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http://performance.ford.com/series/r...-sardinia.html
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Since the contracts for the following season are usually sorted around the time Rally Finland takes place, Ford will probably publish their decision by that time.
I'm hopeful, but I'm a fan. At Monte we heard some positive sounds. It has gone really well since then. M-Sport is leading both championships, won the most rallies, had a car on the podium at every rally and are the only team to have multiple drivers winning. Poland and Finland should suit the car and Tanak is on fire.
Ogier says he will stay if Ford returns. The other drivers are strong too and could certainly be kept. They could be the ones to beat for years to come.
It is all set. Will it go through?
Edit: Also the WRC is interesting and thrilling now with good competition between many teams. It's not just them against Citroen anymore or VW walking over everybody.
Suninen in action in his M-Sport Fiesta:
http://www.teemusuninen.com/files/01.jpg
His main sponsor: http://www.konecranes.fi/
Rovanpera linked to M-Sport & BRC in 2018:
No deal had been done on a car for Rovanpera next season, but it would likely come down to sticking with the current Skoda Fabia R5 or switching to an M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta R5.
M-Sport has plenty of experience of running Jouhki’s juniors; Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen were part of the Ford WRC team from 2006 until Ford’s withdrawal at the end of 2012. Teemu Suninen – who makes his debut in a Ford Fiesta WRC in Poland this week – is another Jouhki driver under an M-Sport contract for this year’s WRC2 series.
M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson told MN: “We’re be very interested in working with Kalle – he’s clearly a young driver with a very exciting future. We’ve talked about a few things with Kalle and Timo and Harri, but nothing is done. There are different options, but a BRC programme would be a good plan with the world rounds mentioned.”
https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/ne...-brc-campaign/
There will once again be some very difficult questions asked in M-Sport's offices tomorrow with (relative) lack of speed on Ogier's side of the garage and (repeat) wing failure leading to overdriving on Tanak's side of the team.
After eight rounds both Tanak AND Evans have scored more fastest times than Ogier. Even regardless of road position that is incredible really.
And still Ogier has about the same amount of points as those guys together.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Sorry, may have missed it but did Tanak's rear aero pack "just" fall off or did he get a knock or something somewhere?Quote:
Originally Posted by NickRally
just fell off on the straight
They should probably take a look at the design of their mounting system. A repeat of that failure may prove very costly in Finland.
they must have a very serious look at it, IMO thats where actually Tänak lost the win.
Or at least lost the chance to finish, may not have been going so hard today. But I suppose if my auntie was a man she would be my uncle.....Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
He'll get his day in the sun soon.
well thats the difference i was referring, he had 14 secs lead after the stage he lost the wing...would have been a completely different scenario.Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
but i dont want to sound like Neuville in sardegna...it was what it was and hopefully it wont happen again.
So good debut to Teemu Suninen. Hope more rounds after Finland
Maybe if the WRC2 title is beyond reach for GB that could be something nice. And put Kalle into the R5 car instead.
Probably it's a budget issue. I bet his sponsors were delighted to see him featured so much on the official WRC TV highlights. For example Řstberg wasn't shown practically at all. If Finland goes well, I could see him do one more rally in WRC, most likely Wales.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Right, Tidemand's title is now pretty secured...Suninen announced that his WRC2 program would include Germany, Spain and Wales. He would basically have to win them all and Tidemand to have very bad luck for him to take the WRC2 title. And for the wholeness, a drive in WRC2017 would be more useful than that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
I think Kalle will drive R5 anyway.
Is Suninen under contract with a team? Is he someone's protégé? I would sign him for next year! Even if it was for a partial season.
M-Sport for now, Timo Jouhki is his manager, So would I ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ctesibios
Who is funding these two drives for Suninen in the 2017 car, just MSport or the Crane people ?
Would guarantee M-Sport isn't. Jouhki does the money side.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DD39R3AXsAAMG7g.jpg
Kremer's livery for Deutchland 2017
Is Armin borrowing someone's car or is it a new build?Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Bertellis car i guess.
Ogier will have new car at Germany
Or Suninen's ! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
btw who was that? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
he do only 3 rallies this year and back home ?
Suninen use his car in Poland
The Absolute Rally podcast said his 2016 Fiesta was on ebay and they said he retired, but then again he has already driven two events on the 2017 car. Anyway, I won't miss him if he quits.Quote:
Originally Posted by KKS
Shame, we need as many 2017 cars on each rally as possible. And Bertelli was getting a lot better in the last year or so. Privateers should be celebrated, I think.
BTW what's the deal with Onebet-Jipocar in terms of getting Prokop competing again? Is he ever going to get his own 17 car? I can't believe it would be a question of finances...
His calendar only included two WRC rounds this year (Bertelli) He will be back but no one knows when...
Yet he's done already three (Sweden, Mexico and Argentina). Interestingly he chose the non-European events to his limited programme...Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Probably because there aren't so many R5 cars to compete with in non-European events...Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
I believe M-Sport were already packing four WRCars (2017 spec) on these events specifically the two long haul - expect the same for Australia - Ogier Tanak Evans + Privateer WRCar...
If someone doesn't pay, the car doesn't leave M-Sport and get on a plane...
AFAIK Prokop is focusing on his Dakar adventure. In reccent interview in Czech media he sad that he would like to do Finland and Catalunya, but its a question as he isn´t entered to FinlandQuote:
Originally Posted by sonnybobiche
Damn I don't like how they are acting. I know they are still supporting Malcolm but they are acting like they are full manufacturer in the series.
On Facebook they add M-Sport at least ;)
Remember, M-Sport is out there with FoMoCo's consent. They have every right to use the results for marketing purposes.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
I replied on Twitter that their Ford Fiesta would win even more if they give their full support... :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
True.. but they arent paying the driver's, a pretty important factor in the car's success this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by macebig