[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[CWJ]

I do not think anyone is going to test anything without a contract.

Lets wait and see if SebO is to catch that easy.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Reported L'Equipe brief interview with Malcolm Wilson (translation):

Q: Malcolm, tell us about the negotiations with Sébastien Ogier.

Malcolm Wilson: He has yet to settle some business, but last week we dealt with it on a daily basis. Most of my time I spend in the search for a solution that would allow me to next year seat Sebastien behind the wheel of one of our cars.

I've been dreaming about the opportunity to work with him, especially since the end of 2011, we were very close to signing a contract ( Ogier refused the offer of M-Sport, and a year ago, stayed in a Citroën guarantees equal status with Sébastien Loeb, what are the conditions met by the manufacturer was not). For this, I even miss Rally Australia, because I really want to do everything possible to get it.

Q: What are you currently working on specifically? Looking for sponsors who can pay for the appearance of Seb in the team?

Malcolm Wilson: Above all at once. M-Sport - the company - so that we can organize our work as we want. We can cut back on some investment, stop any activity or try to increase the amount of funding on the part of our partners.

Of course, we can not guarantee success - but I am convinced that we have a great car, and we all know, this is a capable driver. All we need now - a good budget.

Question: What are your arguments in your favour? The more you try to convince him to join it to your team?

Malcolm Wilson: The fact that M-Sport is still involved in the WRC ! We have already seen what can happen to any manufacturer, no matter how strong and assured it was.

In addition, we are confident in the potential of our new car. I would really like Seb to try it before we make some arrangement. If he gets out behind the wheel of our car, and says that it is not for him, I'll take it. But I really want him to test the car as soon as we can do it.

It is clear that we can not offer him all that he had in Volkswagen. However, he told me that a priority for him is the fact that car team that will allow him to win - and I am very glad to hear it.

[dimviii]

Teemu / Rallirinki ‏@HartusvuoriWRC

Tommi Mäkinen comfirms crashing into a tree on Tuesday at #YarisWRC test. He hurt his ribs. http://urheiluuutiset.com/tommi-maki...a-ensimmainen/ …

[Essaj]

Hopefully Tommi finally realized that there is actual drivers available to do all the testing.

[seb_sh]

It is clear that we can not offer him all that he had in Volkswagen. However, he told me that a priority for him is the fact that car team that will allow him to win - and I am very glad to hear it.

This is something I've felt about Ogier for a long time and I keep saying it. Most of all he wants to win. It's possible he will accept a salary compromise or a team-mate compromise (he is sure he can beat any current driver anyway) as long as he can have the best car and the best chance of winning.

[Simmi]

Pirelli will not homologate a WRC tyre for the new 2017 regulations - http://www.autosport.com/news/report...medium=twitter

[stefanvv]

Pirelli will not homologate a WRC tyre for the new 2017 regulations - http://www.autosport.com/news/report...medium=twitter

With no interest from the factory teams they finally gave up.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This is something I've felt about Ogier for a long time and I keep saying it. Most of all he wants to win. It's possible he will accept a salary compromise or a team-mate compromise (he is sure he can beat any current driver anyway) as long as he can have the best car and the best chance of winning.

Correct. That's what it's all about for Ogier - winning rallies.

He knows he can win the Championship overall, but he wants to do so by winning rallies. That's also what his complaints about the running order were all about.

[stefanvv]

So.... Wilson seems confident Fiesta can win rallies.... in proper hands (and feet).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So.... Wilson seems confident Fiesta can win rallies.... in proper hands (and feet).

Even the old (very old) Fiesta was still capable, as shown by Tanak this year...