M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[Andre Oliveira]

[mknight]

Let's put a Gurney flap... EVERYWHERE!

Anyway interesting find, either they ran out of "old" fronts or they were persuaded by Suninen & his team to use it.

[the sniper]

Is anybody else worried that we might not see a full M-Sport RC1 team program in 2021? Lappi isn't paying. FFSA aren't interested in Rally1 yet. Mr Jouhki probably won't be able to see a return on funding Suninen again. What options remain? Gus' dad paying for a full season? Even just theoretically, who else? The only reasonable option would seem to be the speculation about Orlen/Lotos funding a seat for Kubica and Katjo, but all seems to be quiet on that front, so maybe there was nothing to that either? Running the team out of Poland might become advantageous with Brexit...

Maybe the time has come where Malcolm will go through with his threat of many years and pull the plug on the WRC/Rally1 program? Concentrating on a proper Rally2 program, with professional drivers, more PET and a more comprehensive development program, might actually make far more sense for M-Sport as a business, selling rally cars.

[meh]

Compared to previous years, this year I have not noticed talks with tone "We don't have enough support from Ford so we are not sure to continue at all". Economically they seem to have hard times, but what is actually going on, probably only insiders know or can assume.

[pantealex]

Is anybody else worried that we might not see a full M-Sport RC1 team program in 2021? Lappi isn't paying. FFSA aren't interested in Rally1 yet. Mr Jouhki probably won't be able to see a return on funding Suninen again. What options remain? Gus' dad paying for a full season? Even just theoretically, who else? The only reasonable option would seem to be the speculation about Orlen/Lotos funding a seat for Kubica and Katjo, but all seems to be quiet on that front, so maybe there was nothing to that either? Running the team out of Poland might become advantageous with Brexit...

Maybe the time has come where Malcolm will go through with his threat of many years and pull the plug on the WRC/Rally1 program? Concentrating on a proper Rally2 program, with professional drivers, more PET and a more comprehensive development program, might actually make far more sense for M-Sport as a business, selling rally cars.

Yes. Why would they pay 200K entry fee to WRC when everyone knows that will be last in Manu Champ ?
FIA just can´t ban Fiesta WRC use for privateers, because we need all possible WRC starters.

[AnttiL]

Yes. Why would they pay 200K entry fee to WRC when everyone knows that will be last in Manu Champ ?
FIA just can´t ban Fiesta WRC use for privateers, because we need all possible WRC starters.

Taking part in the championship also means they need to take part in all rallies with two cars. If they have only Greensmith and maybe some other paying for events here and there, it makes more sense to do them outside the championship. But it would be interesting to see how the cars would be shown on TV or seeded in the starting order etc.

[bwallace]

If some one remember Davidas Jocius He was intresting on paying to M-Sport for seat last season but covid-19 make sense to stop it in next round. Some people saying that might 2021 season he might drive half seson if he got deal with sponsors (but is on rumours).

[AnttiL]

If some one remember Davidas Jocius He was intresting on paying to M-Sport for seat last season but covid-19 make sense to stop it in next round. Some people saying that might 2021 season he might drive half seson if he got deal with sponsors (but is on rumours).

Yeah, he actually got to drive only Monte. He canceled Sweden at last minute because a storm canceled his flight from France to Sweden

[Fast Eddie WRC]

From what Gerard Quinn says, Ford backing for M-Sport has remained pretty substantial. They have always assisted in the development of the improved engine and aero via Ford Performance.

It seems it is M-Sport's own (2020 Covid-affected) finances which are the main problem. Plus the lack of a big sponsorship partner.

2021 WRC entry is a big worry, but if anyone can find a way its Malcolm Wilson.

[AndyRAC]

What is pretty substantial? If it was, they could afford testing, top drivers, etc

Conclusion: Ford don't think the WRC is worth it financially.