Silly Season 2019

[mknight]

Here is a controversial thought (I like those):

I don't feel all that sorry when Malcolm complains that he used to sell 16 WRC cars a year now sold only 2 in last 2 years. When business was good for MSport some 5+ years ago there were 2 manufacturers in WRC with 4-5 top drivers. Rest was often paying drivers with less than top skills. To use names, when MSport had good business positions 6-10 would always be the likes of Matt Wilson, Villagra, Kuipers, Al Quassimi, Prokop etc.all om Fiestas. Now you will often find rally winners on positions 6-10 because of the close competition.

Yes 2017 rules and car running cost are part of the reason they don't sell cars but there are also other reasons:

- R5 which is getting as fast as not so old WRCs, is fun to watch and cheap so that there is good number of them in many championships
- with 4 teams there are more spots for "young" drivers so less incentive to pay to drive
- some managers (Veiby at least) don't do the "paying driver" style that usually Msport benefited a lot from

So what is good for the sport is not necessarily good for Msport.... but if that forces Msport to leave WRC it's a problem again.

Msport is also a victim of own success, when they managed to get both titles with much lower factory support than Hyundai/Toyota/Citroen I can totally see how Ford execs were asking why the need to put in more money if they win anyway.

[dimviii]

.. but if that forces Msport to leave WRC it's a problem again.

.

its not going to happen for any reason.
Malcolm just pushes his wills.

[racerx1979]

Breen's comment about taking off on his newly purchased Metro 6R4 to vent his frustration after he heard Seb was on the team must say something. He obviously does not have a solid spot on the team at this point. He may even be sharing a car with Ostberg or someone else if he stays at Citroen.

[SubaruNorway]

Budar seemingly confirming that Citroën will only run two cars next year on All live...

[racerx1979]

Budar seemingly confirming that Citroën will only run two cars next year on All live...

Yep. If Lappi is in Breen will be going to Ford or possibly Toyota. Maybe we have Suninen, Paddon or Evand and Breen at Msport.

[RS]

Breen's comment about taking off on his newly purchased Metro 6R4 to vent his frustration after he heard Seb was on the team must say something. He obviously does not have a solid spot on the team at this point. He may even be sharing a car with Ostberg or someone else if he stays at Citroen.

Maybe he already knew Lappi was coming and when they signed Seb that meant the two full time seats were taken.

Loeb plus pay drivers for the third car maybe.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Just two cars and priority is the Driver's title for Citroen... surprising.

[mknight]

A bit weird to hire Lappi if that is the case imo.

[EstWRC]

Lappi get ready then!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Maybe he already knew Lappi was coming and when they signed Seb that meant the two full time seats were taken.

Loeb plus pay drivers for the third car maybe.

Breen was 'annoyed' last night when M.Wilson was asked if a Brit would be joining a Finn (Suninen) at M-Sport...