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There wasn't / isn't a suitable (Ford) road car after the Fiesta. They already said the Puma is too tall for rallying as a Rally2/3/4/5.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
The Puma Rally1 on a spaceframe was scaled to work and a WRC27 Puma would work too. I think this will happen in due course.
The next generation Fiesta for Europe will be full electric :rolleyes:
I wonder with the recent changes to the EU transition to EV’s, which will likely get kicked into the long grass again and again, if they will come up with an ICE version as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Yes and basically with a Renault EV platform, so wont ever be an ICE version.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
But the Puma is still available with a (hybrid) ICE & with the EU cancelling the 2035 ban it could be around for years yet.
Having no support for more than 10 years and no proper car in brands portfolio is a only logical to be open minded for other opportunities and not still hoping that someday they'll be back somehow.
Don't get me wrong, if M-Sport wouldn't be in that sport and if they wouldn't continue with their dedication, I believe WRC would probably already die long ago. They were always there, when all others left. But as I said already before, how long will they making Ford free promotion, before they will said, enough is enough. That's why I want them to succeed, no matter which car or brand they will represent, as long as they will have proper support and not just the badge and few "donated cars", oh right and access to some simulations.
Gerard Quinn, the former Ford Senior Manager and of Ford Racing Europe, always says Ford's support for the Rally1 programme is considerable.
It seems that M-Sport (& sponsors) mostly pays out to run the cars and any driver salaries.
1 more year, and then it's up to Ford to back the Rally2 entry if there's already Toyota, Prospeed and Lancia; plus others.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
Ford should certainly be able to afford part of the cost of developing a WRC27-spec car with M-Sport.
The new Cars are considerably cheaper than the Rally1 and sales should be good to privateers. It would be a win-win keeping both at the top level of WRC.
If M-Sport and Ford continue,it will probably be with a spaceframe made to look like the 2028 Fiesta. And it will more than likely debut in 2028 too. They either use the current Fiesta Rally 2 for 2027 or take a sabbatical.
I have to agree with Quinn for once, twice actually. Ford do give support, it's not entirely freebie like deephouse jokes, but that's only for now. The other is that manufacturers have no use for WRC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
They're also losing money left right and centre: https://www.ft.com/content/93e352c0-...d-a86e4d2aeb47
$19.5bn lost to u-turning on EVs, "their share of the US car market could fall from about 10-12 per cent to 5 per cent." "a $3bn writedown to end its battery joint venture with South Korea’s SK On" "The company’s electric vehicle division, Ford e, recorded a $5.1bn loss in 2024 and lost $3.6bn in the first three quarters of 2025."
“We’re in the fight for our lives and our industry” - They aren't pumping money into M-Sport's profits.