M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[AnttiL]

maybe some finnish guys here can shed some light why Suninen isnt doing a full season? Is it because of the budget or inexperience?

I think it is right to put him to an R5 for Monte but from Sweden onwards he should participate on every round with a WRC machine.

There isn't really any other guys doing a privately funded whole season. Not even Mads Østberg. The current WRC cars are more expensive than ever and getting sponsors is more difficult than in the previous decades.

It's another question why Malcolm does not want to invest in him? Maybe all his investment money is put into Ogier's salary?

[er88]

Why doesn't Mads just pay Msport to run him as the 3rd car on most of the events?

Yes it wouldn't be an exciting choice, as you know what you're getting with Mads. He doesn't have the potential that Suninen/ Tidemand etc have, but he's usually pretty reliable and brings money. He'd maybe collect useful points for the manufacturers championship on most gravel events, but just struggled this year as he couldnt get the best out of the car by running it privately.

Or he could pay PH Sport, but he probably doesn't want to go anywhere near that C3 .

I'd much rather see a younger driver instead, but I'm surprised if Malcolm isn't trying to sort something out with Mads who comes with a lot of backing.

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[Watson]

@er88 maybe Mads will get the third car in certain events. I think it will take as long as this before every rally before we know who gets the third car.

[AnttiL]

@er88 maybe Mads will get the third car in certain events. I think it will take as long as this before every rally before we know who gets the third car.

Last year Suninen announced his program for the whole year before the season started. Maybe DMack quitting their support of a full WRC seat took the team and some drivers by surprise?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Who confirmed Boufffier ? Have see several rumour tweets but nothing that could be viewed as officially confirmed

Several websites (mostly Italian) and one or two other sources saying the rumour is confirmed.

[ESTR]

Or he could pay PH Sport, but he probably doesn't want to go anywhere near that C3 .

Interesting that a while ago he said that DS3 wasn't drive so well at least for him.. But he finished 4th on drivers championship. Next he was in Fiesta and he showed nothing...

[Watson]

That was mainly because he didn't get info on how to set it up. You'll find the sweetspot of the new generation cars mainly in the central differential. M-Sport had three drivers constantly testing the car and gathering experience during the events. Also his private team paid for all the broken parts so he had to be careful. Judging him on his results compared to the 'works' Fiesta drivers is not fair.

[Simmi]

That was mainly because he didn't get info on how to set it up. You'll find the sweetspot of the new generation cars mainly in the central differential. M-Sport had three drivers constantly testing the car and gathering experience during the events. Also his private team paid for all the broken parts so he had to be careful. Judging him on his results compared to the 'works' Fiesta drivers is not fair.

I think ESTR is referring to the 2016 season Mads spent in the 'works' M-Sport car.

[Rally Power]

Last year Suninen announced his program for the whole year before the season started. Maybe DMack quitting their support of a full WRC seat took the team and some drivers by surprise?

Maybe, still all previous rumours only mentioned 6 events on a WRC car for Suninen during 2018; if those were right, entering WRC2 alongside can be seen as a positive thing.

[pantealex]

It will be more than 6 rallies with WRC18 for Suninen, trust me