M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[Andre Oliveira]

Ford Performance and Ken Block no more together. How will affect the WRC program?

[Tarmop]

Why should it at all. KB hasn`t used many M-Sport cars lately, after the WRX Project (if we even count it) a few outings.

[mknight]

It's actually not a bad question at all, depending on why the relationship ended.

The basic option range:

1. He got dropped so they save money and use it for 2022 WRC support of MSport or even entering with own bran again - very good for WRC (and likely unrealistic)

2. He got dropped cause they got angry about his latest "Pastrana vids" with Subaru or something like that - somewhat neutral, but might be positive it if helps with WRC funding (most likely option)

3. They dropped it cause they want to reduce motorsport support - very bad for WRC (second least more likely than 1. but less than 2.)

[macebig]

Block probably wants to do Extreme E or Dakar and then call it a day, as he is now well into his 50s.

[wyler]

is going back to his first love (or already gone): Subaru. Hope this is a good news from that side...

[the sniper]

Just been thinking this weekend, Castrol/BP mustn't be an insignificant sponsor/financial contributor to the team, as Gus' dad's (presumably) millions weren't enough to displace Castrol stickers with Crown Oil ones. Though of course, it could just be a long term deal that had to be honoured or it's part of the deal with Ford's contribution.

[mknight]

The first thing that came to my mind after Suninen crash and Millener interview was that they might have a real motivation problem and maybe a sponsor problem on the way.

Previously it might have been "fun" to work for the team and travel to rallies. Nowadays the mechanics and technicians sit in service park, can't talk to anyone can't go anywhere then straight to hotel where they are again isolated and eat alone. (ref. what Sordo says). In between they have quarantine when they come home... and they do all the work to see no pace and/or crash in first stage.

Similarly the few remaining sponsors pay money to see their fastest car getting beaten by Rally2s...

[Got Mail]

Just been thinking this weekend, Castrol/BP mustn't be an insignificant sponsor/financial contributor to the team, as Gus' dad's (presumably) millions weren't enough to displace Castrol stickers with Crown Oil ones. Though of course, it could just be a long term deal that had to be honoured or it's part of the deal with Ford's contribution.

Crown Oil are suppliers of domestic and industrial Heating Oil.

There is no conflict with Castrol Lubricants.

[the sniper]

Crown Oil are suppliers of domestic and industrial Heating Oil.

There is no conflict with Castrol Lubricants.

I'm aware that in practice there isn't. Yet Crown Oil always previously appeared in place of Castrol on Greensmith's car and no longer seems to appear at all...

So are you suggesting the family no longer want the brand to be associated with the WRC or is it a voluntary sacrifice to make it less obvious that the Greensmith family paid for the drive?

[RS]

Just been thinking this weekend, Castrol/BP mustn't be an insignificant sponsor/financial contributor to the team, as Gus' dad's (presumably) millions weren't enough to displace Castrol stickers with Crown Oil ones. Though of course, it could just be a long term deal that had to be honoured or it's part of the deal with Ford's contribution.

I wondered that too but I guess you’re right about it being a long term deal with Castrol and/or tied in with some Ford partnership. That deal could be for the main two M-Sport cars and of course Gus is one of those now rather than the third driver.

Someone reported that Malcolm wants a lot of money for those seats, so somewhat surprising the Greensmith family wouldn’t want something in return for their cash.