Good shout Sniper. They do seem super-committed to 2022 and very bullish about their new car (if you pardon the pun ;) )
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Good shout Sniper. They do seem super-committed to 2022 and very bullish about their new car (if you pardon the pun ;) )
Decent backing from Ford despite what many believe. Upto Msport to attract a title sponsor, and they've failed to deliver for so many years in that regard. Hopefully RB can properly come on board next year and onwards...., and this isn't just a random promotion of a driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I get the feeling this is Red Bull backing an up and coming driver - adding to their athlete programme; rather than team sponsorship. Like 2017 Ogier had Red Bull livery, Tanak didn't as he wasn't/ isn't a Red Bull athlete.
I think Ford always supports when they develop a car, but running the yearly program is always up to M-Sport by themselves.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
I think Red Bull as the promoter is not really pleased to see one of the "future guys" going around in top class car with the Monster logo all over the bonnet.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
They had their chance... I'd love to see Monster come in properly and give Red Bull a kick up the arse.Quote:
Originally Posted by wyler
Mikkelsen has RB deal, and is working towards a deal with M-sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Probably a connection here?
Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk
they had, but until someone else came they were the brand of rallying without spending any money (in the last times). now they have again to enter the field too! for sure is good for the sport to have this sponsor battle (and for m-sport if they nail the big deal!)Quote:
Originally Posted by the sniper
Sound of the beast: https://twitter.com/fordperformance/...185152521?s=21
Fiesta rear light..
Nice that Ford tweeted it too... wonder if they’ve grown a set and are going to get a bit more involved.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Werent the 2022 cars supposed to be rollcages + panels/aerokits? It looks like a production-based Fiesta in these pics.
They said a while ago they would use a test mule at first.
Both options are possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by lmmjvss
too early for silly season 22' and ,,one of Hyundai's drivers seen at London airport..'' ? :D
They said they would look pretty much the same, It's just like the RX2's are built almost i would believe
Is the new car Puma or Fiesta ? When can we get the picture of the new car
Test mule is Fiesta, 2022 Rally1 car could be other...Quote:
Originally Posted by 1988senna
Testing starts today, so pictures very soon.
Funny story where Lappi jokes to rallit.fi that they should send Rich Millener his number. Then they actually ask Millener if he has the number and he says they just texted a while ago. Millener also says they start the 2022 car testing with the current WRC drivers and Matthew Wilson, but may need external specialists later.
EDIT: Forgot link https://www.rallit.fi/esapekka-lappi...alaiskuskille/
any test update information?
I was also wondering about this. They made some press news etc and still no info. I wonder what happened...
I thought they also tweeted "this is all we can reveal so far", but it was clearly important for them to claim they were the first to start testing. When Toyota tests in the forests, it's open for everyone. But M-Sport has closed facilities for testing.
New updated engine for Croatia and further improvements to come before the July cut-off point:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/m-spo...ne-in-croatia/
If M-Sport should hire a typical "asphalt specialist" for coratia, just to prove that the car has the speed - Who should they ask for a one off?
Who is the 2021 Panizzi?
Sincerely, no one. Although there best option would be FormauxQuote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
2017 and 2018 Catalunya winners Meeke and Loeb would be available.
Highly doubt Loeb would drive for them and Meeke would probably ended up costing more to the team xDQuote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Fourmaux allready go.
Sordo is the best non participating in that rally.
Except Sordo has a contract at Hyundai.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Appart from mentioned Loeb and Meeke, Latvala has some job as well.
Which leaves Mikkelsen who has more recent WRC tarmac win vs Sordo (2015 vs 2013) as well as second place (2017 vs 2016). Though obviously after the i20 WRC tarmac speed it's quite hard to think of him as "Panizzi". Then again nobody says Loeb cant drive on tarmac after similar experience.
Anyway kinda pointless discussion. Fourmaux seems like a decent tarmac driver, so I won't be surprised if he even is ahead of Suninen on some stages. Suninen has some moments on tarmac but can't seem to keep the pace over multiple stages.
Don't think Suninen is even going to Croatia unfortunately.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Yes, Suninen won't do Croatia.
Huh didn't notice. So Fourmaux will only have Greensmith to compare.... ok.
If the only goal is to prove the speed of the car: meeke.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
Most likely he will crash, but he might do it while leading the rally. :p
I'm surprised they're going to Croatia with the new engine, but only Fourmaux and Greensmith in the car.
An 'asphalt specialist' would have to be one with current WRC car experience to have any chance ie Meeke.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
Otherwise you'd need a maniac like Lukyanuk or Kubica just to show the car's pace before probably crashing it.
Or just Suninen. He was fastest on first stage in RMC, before crash, wasn´t he? Maybe was it a bit slushy...? Not pure tarmac?
However I would go for Suninen if I was Malcolm...
Because Suninen couldn't get the budget together for the whole season. But his program should be broader than the half-season originally planned.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
MAR 31, 2021 | M-SPORT PRESS RELEASE
M-SPORT FORD COMMIT TO WRC HYBRID ERA
—————————————————
UNITED KINGDOM - M-Sport Ford have committed to the future of rallying – pledging to register and participate in the FIA World Rally Championship’s new hybrid era from 2022 to 2024.
This new commitment strengthens M-Sport’s relationship with the Blue Oval – a partnership which has delivered considerable success over more than two decades.
Joining forces in 1997, M-Sport Ford have secured seven FIA World Rally Championships, 61 victories, 262 podiums and more than 1500 stage wins – making them one of the sport’s most successful partnerships with an unbroken record of 258 consecutive point scores.
The introduction of hybrid technology into the FIA World Rally Championship signals a landmark development at the highest level of the sport – and M-Sport Ford remain committed to delivering top results with rally-winning technology.
The commitment also ensures M-Sport’s continuation at the pinnacle of the sport – safeguarding jobs and boosting engineering expertise at the team’s Dovenby Hall headquarters.
Aligned with Ford’s global strategy towards creating a more sustainable future, the world’s toughest championship for production-based cars is now fully committed to the introduction of greener technology; and M-Sport Ford are fully committed to the continuation of their successful partnership.
M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“It’s always been important for our sport to move with the times, and this commitment to hybrid technology aligns the future of rallying with Ford’s global commitment towards a more sustainable future.
“As the toughest championship for production-based cars, the FIA World Rally Championship provides the perfect platform to test, develop and promote the latest road car technology – making this development integral to the relevance and continuation of our sport.
“It has also been integral to the continuation of our successful partnership with Ford and safeguards the immediate future of M-Sport in the FIA World Rally Championship.
“Over the past two decades we have delivered some fantastic performances and developed some of the championship’s most successful cars and drivers. Working closely with Ford Performance, it is our intention to continue that success in 2022 and progress on our latest challenger continues with testing both here in the UK and in America.
“There is still a long way to go, but we’re committed to delivering another rally winner as the world moves towards a more sustainable future.”
Global Director for Ford Performance, Mark Rushbrook, said:
“The WRC’s transition from pure internal combustion engine powertrains to hybrid technology comes at an opportune time for Ford.
“The company is rapidly moving towards an electrified future, developing hybrid and electric vehicle technology for our newest passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles around the world.
“Running a hybrid Rally 1 car next season will enable us to test and demonstrate this technology in the thrilling spectacle that is WRC, and we can’t wait to show you what it can do!”
https://performance.ford.com/series/...rt-hybrid.html