Silly Season 2019

[EstWRC]

That Citroen ain’t that bad, it’s the drivers, for example take ogier away from M-Sport and you could say the Ford isn’t a good car. And Citroen are making progress with the car, whereas M-Sport has gone backwards after getting the support from Ford IMO.

[tomhlord]

None of us know what happens behind the scenes, but Ford have provided more assistance than M-Sport had had since they pulled out.

Ogier jumping to a Citroen team which has been in dissaray, with a dodgy car, plus the dropping of Meeke, is a big gamble.

He could show a bit of patience and loyalty to M-Sport.

Aye, massive gamble. But, pure speculation, if Citroen has said what they are spending over the next three years, layed out an R&D and testing road plan, given clear number one status and allow imput into the big development decisions, then that is perhaps more of a guarantee than another one-year deal with M-Sport with the potential for delayed updates — in the meantime Toyota introduce a new engine and cooling package and Hyundai a new diff and aero set-up.

[deephouse]

Personally I would prefer Ogier going to Citroen. After all M-Sport needs a quick driver too. So Meeke, and then we will surely know if he is the problem or was he C3 itself.

[dnb]

Kankkunen did that nearly 30 years ago. But nobody has never done at least 2 championships with 2 different manufacturer.

What about winning with every WRC team driver has been in? Citroen, VW and M-Sport for Ogier is a perfect set.

[Tarmop]

Wilson said in Turkey, that if Ogier leaves, plan is to do it like they did it before, so customers, among whom are some developing youngsters (Suninen probably one) and some hobby drivers. Basically making profit and not thinking about the championship.

[Zeakiwi]

Wilson said in Turkey, that if Ogier leaves, plan is to do it like they did it before, so customers, among whom are some developing youngsters (Suninen probably one) and some hobby drivers. Basically making profit and not thinking about the championship.

Does that mean Evans gets benched in favour of the 'pay for the car' guys? or a return of D-Mack for a car if Ford lowers the funding with no Ogier?

[Tarmop]

I don`t know, maybe zero salary?

[T16]

None of us know what happens behind the scenes, but Ford have provided more assistance than M-Sport had had since they pulled out.

Ogier jumping to a Citroen team which has been in dissaray, with a dodgy car, plus the dropping of Meeke, is a big gamble.

He could show a bit of patience and loyalty to M-Sport.

Eddie, I think you see the M-Sport / Ford relationship through rose tinted glasses... if they had received anything significant from Ford (that worked well), then they would have shouted about it.

And you also say Ogier should have shown some loyalty to them... I think that's what he did this year, by re-signing for them.

[er88]

I also agree regarding the C3 now. Meeke won with it twice last season and it could've been 3 times if not for the mechanical issue in Corsica. It's also been on the pace this year in Finland and Turkey (at points) recently, while Breen took 2nd in Sweden and Meeke/Loeb could've been challengers for the win in Mexico. Meeke also moved into the lead in Portugal before the punctures. So it's always had the speed in certain conditions.

What they had to work on was widening the performance range of the car and improving driveability across a whole rally and more difficult conditions. They clearly have had issues with the car but after belatedly listening to their drivers feedback and finally making upgrades, I think after two seasons they are in a much better place. Now they just need a top line driver, as that is the missing piece of the puzzle. Ostberg will never be that and Breen has a long way to go.

With Seb on-board he'd drive the team forward and if they back him 100% and implement any changes he pushes for, I believe he can fight for another title as soon as next year with Citroen. It sounds like they've found a lot of extra money for Seb and if they get a long term commitment, it's great for the championship. I don't think they'd have stuck around if they weren't able to attract Seb or Thierry. Whereas Msport will more than likely always be in the WRC even if it's just with paying drivers or very young and upcoming drivers.

[AnttiL]

Does that mean Evans gets benched in favour of the 'pay for the car' guys? or a return of D-Mack for a car if Ford lowers the funding with no Ogier?

You think Evans is on a high salary this year? I think he brings more money to the team. Same with Suninen. Their backers are trying to invest in the future and Red Bull pays something.

DMack is not probably getting back with such big investment.