[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[Fast Eddie WRC]

so, Ogier should be named as a m-sport driver today, im waiting patiently

Wilson said he planned to name his drivers today but the Ogier availability meant he now cant do that.

[Zermatt]

Last Monday was the planned date for the press conference to name the team before the VW Withdrawl. With there being a lot of speculation that this Monday would be when M-Sport would make an announcement . Cant see it happening until after Rally Australia myself.. But could be wrong.

[Rallyper]

Wilson said he planned to name his drivers today but the Ogier availability meant he now cant do that.

It should be wise to wait at least days after Australian WRC event. Maybe no proclamation until Ogier is released from VW contract.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Last Monday was the planned date for the press conference to name the team before the VW Withdrawl. With there being a lot of speculation that this Monday would be when M-Sport would make an announcement . Cant see it happening until after Rally Australia myself.. But could be wrong.

In his interview with L'Equipe Wilson said it was planned for today but the Ogier negotiations have delayed it.

[Zermatt]

right you are - do you have a link to the L'equipe article. I couldn't find it on their site.

[Eric]

Rumor has it that Toyota is very close to signing Latvala after meetings with both him and Mikkelsen. Only details left and they will announce it after rally australia. Wondering what the norwegian will do if this is right.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

right you are - do you have a link to the L'equipe article. I couldn't find it on their site.

I assume its in their premium section. I found the Wilson interview reported on twitter.

[OnlyRally]

http://www.autonewsinfo.com/2016/11/...ia-210930.html

[BigWorm]

http://www.autonewsinfo.com/2016/11/...ia-210930.html

What does it say? Excuse my French

[OnlyRally]

Google translate:

WHAT FUTURE AND WHAT DESTINATION AND SEBASTIAN OGIER JULIEN INGRASSIA?



All rumors lead back to Sébastien Ogier today.

And if Reb Bull was the solution?

The fabric ignites since the official announcement of the withdrawal of Volkswagen Motorsport WRC World Championship. Everyone has his revelation or a rumor again.

Ogier is sticking to a few releases, refusing all interview with the press. While speculation is rife ...

Only Malcolm Wilson does not hide his desire that the quadruple world champion tests his Ford Fiesta RS WRC 2017 before starting discussions further with the French driver.

But it is fair to Malcolm, director of its Independent Business M-Sport which has no manufacturer Ford resource today, if not technical support for approvals.



The other directors stables remain discreet today, but who really know their desires to recruit Ogier - Ingrassia duo a four-time WRC World champion over the last four seasons.

Others ignite a probable approval of Polo R 2017 December 1, with the idea that they are taken over by a private stable. But how can we believe this when Volkswagen has never hired one of his weapons for four years?

From then everyone has his hypothesis. Even Yves Matton director of Citroën Racing remains discreet by saying that it was Ogier to make contact with him and not vice versa. For intentions and claiming that the strategy in 2017 will be based at Citroen on youth.

The only certainty today is that many left tubs available for Teams of builders. While regulation WRC 2017 allows them engaged until ... six WRC on one sleeve. But only three will be registered to score points for the constructor championship. Then in the end, only the two best seats will be selected to be recorded.

But the real problem for the teams factory today is the World Championship WRC resumes in less than two months and unable to build multiple chassis and the stock of parts Rechan

Or, it will leave a crew on the floor or run on an older version or WRC 2 to make room for the French.



Therefore another rumor seems plausible for the arrival of Ogier.

That of the Austrian company Red Bull, with its financial power as a challenge!

It must be said and remembered that Ogier is now the ambassador of Reb Bull. See again Red Bull in red Citroën Racing, it seems unlikely, with Abu Dhabi, the main sponsor acytuel.

Ditto for Toyota Gazoo Racing with Microsoft.

The most serious trail finally seems that Malcolm Wilson, although there is the risk of leaving a crew already planned on the floor early in the season.

Red Bull manager reportedly told late last week that there are discussions between Ogier and Wilson.

Figures have even circulated ... talking about 50 million € with the management of salaries of Ogier and Ingrassia!

The discussions also relate and deal with the arrival of Mikkelsen World Champion at M-Sport, Ogier has never hidden his sympathy for Andreas.

But things do not seem as simple today. As Malcolm said, noting that he still has unfinished business on his side.

Finally, remember all the same that Sebastien Ogier still has a two-year contract, not with Volkswagen, but with the VAG group alongside Mikkelsen elsewhere!

Out according to several sources, it appears that the group would not also let go easily or pay his remaining two years of the contract.

Hence the hypothesis that whosoever Ogier will even put their hands in the pocket to buy out their contracts!

A penny counts now among the German group with the risk of huge fines for them and one euro cent is a penny ...

And here we are talking of over 10 million € over two years excluding bonuses.



Colin Clark, the voice of the WRC, implied this week that the French would sign a season at M- Sport, discussions between Reb and M-Sport portannt two seasons.

This time Wilson should have a significant advantage over other teams.

Since he himself is the sole decision-maker, while others must obtain the approval of their sponsors.

Something not so simple today!

Malcolm must have other ambitions than Ogier in terms of image already, that would be huge with the world champion, but also his views cars everywhere with the famous and prestigious number 1 on the doors.

The probable arrival of other sponsors and the opportunity to see a Ford back with deep pockets, because this summer there was a rumor announcing the return of the American giant in the WRC, not for 2017 but for 2018 ...

We understand better why Malcolm is doing everything possible to seduce Ogier, or has decided to postpone his departure to Australia last round of the Championship WRC.

Besides that Ogier is a locomotive and a fine director developed. Lately Christian Loriaux said if Ogier becomes an M-Sport driver he would be happy to work with him ...

Of course when it comes to contract everything is possible, with a bid last minute switch that does everything.

But Red Bull track seems to have quite a future impact in the choice of the quadruple World Champion WRC. Today at M-Sport, the young Estonian Ott Tanak holds the rope to be part of the British team next season.

He again proved this season he has become more constant but the closest drivers top level.

So a Team M-Sport uniting Ogier, Tanak, Camilli, where Mikkelsen would be enough to scare a second team should come with two cars from M sport. The MACK D team with Elfyn Evans and Mads Otsberg likely unless either Eric Camilli if Ogier and Mikkelsen became official drivers M Sport ...

First with the next WRC 2016 Monte Carlo Rally, and with two new Fiesta RS 2017 from Sweden ..It anyway track that has given us this week Mads Otsberg he would be present at the rally Monte Carlo .. But probably not in the official team ..

Stay tuned !