M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[wyler]

Really?! Last time I checked there are several sponsors on the other teams's cars.

Just to name a few: Microsoft, DMG Mori, Panasonic, Hanon, Shell.

and that's exactly the point. sponsor want huge name next to it, (and some possibilities to win also can help).
it's way different to say "I've a partnership with toyota/hiunday" than "I've a partnership with m-sport". first case u can use it with non-rally fans, they'll get it's important anyway.
the second case will mean nothing for most of the people.

[the sniper]

One thing that cause me some surprise is the inability to get a big sponsor to the car.

This is the one thing that I'd love to know. To what extent M-Sport have tried to attract major sponsors themselves rather than relying on drivers to do it for them. As said before, there would seem like natural candidates. Someone like Monster Energy or Lukoil. Once Citroen pulled out, where did the Red Bull money go? It hasn't discernibly gone into the WRC itself... I seem to remember though that it might have been said that Malcolm has set a high price for title sponsorship of the team which can't/hasn't been met. Maybe if he doesn't think that number can be reached it isn't worth putting much effort into trying to get it?

It shouldn't be a surprise though........The sport isn't visible enough for sponsors. Far easier to sponsor a football team/ tournament....

Yet the WTCC and its teams, which I can not accept has a greater following than the WRC, has all sorts of sponsors. What may be different is that many of those sponsors seem to also have an arrangement with the promoter/Eurosport. Whereas WRC Administrator doesn't seem to share its spoils.

Really?! Last time I checked there are several sponsors on the other teams's cars.

Just to name a few: Microsoft, DMG Mori, Panasonic, Hanon, Shell.

To be fair to Malcolm though, the Toyota deals are probably relatively small fry business to business deals arranged/encourage by Mr Toyoda. If Toyota Corp are doing a $100m+ deal with the likes of Microsoft, DMG Mori or Panasonic, with Mr Toyoda's personal interest in the Motorsport programs, it won't be hard to get a bit of change diverted towards the WRC program.

That's not to say Ford couldn't do the same, but maybe that's why Castrol are still on the car...?

[Andre Oliveira]

In the European Rally Championship, the ERC Junior class will be reserved for drivers entered with Rally3 cars, with the objective to reduce season costs and create a more accessible pathway for young drivers coming from two-wheel drive categories. In order to ease this pathway, the FIA ERC promoter will offer attractive prizes for both the ERC3 and ERC Junior Champions.



I hope that bring M-Sport a big amount of money.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

TBH I cant remember the M-Sport run cars having a big main company sponsor on the side of the car since Castrol in about 2007. They are still there now but much smaller.

Abu Dhabi were around for a year or two but pulled out.

Red Bull (with Ogier) was the only other one in recent times.

I suppose no-one will put in big money unless they think the team/driver has a good chance of fighting for wins. And thats super-tough vs the might of Toyota & Hyundai.

Monster Energy would be ideal and without Red Bull being around WRC anymore to take the glory...

[mknight]

Redbull is a personal sponsors of multiple drivers.

[Andre Oliveira]

[the sniper]

I know this sounds a bit crazy, but would JML do services for MSport if he got all for free, but no salary?

I think we can probably cross JML off the list of potential candidates for an M-Sport drive now...

Though stranger things have happened, like JML becoming Toyota team principle in the first place!

[dimviii]

The two-way problem M‑Sport faced in 2020

Underperforming drivers unhappy with car. Drivers not getting results to showcase car. M-Sport faced a vicious cycle in 2020.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-t...faced-in-2020/

[Andre Oliveira]

Mikkelsen?

Suninen
Greensmith
(Formaux/Mikkelsen) shared?

Very unlikely no?

[Sulland]

They can not come with Suninen and Greensmith as top dogs. Will be a lot of DNFs.
They need someone to bring the car to points.