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‘05 was a sort of interim season for MSport, as they were already preparing ’06 new model for Gronholm and Haninen. With the ’03 car, Martin did a nice job during ’03 and ’04, despite lots of engine troubles, and Duval didn’t manage to impress.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Duval didn't manage to impress?! He was called the biggest young talent after 2004 and for that he was signed with citroen...
I wasn’t clear enough: Duval didn’t manage to impress, like Martin did. It’s true that ‘03 was Duval first season on a WRC, but Martin was almost always faster than him also in ‘04, getting to match Duval amazing speed on tarmac. All 6 Ford wins on those years came from Martin.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
79, Fiat-Abarth took a sabbatical year.
06, Citroën was officially out and Loeb was mostly alone against Grönholm/Hirvonen.
07, same Ford team, Sordo did a bit better but still not enough. 06/07 : Loeb = 16 wins, Grönholm/Hirvonen : 16 wins.
A title is a title though.
Just confirms what a poor record Ford have in the WRC. A meagre return over the years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karukera
The question is, why? If you look at the (almost) 20 year period that Malcolm has been in charge, they should have managed to deliver the driver's crown at least once. As has been pointed out by others, it isn't for a want of talented drivers (Kankkunen, McRae, Sainz, Solberg, Martin, Gronholm, Latvala, Hirvonen). There are 5 world champions in that list, and none of them did it in a Ford. Why is that? 2 constructors titles do indeed seem like meagre pickings against that embarrassment of talent. Obviously it can be argued that Ford and/or M-Sport found themselves overtaken by events, and the Loeb era was very damaging for the sport, but we seem to be in yet another era of one driver in one car, dominating everything. That said, it seems that M-Sport are the only team currently in the WRC who are really not trying that hard to win.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
The fact that you are arguing about a guy, who force fed us his talentless son for years, on weather he was successful or not is laughable... tennis is a very nice alternative for you all.
Malcom only cares about one thing, money and nothing more and when it comes to achieving anything more than multiplying his bank account is a failure exactly like he was as a driver.
The only ones that are going to be sad if m-sport says bye bye are the useless guys who count WRCs on each entry list and visit the same hairpin each time the go at an event.
Kankkunen An awesome driver but undeniably past his best when he drove a FordQuote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
Sainz I would say the same about him
McRae Reliability issues with both car and driver, he threw the title away in '01
Solberg One of the weakest champions ever, likely wouldn't have got the title in 03 if Loeb had been allowed to push in GB
Gronholm To push the Loeb/Citroen combo as hard as they did was impressive, late in Gronholm career too, its a shame he didn't join the team in 04
Martin with a bit more experience and maturity could have done more than he did.
Märtin lost the 03 title because the car broke down...
We are all different, and that is a good thing.
i mean that all the factory teams should be banned, and that private tuners should run their motorsport arms.
Could be doifferent teams running F1, rally, sportscar and so on.
Malcolm has been clever and made his company into a very successful business.
if it had not been for 2 x superb Sebastians, he would have won some world championships as well.
But you cant blame a man for making the most of his situation, we need more teams like MSport.
Tommi has more factory support, so lets see in what direction his team takes?