M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[tr4m]

After this interview, fairly certain he'll stay, but Ogier is most likely to leave. To me it sounds like M-Sport is unable to get the financial backing that Ogier is looking for, but they are however able to get enough that would keep Tänak happy. As he said himself, the car is developed around him and if he was no.1 in M-Sport, surely most of their manpower and WRC development budget would go to helping him. No need to waste time on getting to know the new car but build upon what has proven to work. This is the safest and smartest choice, should he be interested in challenging for the champs title next year, which he obviously is.

Alternative is that he is going to Toyota and what he answered to the interviewer was just the second part of the question:

Q: "So you`d be more than happy to stay where you are and fight for the world championship next year and hopefully be the world champion then?"
A:"That`s the plan you know, i`ve always been the kind of guy who wants to fight [...]"

[Simmi]

Man we need some rallying to start up again in the WRC. Talk about over-analysing!

Welcome to the forum btw tr4m!

[AnttiL]

Could it be that Ford is sponsoring Ogier as a driver, his car will have a Ford livery and he will be featured on marketing material, but M-Sport will continue otherwise as usual? Just an idea I got to my head...

[seb_sh]

Speculating is getting bit out of hand, no rallies and no announcements and we get a bit carried a way with the analysis, it's fun but can't really base much on it. For example Ott's answer can mean anything, also with non-native english speakers it's hard to look for hidden meanings because sometimes they don't use the correct tense or make some small error but they don't mean anything by it.

The results of Malcom meeting with Ford should clear things up. Basically at this point if they don't get proper backing Ogier will just go to Citroen because he doesn't want to wait as last year. Ott can probably wait a bit more, it must be hard for him to choose, on one hand it could be worth doing another year in a familiar car, potentially as lead driver, on the other hand the Toyota offer must be tempting.

[EstWRC]

Ott’s decision has been made weeks ago already.

[Andre Oliveira]

Yes, Ott didn’t wait for final meeting.

[dimviii]

don't know if this has any meaning .Ogier was at a kart circuit with Ogier club fans at weekend

Sébastien Ogier‏
Great day with the Fan-Club Saturday! Very nice back behind the wheel of a kart and see you so many! 👍🏻 #actuakart




,while Msport tweeted this

M-Sport‏
A special message to our UK supporters from @SebOgier. He couldn't be with us @RallydayUK but looks forward to seeing you all @WalesRallyGB!

https://twitter.com/MSportLtd/status/912262455220428800

[EstWRC]

Ogier to go karting next season?

[Simmi]

Ott can probably wait a bit more, it must be hard for him to choose, on one hand it could be worth doing another year in a familiar car, potentially as lead driver, on the other hand the Toyota offer must be tempting.

I don't think Ott can afford to wait more than Ogier. One guy is already a millionaire rally driver, the other isn't. Ott's stock is at an all-time high so it's time to cash in one way or another. Hopefully he already has - as much as I do support M-Sport.

[seb_sh]

I don't think Ott can afford to wait more than Ogier. One guy is already a millionaire rally driver, the other isn't. Ott's stock is at an all-time high so it's time to cash in one way or another. Hopefully he already has - as much as I do support M-Sport.

I mean wait for the decision to remain or go to Toyota, different to Ogier who said he wants to know as soon as possible. Tanak is not fighting for the same seat as Ogier and there is no one else "in front of him" free of contract so he can wait till the final round if he wants. But others are saying he decided already so dunno.