2018 Teams

**pantealex** · 2nd November 2017, 10:37

Originally Posted by Simmi

I deliberately haven't mentioned Hanninen as he won't be in the sport next year.

Source ?

In Finland there has been NO news about his retirement...

**Mirek** · 2nd November 2017, 10:56

Juho himself said he wouldn't be paying for a drive anywhere (he specifically mentioned M-Sport as the only option for that) and currently it looks like he won't be given a seat in WRC by any manufacturer either. In my understanding Mäkinen offers only a test driver's position.

**AnttiL** · 2nd November 2017, 11:02

Originally Posted by Simmi

So is it now fair to say, the best WRC driver without a win is... Craig Breen.

A guy with 16 factory WRC starts. Nice situation.

https://twitter.com/HartusvuoriWRC/s...04304321142791

Who's gonna be the next maiden winner? Whoever it is, I'm pretty sure it doesn't happen in 2018.

**rallyfiend** · 2nd November 2017, 11:06

Originally Posted by Simmi

Gerard seems like a rally guy through and through though. Doesn't seem like he needs any convincing to go to events and be a part of it.

He was the guy in charge when they left.

He clearly didn't put together a convincing enough business case to keep them in.....

**Simmi** · 2nd November 2017, 11:07

Originally Posted by pantealex

Source ?

In Finland there has been NO news about his retirement...

My wording wasn't brilliant - I meant he won't be in the WRC (top line) next year. As in, he won't be able to win a round of the championship.

**Roy** · 2nd November 2017, 11:29

Originally Posted by Simmi

Gerard seems like a rally guy through and through though. Doesn't seem like he needs any convincing to go to events and be a part of it. It's his bosses that will need their arm twisting. It does seem that Ford of Europe would be the best way forward, as opposed to Ford Performance.

I don't think the Americans care about WRC or marketing the Fiesta one bit.

From financial view: Ford Motor Co did good work in Third Quarter. Only Ford did in Europe in comparison to last year not so good. Given reasons are Brexit, Fiesta launch and commodities/raw material. How much can Ford Europe invest in WRC as they also have a expensive and ambitious GT programme?

**macebig** · 2nd November 2017, 11:46

Let's see. Ford of Europe can't do much other than sponsor M Sport for marketing purposes. Only FoMoCo in Detroit can help in full backing (meaning development +technical +money). If Wilson thinks that covering Ogier's wages is enough, it's OK. If they want something more, things are questionable.

**Rallyper** · 2nd November 2017, 13:22

Originally Posted by mknight

Other than that (and the talk about Ogier) he does seem a bit "blinded by the GB-factor," most notably:

- saying Evans would have won in Wales even on Michelins
.

On Michelins he wouldn´t have won. That´s for sure. Tyres played a big role, so win on Michelin, no. Maybe podium for Evans in that case.

**AndyRAC** · 2nd November 2017, 13:45

Originally Posted by rallyfiend

He was the guy in charge when they left.

He clearly didn't put together a convincing enough business case to keep them in.....

I doubt anybody could have persuaded them to stay. The business case at the time obviously didn't add up.

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 2nd November 2017, 14:12

Originally Posted by Mirek

Juho himself said he wouldn't be paying for a drive anywhere (he specifically mentioned M-Sport as the only option for that) and currently it looks like he won't be given a seat in WRC by any manufacturer either. In my understanding Mäkinen offers only a test driver's position.

Looks like I met him as a WRC driver just in time...

Really nice guy, shame he never got where his early potential was promising.

He crashed out 15 mins later and that's the end of his WRC career.