Malcolm and losing with no dignity

Malcolm Wilson Speaks!

Malcolm Wilson Q&A from WRC.com

Are you satisfied with your team’s performance in Corsica?
“From a results point of view it’s probably as good as we could hope for but yes, it’s been a very good rally for Ford. Again we had to employ some tactics at the end, and we have to say we’re relived they all worked out because it was pretty stressful. Fortunately everything went absolutely to plan. The guys did a great job, they were very professional about the whole thing and okay, there’s still a chance that both Championships are still alive, which is great news ahead of Japan.”
Why did you choose to use penalty time to swap places rather than slowing the cars on the final stage like you have done before?
“We wanted to do it in such a way that everybody knew what was happening before they got back to the final control. And at least the guys were driving flat out through the stages.”
Were you reluctant to involve Jari-Matti Latvala in the BP Ford team strategy?
“Yes, but I spoke to [Stobart Group CEO] Andrew Tinkler and he was very pleased to be able help support the Ford team, which made my life a little bit easier. All the guys did a great job and they acted very professionally.”
Mikko said he was against the use of team orders here - how did he react when you moved him up?
“It’s not an easy situation for anybody, whether you’re a driver or a team manager - and I’ve experienced it from both sides. But there was so much at stake today; both the drivers’ championship and the manufacturers’ championship. I think he would regret it if he were to win Japan and GB and lose out on the championship by one point.”
Were you pleased with Mikko’s performance on the rally?
“Absolutely - I was very happy with both drivers. In one sense with Sebastien we’re competing against probably one of the best drivers the World Rally Championship has ever seen and the great thing is we were on the pace on Friday to the point where Dani made a mistake. I think that proves we were putting him under a bit of pressure. The problem is I know how long it takes to develop a driver and I think it’s going to be very, very difficult for anybody to beat Sebastien anytime in the next five years - by which time he’ll still only be 40.”
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk...20Wilson%20Q&A

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

you do realise that the drivers at stobart pay for the cars? if it wasn't M-sport we would have more citroens and more subarus.....and to be honest it would be a lot better than having M-sport around with the clown tactics.

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Yes they pay, but no one knows what the terms are in the stobart guys contracts.
Anyway it was not a good thing from Wilson, but also not the first time, a few years back in sweden Tuohino took time penalty to get points for McRae. Citroen is lucky to have so crap guys driving the private cars that they never can play any role in this kind of stuff. :)

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Originally Posted by wrc_flipper

Malcolm Wilson Speaks!

Malcolm Wilson Q&A from WRC.com

"And at least the guys were driving flat out through the stages.”

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Not strictly true. Latvala stopped on SS16.

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The problem is I know how long it takes to develop a driver and I think it’s going to be very, very difficult for anybody to beat Sebastien anytime in the next five years - by which time he’ll still only be 40.”

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What I expected all year. He has little confidence in his own drivers hence general dodgy use of tactics all year instead of trying to win from the front. I'm actually surprised he said that. Not very nice for Jarri-Matti or Mikko.

This is all too ridicilous. Let's say Loeb lead the whole rally and won it. Both Subarus and Sordo had retired. Then there were seven Fords remaining and Mikko was eight. Wilson could easily lift him up to second.

What's the point in this anymore?

Should M-Sport stop it's business, Wilson would be fine. Next stop, Ferrari :up:

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Originally Posted by Simmi

Chicken McNugget raises a good point in that this whole thing reminded me of the DTM last year (back when I was still watching it). The problem stems from there being just two super powers in both sports.

The problem comes from Ford having a disproportionate amount of the cars in the field, and now that these cars are a competitive package, using them like pawns to move around and protect their chosen king (Mikko).

It was the usage of Latvala in a Stobart car that is angering people. Basic two-car team orders shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone. Although I can't condone what Ford did, it should not come as a surprise either.

Without M-Sport there would be a WRC entry of 7 at the next round in Japan. They are both good and bad for the sport, but I feel that Malcolm has become a victim of his own success. All the Focus WRC's are being built, serviced and shipped by M-Sport. They are all Malcolm's cars like it or not.

