Ford is withdrawing from WRC!

[Humber]

I wonder if VW will try to save money by not signing Latvala.
I wonder if 2013 will be like when Garde and Kresta were driving the Focus.

[andyone]

huh. but by the looks of it. Ford are still on the mix. lets hope they stay there.

[RS]

I wonder if VW will try to save money by not signing Latvala.

You mean on saved wages or uncrashed cars?

To be fair, Latvala has become a lot more reliable in the second half of the year but I am sure the first half of the year didn't do much to help persuade Ford to stay.

[Mark]

SO we talk about Ford leaving in this Thread and the News & Rumours one right? That's why this Thread doesn't make sense.

A new thread should be posted every time there is a major development. Otherwise why have a multiple threads feature at all?

[Mihai]

My crystal ball sees JML to VW, plus Mikkelsen buying an M-Sport drive for next year, with Petter Solberg staying with Malcolm for 2013 after accepting peanuts as payment.

Al-Attiyah furious for already having a contract with Citroen and thus ruining his chance of becoming lead driver at M-Sport next year.

[I am evil Homer]

Hardly a surprise. With all the issues around promoting the sport why invest millions into something only a small group of people watch. I'd suggest that Ford could be doing a Citroen here...they'll see how the new promotion goes and maybe put some funds M-Sport's way come 2014.

In the meantime M-Sport continues with the Fiesta and people have to pay more for it.

Bad news for Petter I think.

[A FONDO]

Still plenty of time 'til we know what will happen with M-sport in 2013 season. Even if they don't participate, at their place we will have VW. But I believe Malcolm will somehow succee to make an "M" team. And/or strong team in S-WRC.

[Langdale Forest]

If Matthew Wilson had never been put into a 5+ year plan, would Ford still be in the WRC next year?

[RS]

If Matthew Wilson had never been put into a 5+ year plan, would Ford still be in the WRC next year?

Erm, no?

[A.F.F.]

You mean on saved wages or uncrashed cars?

To be fair, Latvala has become a lot more reliable in the second half of the year but I am sure the first half of the year didn't do much to help persuade Ford to stay.

I was about to ask the very same.

Latvala's salary is going to be a fly's poop in VW's budget. Chrashing cars is another story. But, Latvala is able to win rallies. That's something only Ogier is able to do next year.