Interesting interview with Prokop for sport.cz
https://www.sport.cz/moto/rallye/cla...or.html#hp-sez

He claims that his team almost secured VW cars for 2017 season.

Full quote:
Everything was agreed. Red Bull would be involved, as Ogier's partner. Three cars would be run by our team in Jihlava. VW board knew that the budget would correspond to czech circumstances. Ogier even agreed to skip Monte Carlo noting that he would 14 have more days with his family. But in the last minute before signing the deal one regular WRC competitor got interested. He promised Qatar money to Volkswagen. Everything got stucked. Ogier shown his tolerance and postponed his signing twice. When he finally had no other option, he signed for Ford. And actually, I did too.