More to blame should be the rule-makers for allowing a monoploy over the top 8 to form too much. There is a lot of hate directed towards Ford, but I bet if the situation arose, and Loeb was SupeRallying back into the points and was 7th with Aava in sixth, you'd be naive to think they wouldn't switch places. I know they aren't the same team but PHsport exist due to the help of Citreon Sport.

My main point is this: Don't hate the player, hate the game.

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I think you've hit the nail on the head there. Yes, it's great that a manufacturer should want to prop the sport up by, in effect, entering lots of works/semi-works cars, but when they are used in cynical ways it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The DTM is a good example. So is the WTCC, with the huge numbers of BMWs and SEATs. Sadly, I'm not sure there's much that can be done about it.

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Originally Posted by Brother John

As everyone here can say nonsense, I does that also. :s mokin:

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Good excuse :D

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Originally Posted by A.F.F.

However the point was towards my fellow member N.O.T. here who's personal crusade to certain drivers is so ridicilously black & white he can't see the difference anywhere. Mikko certainly accepted the gift from Wilson and now ( again ) whole of WRC seem like a farce. But like I said, other drivers in the past has accepted it too. Obviously it's a whole different thing when it's done by N.O.T's favourite driver :D

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Well said.

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Originally Posted by Tomi

Yes they pay, but no one knows what the terms are in the stobart guys contracts.
Anyway it was not a good thing from Wilson, but also not the first time, a few years back in sweden Tuohino took time penalty to get points for McRae. Citroen is lucky to have so crap guys driving the private cars that they never can play any role in this kind of stuff. :)

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True. But would Citroen need to play silly games to win with Loeb?

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Originally Posted by Daniel

True. But would Citroen need to play silly games to win with Loeb?

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No, because Loeb is so much better than everyone one else he doesn't need any extra help to win.

Maybe if (and it's a big 'if') Citroen had some reliability problems it would be a different story.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. Yes, it's great that a manufacturer should want to prop the sport up by, in effect, entering lots of works/semi-works cars, but when they are used in cynical ways it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The DTM is a good example. So is the WTCC, with the huge numbers of BMWs and SEATs. Sadly, I'm not sure there's much that can be done about it.

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No I quite agree - imagine the entry list without all the Fords. Which is preferable? I suppose it sums up perfectly the current state of the sport. I think somebody has already mentioned the possibility of Hirvonen having problems again and lying in 6/7/8th position behind a group of Fords and suddenly finding himself on the podium. It looks pathetic - and added to the running order 'tactics' - just makes the sport look like a motorised version of the WWE. What we need are more Manufacturers with competitive cars and these problems would be considerably reduced.

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

No I quite agree - imagine the entry list without all the Fords. Which is preferable? I suppose it sums up perfectly the current state of the sport....... What we need are more Manufacturers with competitive cars and these problems would be considerably reduced.

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Or even perhaps if some of the current manufacturer entries were competitive, tactics wouldn't have to play such a large part.

If you take out the Fords as some of you obviously want, I can't see Subaru and Suzuki suddenly being competitive and challenging citroen.
Ye gods, if that was to happen even Rautencrash would be in with a chance of a podium. :mad:
Now that would be a very sad day for the sport...................

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Originally Posted by Camelopard

Or even perhaps if some of the current manufacturer entries were competitive, tactics wouldn't have to play such a large part.

If you take out the Fords as some of you obviously want, I can't see Subaru and Suzuki suddenly being competitive and challenging citroen.
Ye gods, if that was to happen even Rautencrash would be in with a chance of a podium. :mad:
Now that would be a very sad day for the sport...................

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Some people like the idea of privateers being able to win rallies.....

What IF Ford has told M-Sport that if you don't win manufacturers championship this year, there will be no Fords in next year's championship? No M-Sport, no Stobart, no Munchi, nothing. If you were in Malcolm's pants, wouldn't you do anything to save your and your employees jobs?

This is ofcourse pure speculation, but because Ford is considering their future in WRC, I am sure Ford is anxious to get some success to ease their decision.

I don't like it, but I understand it very well.

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Originally Posted by Zes

What IF Ford has told M-Sport that if you don't win manufacturers championship this year, there will be no Fords in next year's championship? No M-Sport, no Stobart, no Munchi, nothing. If you were in Malcolm's pants, wouldn't you do anything to save your and your employees jobs?

