I have missed it so if anyone knows.. were there other updates besides the front aero? Was the engine update already in use in Monte?
Printable View
I thought the engine upgrade was here, especially with Suninen's pace.
2021 is here, what are they waiting for when its just upgrades not a completely new engine ?
Pretty much impossible to conclude from that (almost) one stage anything about the Fiesta, especially in the conditions that were there. As proven by the crash Suninen was driving on the edge.
Lots of different cars (and drivers) could do a quick stage time or two at the expense of massive risks, ref. Meeke with C3.
Jan 2020
'Malcolm Wilson is hopeful that the upgrade which is slated to arrive at the fourth round will move the team forwards once more.
“This is the biggest change we’ve made to the engine since we started work with this car [in 2017],” Wilson told Motorsport.com. “It’s a big step. As you’d expect, we’ve worked closely with Ford on this, with Ford doing a lot of the modelling work on the engine.
“When it comes, we’ll have more power, torque and driveability – like I said, it will make a big difference. Once we’ve got that in place, I don’t see any reason really why we shouldn’t be challenging [for victory] on all remaining rounds of the series.'
1) My point was not whether or not they stay but why would they want to spend in order to do so, when they can take those paydrivers..
2) Skoda are not in the top class but sell lots of Rally2 cars
3) Not so sure about that.. won't they be even more complicated and expensive than the current ones?
[
Imo Skoda are a perfect example of always hiring at least one top driver in the category to help sell the cars. (Lappi, Rovanpera, Solberg, Mikkelsen...). I don't think any of these paid large sums of money to start with Skoda.
Quite opposite to recent MSport WRC policy.
WRC1 seems more of a vanity project now for M-Sport. They cant compete with the two factory teams without Ford as a full manufacturer team, or afford a top driver in this economic climate.
They could concentrate on WRC2/3 and promote thelr Fiesta Rally2 that way with no detriment.
Credit them for at least giving us a 3rd WRC car to watch but dont expect them to win much.
In F1 the prize money is so much for the top teams that together with other sponsorship revenues and the promotion for the brand it's almost a no-brainer for them to compete there.
But I doubt there is much excess in WRC once the costs of running the circus, especially All-Live are taken into account.
They already have the WRC cars, and have invested in upgrades, so they might as well run them for their final eligible season in 2021.
And with the driver deals they shouldnt make a loss, even if it doesnt actually make a profit or get any great results.
There will be at least three Fiesta WRC's at Arctic Rally Finland. Could be even four if Tuohino manages to rent his car.
It looks Tuohino can drive himself.
Very valid pont. At first i wondered why on earth would MSport register this year if they were to concentrate on the new 2022 car - a few events here and there would have been enough. If indeed they are breakeven with their current line-up, so why not ?
Howezver I am really uhsure now that they will even make it to 2022's top class. Someone said in this thread that WRC1 was Malcolm's vanity project - it may be true. Business-wise MSport would be better off concentrating on regaining its market share for the lower classes. This has been eroding slowly, with a high acceleration lately. Not good when you run a business ! focus on your fundamentals !
In formula one teams pay an entry fee based on the amount on points they collected last year. The more points, the more they pay the year after.
But they get money according to their position in the constructors standings and some other deals they made in the past.
Ferrari gets about 200 million, while torro rosso "only" got 52 million.
So even the smallest f1 teams have the same or bigger budgets than the biggest wrc teams.
That is why i keep saying we have to get rid of the need for manufacturers approval. Everyone should be able to build a wrc car, as long as its according to the rules. Not just official car manufacturers, who often have different goals and interests.
On the Dirtfish video summary of RMC, David Evans stated M-Sport cannot afford any more big crashes as they dont have many more WRC chassis' available.
Knowing this situation wont make it any easier for their drivers to push to the limit this year.
I also wonder if this is why they didnt put the upgraded engines in yet in case they got destroyed so early in the year ?
https://www.ewrc-results.com/cars-ow...fiesta-wrc-17/
#1 M-Sport
#2 Lorenzo Bertelli
#3 M-Sport
#4 M-Sport
#5 OT Racing
#6 JanPro Racing
#7 M-Sport
#8 M-Sport
#9 M-Sport
#10 Armando Pereira
#11 Destroyed
#12 R+ SPORT
Just 12 in total... what a difference compared to the original Fiesta WRC:
In it's five years (2011-2016) there were 25 works Fiesta WRC's and 62 built in total. Yes, 62 !
https://www.ewrc-results.com/carinfo...-rrc/?car=1456
54. The 61 and 62 numeration was different.
Good article about M-Sport's current situation and future in the WRC.
https://dirtfish.com/rally/why-m-spo...shot-for-2022/
whats the deal here lately with some members getting offensive or personal when others have a different opinion.
So you're a professional rally driver and not an armchair expert?
I've been saying all along I was happy to see Suninen being on the pace, meaning the Fiesta can still challenge the other cars.
I still don't think Greensmith will ever challenge anyone.
I think we all here love M-Sport.
Internet rules. In the real world those guys usually find out the hard way they were talking when they should have been listening.
Simply being polite and accepting the opinions of others is a basic sign of being an adult, these days the internet allows to much to hide behind.
I don't see why you need to have a tone like this, but that was mentioned already.
Thing is, I don't remember anyone saying they don't understand MSport situation. But that doesn't mean we are and should be happy about it.
In the article there isn't really much new compared to what has been discussed here forever.
Sure they write off this season to focus on 2022 development, that's perfectly understandable.
What is a bit less understandable is how Malcom is seemingly totally convinced they have a top car atm and only miss a driver. From the outside it is very hard to see much proof of that, (almost) one stage in massive rain...and before that rarely any top speed in 2020. If he really thinks that it shows what he thinks about Suninen and Lappi. I think that he either just talks up his product or means that if he had driver and money for development they could be up there.
That leads to the next point discussed in detail here. To get top car for 2022 they might need an experienced driver at some point in development, but more importantly need to attract a top driver for 2022. The last part Wilson say they will try. Might be interesting silly season then since afaik both Tanak and Neuville are out of contract.
Finally what I voiced is how do they motivate the team when all they get is crash on first stage and Greensmith behind Rally2 cars. That actual does seem to be a problem since also he mentioned how they worked so hard to get to Monte. What people here suggested is that MSport could have one top driver to show the car speed without having to pay. Malcolm says that would need "x millions of pounds". I find it hard to believe that drivers like Meeke, Mikkelsen, Paddon or Lappi would ask for that for a few stats or even a season this year. From Suninen and Lappis comments it rather seems it's Malcolm asking those sums from them.
I'm a big M-Sport fan but not necessarily Greensmith fan. I also understand why it is how it is at the moment but stating these things doesn't make Gus any faster. My all hopes are laid to engine upgrade, Fourmaux and Suninen. We all know Gus isn't there because of his raw talent.
It's painful to see what M-Sport goes through atm but hoping for the best in 2022 and Tänak (or even both Tänak and Neuville) behind the wheel of a Ford once again as we all know Hyundai could be still leaving the sport.
Being a fan though doesn't mean you lose your head and judgement (yes, I'm looking at you Eddie)
Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk
Not sure what is going to change for MSport for 2022 that's going to provide the budget to test & develop the car sufficiently and allow for one of more top line drivers to sign for them. Given the worldwide automotive climate I can't see Ford investing heavily, they could have done it before now and wouldn't do it to keep Ogier, so unless a big sponsor is waiting in the wings I don't see how it's going to happen unfortunately.