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  1. #2891
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    Quote Originally Posted by AndyRAC View Post
    Exactly! This is were M-Sport have fallen down in the last few years; money - not enough of it to develop, and pay for a top driver!! To get Ogier, and stay competitive, they're going to need a large budget - something they've not had for years. There doesn't seem to be any noise regarding the return of Ford...I suspect WorldRX is enough for them to promote the RS brand.
    I personally think there is a lot happening behind the curtains - and also at Ford. An opportunity like this is very rare. There is proper marketing value here ... and it might even be cheap compared to how it would normally be.

    I think Malcom Wilsons phone is ringing non-stop right now. There are 3 challenges for him.

    - Can he get the budget via sponsors
    - Can he get Ford involved
    - Can he get Ogier

    Hyundai and Toyota are not in this game. It's either Citroën or M-Sport that's gonna sign Ogier ... unless he walks away from the WRC all together.

    And one last thing. I bet you that Ogier is trying to get the feel of how the press and the fans react to him possibly signing for M-Sport Ford. If there is a buzz about the idea in the whole rally community and among the fans, then that might be the decisive factor. There is a HUGE difference between being and champion .... and a LEGEND! He's a champion with VW. He will be a legend if he becomes champion with M-Sport Ford.
    Fan of WRC and MotoGP.

  2. Likes: Andre Oliveira (5th November 2016)
  3. #2892
    Senior Member itix's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by N.O.T View Post
    I do not value rally drivers of an era that a woman could even be competitive, they were nothing.
    ...and that's where I lost the last ounce of respect I had for you. Doesn't matter how right you are about something anymore, all of my respect for you is gone.

  4. Likes: skarderud (5th November 2016)
  5. #2893
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeD View Post
    He's a champion with VW. He will be a legend if he becomes champion with M-Sport Ford.
    I agree, but also with any other brand.
    Post your own splits on the net: find RallyStopwatch on the Google Play Store.
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  6. #2894
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    Think about Ogier for a bit, his personality, he wants to win and he is no doubt always comparing himself to Loeb. His goal has been from the start to beat Loeb's records because let's face it, except for Loeb, until now he has had no true rival. I think Ogier will pick the best car available, all other things like his respect for Wilson and bad relationship with Meeke or Citroen are secondary, even money is secondary. All that matters is where is his best chance to win more championships.

    I too, as many othes have said here, would like to see an Ogier-MSport combination, as it would be a mix between an underdog team and a 4 time WDC so it would be in itself interesting but also if the team has fewer resources than the others it could be a more level playing field. It sounds nice and the chances of it happening seem to be increasing.

    There's just one thing that's bothering me. What if those reports that the Fiesta has the best aero are true and it starts the year with a significant advantage? What if we get to the middle of the season and Ogier once again has a huge lead. Sure he will be in a different car but it will be the same thing again. I think the WRC needs a real fight for the championship and I'm not entirely sure we're going to get it even if Ogier goes to MSport.

  7. #2895
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    Quote Originally Posted by HaCo View Post
    I agree, but also with any other brand.
    No. Winning it in a Ford would be more speciel since they haven't won the drivers' title since Ari Vatanens 1981 title. Furthermore a lot of long-term rally fans have a special place in their heart for Ford, because they have been in the championship in almost the whole of the championships history. Most other Manufacturers' come and go depending on their marketing plans.
    Fan of WRC and MotoGP.

  8. Likes: Andre Oliveira (5th November 2016)
  9. #2896
    Senior Member AL14's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeD View Post
    And one last thing. I bet you that Ogier is trying to get the feel of how the press and the fans react to him possibly signing for M-Sport Ford. If there is a buzz about the idea in the whole rally community and among the fans, then that might be the decisive factor. There is a HUGE difference between being and champion .... and a LEGEND! He's a champion with VW. He will be a legend if he becomes champion with M-Sport Ford.
    Ogier is already a legend. Winning 4 times the championship with such domination can't just make you a champion. Of course he will do something special if wins at m-sport. Let's hope there will be enough money and garantees to convince him.

  10. Likes: A FONDO (5th November 2016)
  11. #2897
    Senior Member Rally Power's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeD View Post
    Apart from that, I hope nobody believes Matton when he's saying he hasn't got the car for Ogier. That's not Mattons call, that's Linda Jackson's call. If Ogier signs for Citroën you can bet he will have whatever he's asking for, no matter what Matton says. He can have the C3 as team leader from the word "Go" in Monte...
    Most likely not even Linda’s call…this one will certainly go up to Carlos Tavares, PSA’s CEO. Tavares is a notorious Petrolhead (being a Portuguese he was infected by rally virus on an early age) and he was at Renault when the Ogier/Citroen split occurred. So, he has no regrets and motorsport runs on his veins; another one that 'will do everything to make sure Ogier gets in'?
    Rally addict since 1982

  12. #2898
    Senior Member itix's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rally Power View Post
    Most likely not even Linda’s call…this one will certainly go up to Carlos Tavares, PSA’s CEO. Tavares is a notorious Petrolhead (being a Portuguese he was infected by rally virus on an early age) and he was at Renault when the Ogier/Citroen split occurred. So, he has no regrets and motorsport runs on his veins; another one that 'will do everything to make sure Ogier gets in'?
    I am pretty sure that Matton and possibly other key members in the team have a say. I doubt these things are dictatorial decisions by one person. The fact that there is was bad blood between Citroen and Ogier in 2011 and that lots of staff still remain from those times probably play into this. Lefebvre's comments probably reflect the team's view on having Ogier back pretty well.

    I think we can rule Hyundai out, the rest are maybes with M-sport seemingly the most likely right now, provided Wilson can get the structures in place.

    EDIT; This was my 555th post so here's a pic of a Subaru
    Last edited by itix; 5th November 2016 at 13:37.

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  14. #2899
    Senior Member AL14's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by itix View Post

    EDIT; This was my 555th post so here's a pic of a Subaru
    haha this was nice

  15. Likes: Rally Power (5th November 2016)
  16. #2900
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    Quote Originally Posted by itix View Post
    I am pretty sure that Matton and possibly other key members in the team have a say. I doubt these things are dictatorial decisions by one person.
    You're right. Matton and the team will be heard, but the decision will certainly be taken on a higher level. Having Mr. Tavares profile in mind, it looks likely that he’s already involved.
    Rally addict since 1982

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