This is ofcourse pure speculation, but because Ford is considering their future in WRC, I am sure Ford is anxious to get some success to ease their decision.

I don't like it, but I understand it very well.

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It's certainly a possibility, but how much do Ford actually contribute to the 'works' team? Isn't the bulk of the budget provided by BP-Castrol/Abu Dhabi?
Surely they would be able to continue as 'Privateers' albeit in a reduced way. But I see your point.

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Originally Posted by Camelopard

Ye gods, if that was to happen even Rautencrash would be in with a chance of a podium. :mad:
Now that would be a very sad day for the sport...................

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Didn't that very nearly happen once already this year?!

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

It's certainly a possibility, but how much do Ford actually contribute to the 'works' team? Isn't the bulk of the budget provided by BP-Castrol/Abu Dhabi?
Surely they would be able to continue as 'Privateers' albeit in a reduced way. But I see your point.

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Actually, I think this may be a good option for Ford next year. Like Citroen did with Kronos for one year. They are already thinking about pulling out, but there is still no promoter for next year, still no new rules finalised. Maybe they should run as privateers and M2 teams in 2009 and begin to develop an S2000 car on the new Fiesta platform for the future.

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Originally Posted by Zes

What IF Ford has told M-Sport that if you don't win manufacturers championship this year, there will be no Fords in next year's championship? No M-Sport, no Stobart, no Munchi, nothing. If you were in Malcolm's pants, wouldn't you do anything to save your and your employees jobs?

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Are the M-Sport Focus WRC cars still the property of Ford? I don't think so as M-Sport try to sell every car. It seems to me that Ford only provide funding and homologations.

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Originally Posted by Lousada

Are the M-Sport Focus WRC cars still the property of Ford? I don't think so as M-Sport try to sell every car. It seems to me that Ford only provide funding and homologations.

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You can't homologate a car without manufacturer approval can you? I do think Ford gives M-Sport a bit of a budget but not much......

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Some people like the idea of privateers being able to win rallies.....

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Including me, because unexpexcted winners are part of motorsport, and works teams aren't the be-all-and-end-all if independent outfits are truly professional and competitive. Would anyone, for example, have begrudged it if Jimmy McRae had managed to win the 1987 RAC in his RED-run Sierra Cosworth, or if Malcolm Wilson had done so a few years later in his Michelin Pilot Escort Cosworth? And let's not forget Vatanen winning the 1981 title in a non-works car against factory opposition. Different days, I know, but I think the point stands.

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Originally Posted by Daniel

You can't homologate a car without manufacturer approval can you? I do think Ford gives M-Sport a bit of a budget but not much......

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Daniel.... its actually quite scary that you have over 28,000 posts.... :crazy:

I've never claimed to know everything :mark: I'm under the impression you can't homologate a car without manufacturer support but wasn't sure. Is it against forum rules not to know everything?

Ben. I take your point but all the drivers you list are world class drivers and are not the rich kids playing with daddy's money which we see a lot of these days. I generalise of course but hopefully you get my point.

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Originally Posted by Lousada

Are the M-Sport Focus WRC cars still the property of Ford? I don't think so as M-Sport try to sell every car. It seems to me that Ford only provide funding and homologations.

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It would be quite impossible to develop and homologate the car without Ford's support. Current cars would be out of date soon. And remember Mitsubishi case last year. Mitsu didn't give permission to use their name in AlQassimi/Gardemeister team. Ford could do the same to M-Sport, if they decide to withdraw.

Thanks for the answer Zes :) I thought that was the case but wasn't sure.

Well, I wrote my thoughts on what Ford did to the M-Sport team and Malcom Wilson himself answered me. (Probably a standard mail to those who complained). Here's what he wrote:

Dear Mr XXX (Just removed my name)

Many thanks for taking the time to contact us to explain your views.

