[WRC] News & Rumours (part V) 2017

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I disagree, surely Malcolm knows Ogier only went to M-Sport as it was a short notice decision and he didn't have a realistic alternative option where he would be guaranteed number 1 status. So I would assume Malcolm knows he may well only have Ogier for one year.

So if anything he will use that year to gain as much from Ogier as he can, including improving the car and the team with his work ethic, knowledge and abilities behind the wheel.

But further to that, if Ogier can bring them the manufacturers championship, that is Malcoms ticket to getting Ford back into the WRC properly. After all, when was the last time a non-manufacturer won the manufacturers title, it's been a while and that's much better PR for Malcom than Ogier winning WDC yet again...

To me, that has to be far more important, especially knowing he will probably lose Ogier at the end of the year to whichever team wants him the most/can offer the best package of role/car/money....

I see Ogier winning the WDC as the biggest publicity boost M-Sport can possibly get... (plus if they do that the Manufacturer's title might come also).

But if M-Sport only win the Manufacturer's title and say, Neuville, won the WDC, who would be hearing about M-Sport ? It will all be about the new Driver's Champion and his team.

And given the strength of the factory-teams, no-one will think any less of private M-Sport if the dont win the Manufacturer's...

Malcolm Wilson:
"I’ve made no secret of how much we wanted to work with Sebastien and Julien, and it is fantastic to welcome them to the team. We have worked extremely hard to secure them, and they believe that the Ford Fiesta WRC is the car with which they can best defend their championship."