Silly Season 2019

[Japé]

Comments to earlier sponsor related discussion. Microsoft is more like tech partner for Toyota (WRC and before in F1), there is even Toyota WRC (sales)films made how the partnership benefits both parties. Qatar I just forgot, but based to quick look of few older WRC photos, it really seems that previous non-automotive related sponsors were Marlboro with Peugeot in '05, '04 (and with Mitzubishi before that) and Movistar Telefonica (linked to Sainz) with Citroën and Ford, so quite a while ago. Might there be rules nowadays in WRC (like in F1) that all cars in the team must have a same outlook?


What comes to Katsuta, I would have thought that Toyota would have been more interested about his success in Rally Japan 2020 which would have meant 2019 calendar for him more like a Monte, Tour de Corse, Germany and Catalonia.

[Mirek]

Comments to earlier sponsor related discussion. Microsoft is more like tech partner for Toyota (WRC and before in F1), there is even Toyota WRC (sales)films made how the partnership benefits both parties. Qatar I just forgot, but based to quick look of few older WRC photos, it really seems that previous non-automotive related sponsors were Marlboro with Peugeot in '05, '04 (and with Mitzubishi before that) and Movistar Telefonica (linked to Sainz) with Citroën and Ford, so quite a while ago. Might there be rules nowadays in WRC (like in F1) that all cars in the team must have a same outlook?.

RedBull, DMG Mori, Monster, Certina, Abu Dhabi, Jipocar, Stobart, DC, Tools, EuroLoto, Mentos etc. are certainly not automotive branches and they were or still are active in WRC.

[Tarmop]

No (probably), Evans was an official M-Sport driver last year in a DMack coloured car.

Mirek, it was about title/main sponsors, none of them are that for a works team. Some are sponsors/owned by privateers etc.

[racerx1979]

https://www.rallit.fi/citroenin-wrc-...i-mm-kaudeksi/

Pierre Budar says they will have Red Bull sponsorship next year, but Abu Dhabi is still under negotiations. Budar says he would like to have both.

He also says their main target for 2019 will be drivers championship, and that having Loeb in the third car won't be a money issue

I heard Loeb was and has been getting a salary through PSA even when he is not participating in any form of Motorsport. With that being said he would have to get paid a good amount of money to leave and do a drive for MSport.

[TWRC]

https://www.rallit.fi/citroenin-wrc-...i-mm-kaudeksi/

Pierre Budar says they will have Red Bull sponsorship next year, but Abu Dhabi is still under negotiations. Budar says he would like to have both.

He also says their main target for 2019 will be drivers championship, and that having Loeb in the third car won't be a money issue

So maybe 2 cars will have Red Bull colors, and the 3rd Abu Dhabi?

[Mirek]

No (probably), Evans was an official M-Sport driver last year in a DMack coloured car.

Mirek, it was about title/main sponsors, none of them are that for a works team. Some are sponsors/owned by privateers etc.

Abu Dhabi was title sponsor of Citroën, RedBull Škoda in 2006 and a main sponsor of VW 2013-2016, Stobart was an owner of a semi-works team, DMG Mori is the second biggest sponsor of Toyota, not a title sponsor but a big one.

I also forgot Gauloisses as a main sponsor of Kronos/Citroën in 2006.

[AnttiL]

So maybe 2 cars will have Red Bull colors, and the 3rd Abu Dhabi?

I still stand in my silly season prediction that AD goes over to M-Sport

[Allez Andruet]

I heard Loeb was and has been getting a salary through PSA even when he is not participating in any form of Motorsport.

Not to be an a-hole, but when Loeb hasn't been involved in any form of motorsport?

[racerx1979]

Not to be an a-hole, but when Loeb hasn't been involved in any form of motorsport?

rarely ..lol

[Rally Power]

So maybe 2 cars will have Red Bull colors, and the 3rd Abu Dhabi?

Whatever the way, I hope Abu Dhabi will manage to continue; it’d be strange to see them leaving when, for the first time, they have a serious chance to get a title with Citroen.