Rallying is a complex sport and the situation in which we found ourselves in Corsica was far from ideal. However, we at the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team had to take whatever steps were necessary within the sport to keep alive our hopes of winning the manufacturers' world title for a third consecutive season and to give Mikko Hirvonen the best opportunity of claiming the drivers' crown.
Of course, we considered the introduction of team orders extremely carefully on the final day and analysed all the options available to us. We settled on this method as the best when there were no other alternatives available to us. Tactics have long been a part of the WRC and accepted as an integral part of the sport by the FIA, teams and competitors alike.
Many thanks for your interest and I hope this helps answer your concerns.

Best regards

Malcolm Wilson
Managing Director

Why didn't you ask him why his son is so crap while you were at it? :)

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Why didn't you ask him why his son is so crap while you were at it? :)

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Ooh, ouch!!

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Why didn't you ask him why his son is so crap while you were at it? :)

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Daniel,you are bad man.

i know :) I'm only one man though so what can I do? :p

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Originally Posted by Zes

It would be quite impossible to develop and homologate the car without Ford's support. Current cars would be out of date soon. And remember Mitsubishi case last year. Mitsu didn't give permission to use their name in AlQassimi/Gardemeister team. Ford could do the same to M-Sport, if they decide to withdraw.

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WRC cars are obsolete in 2010 anyway (at least, that's what the FIA wants). Currently the cars are way better than Subaru and Suzuki and I wonder if they will loose that advantage in just one year.
Not allowing to use their name, is that a problem? They could still run the cars and/or call it M-Sport-BP-Stobart-Abbi-Dabbi or something like that.

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Originally Posted by Daniel

You can't homologate a car without manufacturer approval can you?

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To be precise: only manufacturer can submit homologation papers.

In the other words, anyone can design the rally version of the car but it cannot be homologated unless manufacturer agrees to submit the paperwork to FIA. So, in effect manufacturer approval is needed, yes.

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Some people like the idea of privateers being able to win rallies.....

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But most want even that privateer to be worthy of the win.

Some like Ben probably do. But some just like the idea of a privateer sticking it to the big guys

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Some like Ben probably do. But some just like the idea of a privateer sticking it to the big guys

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I like the idea of both. Keeps things interesting and unexpected.

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Ben. I take your point but all the drivers you list are world class drivers and are not the rich kids playing with daddy's money which we see a lot of these days. I generalise of course but hopefully you get my point.

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Indeed I do.

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Originally Posted by jonkka

To be precise: only manufacturer can submit homologation papers.

In the other words, anyone can design the rally version of the car but it cannot be homologated unless manufacturer agrees to submit the paperwork to FIA. So, in effect manufacturer approval is needed, yes.

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Which is something that surely needs looking at. Surely a Prep company like Prodrive/M-Sport should be able to do it - rather than the Manufacturer who can veto plans.

I think cutting the cost and complexity of the cars would be the best way of making this happen and not just losing manufacturers. If the cars cost as much as s1600's but were fast and spectacular as well as there not being the fact that any car you buy from msport of Citroen being a but below the works cars we'd see this happen more often.

MikeD: I got the same answer from Malcolm Wilson as You did...

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Originally Posted by MikeD

Well, I wrote my thoughts on what Ford did to the M-Sport team and Malcom Wilson himself answered me. (Probably a standard mail to those who complained). Here's what he wrote:

Dear Mr XXX (Just removed my name)

Many thanks for taking the time to contact us to explain your views.

Rallying is a complex sport and the situation in which we found ourselves in Corsica was far from ideal. However, we at the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team had to take whatever steps were necessary within the sport to keep alive our hopes of winning the manufacturers' world title for a third consecutive season and to give Mikko Hirvonen the best opportunity of claiming the drivers' crown.
Of course, we considered the introduction of team orders extremely carefully on the final day and analysed all the options available to us. We settled on this method as the best when there were no other alternatives available to us. Tactics have long been a part of the WRC and accepted as an integral part of the sport by the FIA, teams and competitors alike.
Many thanks for your interest and I hope this helps answer your concerns.

Best regards

Malcolm Wilson
Managing Director

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Did you remember to ask how the next years livery will look like and other important issues too?

Tomi: It was general reply, nothing to do with particular questions. No need to discuss it here.

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Originally Posted by A.F.F.

Next stop, Ferrari :up:

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?? care to explain, I don't get it