, probably not much testing if ever and at least shows some speed, talent and good times... Also he beat all for many times straight away. In Saudi he clearly shows that he is not fast only on Latvian or fast gravel rallies. I mean it's too soon saying that McErlean isn't the right one for WRC, but if he gets another season at the top level, he should be staying on road all the time and show some good times. Personally I think that both Munster and McErlean should be put in BRC, ERC or maybe WRC2 with Fiesta and maybe come back stronger. Those two pumas should be driving with someone who actually deliver good results for team. If results would come, the team could have extra motivation to get something to fight those two without spending money.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndersX
I noted McErlean in Poland ERC and Latvia ERC in 2023. Sesks dominated, but McErlean was constantly posting top5 times with Paddon, Ostberg, Heikkila and Marzcik in competition. Considering that he comes from tarmac background, it was rather noticeable performance. I believe that he can be very good WRC driver, just with time and some green light to push a bit more from M-Sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
Yup, that would for sure help with the lack of young drivers in WRC! Don't you by a chance work for Hyundai?Quote:
Originally Posted by Typ85
I thought McErlean would show some bits of brilliance here and there more or less like Jon Armstrong in ERC but nope.
Me, a non Brit-Irish always cheering for Brits-Irish.
I agree with you, but I don't think we can compare them in this way.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
They have very different base and setup conditions.
McErlean have the budget and support, he is already 'there', Noone to impress.
He use smart steady strategy - learn the events, gain experience, and constantly developing on second year, which already guaranteed for him in the team.
For Sesks its completely different, he needs that WOW factor to attract one big or several sponsors to get to the top tier by the money, or convince big team that its worth to give him a contract. Sure, they already noticed him way before, but as its so few places now he needs to keep pushing all in and try to impress again and again to be 'visible'.
Nice idea, but M-Sport dont have the budget to pay for better level drivers. Plus those sort wont drive for free and wont get sponsors to pay for them either as there's going to be no ROI.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
I think Malcolm has already found his next project in Romet Jurgenson. I expect to see him as one of msport 2 drivers in 2027 season. Will be interesting to see what schedule Malc gives him in 2026.