M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[Tarmop]

Why, the C3 has proven its pace in capable hands, they have the money and it`s another goal/adventure in his career. Makes perfect sense.

[stefanvv]

I know it may sound a bit childish, but he doesn't like this team, and I doubt Matton's replacement Budar can do miracles to heal the old scars.

[MentalParadox]

Should Ogier succeed in winning even ONE title with Citroën, he will finish his career with 7 titles. That's 2 titles short of Loeb, but contrary to Loeb he did it with THREE different teams. That, to me, means Ogier is one of the greats.

[stefanvv]

Even if he wins 12 titles with 4 manufacturers (well actually M-Sport aren't one), he will never be N1 according to the majority of the people. He was obviously struggling with the Fiesta this year, and after 2 failed attempts with major upgrades he probably decided had enough. For me it's empty effort just to win another title with a different manufacturer. That won't make him more popular even in France where they have already Loeb for eternity.

[Tarmop]

Personal motivation is also pretty important, when you have 6 consecutive titles already...

[stefanvv]

Yes of course. I'm talking just as observer, I'm not in his shoes and he does know what is best for him, at least I hope he does...

[Rally Power]

Ogier is closing his life rally cycle (several mentions about this being the last contract); maybe he felt the cycle would not be fully closed without returning to his home team. Hope Citroen won’t let him down. Fingers crossed!

[T16]

I'm hoping like hell that Rallycross meeting the grim reaper and Citroen only running two cars will mean Loeb ends up at M-sport.

His market value will have dropped, given that there are seemingly no more doors open and Mr Wilson has always been a big fan.

With no Rallycross on the table for 2019, it might just happen.

I'm not in the know regarding finance and funds etc, but surely, he has enough marketable clout to bring a sponsor to M-sport.

Stars are beginning to line up hopefully.

[spiderem]

I'm hoping like hell that Rallycross meeting the grim reaper and Citroen only running two cars will mean Loeb ends up at M-sport.

His market value will have dropped, given that there are seemingly no more doors open and Mr Wilson has always been a big fan.

With no Rallycross on the table for 2019, it might just happen.

I'm not in the know regarding finance and funds etc, but surely, he has enough marketable clout to bring a sponsor to M-sport.

Stars are beginning to line up hopefully.

As much as i'd love to see loeb at M-Sport too, i really don't see what is there for him to do so... When he retired from Citroen, it was clear that he didn't want to travel for long period anymore, rallies requiring to be away for 1 week / 10 days at least. With rally cross he could still do a world champioship with shorter travel period. I don't see that has changed.

So unless someone comes with a lot of cash to convince the maestro to drive and pays that car, i think he has enough to do to keep himself busy doing racing in europe with his own team...

I don't know how much resources has Bardall, but it sounds like someone had a dream and wanted his logo on a car (dakar) driven by Loeb. So maybe they have further resouces to have that logo for a WRC season on a car...

[Tarmop]

It doesn`t have to be a full season...it wasn`t supposed to be and Wilson said, it doesn`t have to be (old news again, they`ve made their offer).