[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[focus206]

I hope that if this is true, VW will create a semi-works team in M-Sport style, would be a waste otherwise... Hoping they will make an expection for their bulls**t politics of their cars run only and exclusively under VW Motorsport banner. But I doubt they care.

[AL14]

Perfect time for Ford to return

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Would be great but that's not a decison you make so quickly. Maybe if they would have known some months ago...

[er88]

Would be great but that's not a decison you make so quickly. Maybe if they would have known some months ago...

If they were planning to return in 2018, which is what I had heard, they could accelerate their comeback with this news to get Ogier. Or maybe they have already decided to return in 2017 ?
Remember everything is nearly in place with Msport anyway, who have tested and developed the car with a lot of technical assistance from Ford.

They just need the financial clout that a huge global manufacturer would bring to land Seb. He is a gamechanger for these teams, in that he is as close as you can get to guaranteed success in the WRC. Every team including Citroen and Hyundai should be trying to attract Seb by doing whatever it takes.....

[Mirek]

Yes, we shouldn´t forget also Audi has to pack in at WEC.

That was mainly because of Porsche a) beating them in Le Mans and b) having decisive word in VAG.

[Mirek]

Is this an opportunity for Skoda to enter WRC? Let's hope so!

I don't think so. We'll be happy if they continue with R5 works team. In this moment the official word is that they won't reduce motorsport activities for next year.

[AndyRAC]

I hope that if this is true, VW will create a semi-works team in M-Sport style, would be a waste otherwise... Hoping they will make an expection for their bulls**t politics of their cars run only and exclusively under VW Motorsport banner. But I doubt they care.

It's not their style to do this - and as the reports says, they won't be changing this policy. The 2017 WRCar will go to the VW museum most probably.

[BigWorm]

It's not their style to do this - and as the reports says, they won't be changing this policy. The 2017 WRCar will go to the VW museum most probably.

Can't help but smile when I see your location, it reminds me of a stage in a certain rally game...

To stay on topic, they have not let their car to be used by privateers as of yet, so that wouldn't change I think.

[KKS]

Some remarks:
- You all put Ogier to M-Sport with Tanak alongside, but you forgot that Camilli has signed contract with M-sport to 2017 as 2nd driver. So it's same way as replace already signed drivers in Hyundai or Citroen. And if Hyundai have money for that move, M-Sport doesn't have it. So it's probably be Ogier-Tanak-Camilli
- VW drivers have signed to VW in 2017 and have salary, in one hand they can "drive for free" in such team as M-sport, in other hand VW can say "You have a contract and you must sit tight whole 2017 and maybe do some rallys with SkodaR5". So future this trio also can be decided by VW top-management
- And I have strong premonition that's Ogier knows about this situation, and already have a deal with Malcolm with VW approval. Because Ogier at GB feels so relax, he know about rumors inside VW Team and having direct access to VW WRC Team heads as can told him all situation.
- And looks like JML know about this as well, but can't find a good choice for 2017 yet.

[focus206]

It's not their style to do this - and as the reports says, they won't be changing this policy. The 2017 WRCar will go to the VW museum most probably.

I don't care about their "style", it's not an excuse nor a god's law: it's their own (VW) fault if they have to pull out, having a new car in good stage of development would be a good reason to change their style and do something good for rallysport. But yes, if this is all true I agree that it won't likely happen, they will keep their idiotic and disrespectful "style".

[COD]

Do not forget that if VW pulls the plug and doesn't participate in 2017 WRC they still have their drivers under contract. Which means that they will get salary from VW (at least for 2017, maybe longer depending on their contractual terms). Which would mean that they can drive for anyone at very low price or even for free without affecting their income - which in turn means that missing budget wouldn't be a problem.

Also, for 2017 any team is a potential employer because everyone is in same situation eg. with new and unproven car. The only downside is that the three VW drivers have not tested any of those new cars (which they'll do before signing) and will not have same amount of testing than other drivers that have developed those cars. So in this sense, switch for 2017 season is a bit easier to make than normally.

So the big question for them is: which team provides not only best car for 2017 but also best total package for 2018 when they conceivably have to be paid for real.

VW can also say: " we pay, but you don't drive for anyone else. Or if you drive, we don't pay"