Silly Season 2022

[WRCStan]

so people need to stop the sympathy for M-Sport.....it's how they run their business.

What do you mean by this?

[TypeR]

What do you mean by this?

They are btthurt that mr Mikkelsen, who spent the season driving with R5 everywhere, didn't get the seat and huge salary from Malcolm and Ford

Can there be something that teams don't like about him/his team..?
Otherwise I don't see why isn't signed..
Maybe should have shown speed in a WRC car this season..

[Franky]

It's not about Mikkelsen. M-Sport usually gets the underdog treatment and the love with it. If M-Sport doesn't perform, it's because of their own choices. Money first, success somewhere further down the list.

[skarderud]

On a other hand, it is not good for a world championship if the runner up champion cannot get a seat in the topclass for free, whatever his name and size of wallet is.
Here FIA has not done theire job to attract more interest.

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[AndyRAC]

M-Sport is private team, not a full Ford factory-backed team, so they need to run with financial stability in mind.

They have also suffered in the pandemic with lower car sales, parts sales and servicing earnings.

They have signed the best available driver, Breen, who has impressed in WRC this year, and who they are able to afford.

The 2022 Puma isnt going to be cheap to make and buy and even more to run than the WRC cars. Someone has to pay if its not Ford and that's the driver and their family or sponsors.

Eddie, yes we know all this. It's their choice how they operate, that is their business model. They've proven they can run successful circuit racing cars/teams - why not go down that avenue with a manufacturer? They want to stay in rallying, even without full factory backing........
They do a great job, but I just find the 'plucky underdog' a bit tiresome.

[WRCStan]

On a other hand, it is not good for a world championship if the runner up champion cannot get a seat in the topclass for free, whatever his name and size of wallet is.

If it was free we'd all be doing it.

Here FIA has not done theire job to attract more interest.

Much better conversation to have than having a pop at those who invest into the sport. But there's not much to say that hasn't been said. Manufacturers and sponsors just don't want to play.

[WRCStan]

They are btthurt that mr Mikkelsen, who spent the season driving with R5 everywhere, didn't get the seat and huge salary from Malcolm and Ford

Can there be something that teams don't like about him/his team..?
Otherwise I don't see why isn't signed..
Maybe should have shown speed in a WRC car this season..

So in your opinion if Mikkelsen had paid for a World car and all being well he may have been able to prove to M-Sport that he was worth what he was paying for? I suppose then people could attack him for using 'daddy's money' and 'taking up a seat'.

You don't have to wave a flag for anybody but it's absurd and unjust to attack people who make things happen. This sport isn't profitable, there's no financial reward. Anybody who continues to attack the teams and drivers who choose to do this sport for either not taking on debt or spending more wealth to go maximum attack and win rallies or championships must be out there having a go themselves.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eddie, yes we know all this. It's their choice how they operate, that is their business model. They've proven they can run successful circuit racing cars/teams - why not go down that avenue with a manufacturer? They want to stay in rallying, even without full factory backing........
They do a great job, but I just find the 'plucky underdog' a bit tiresome.

M-Sport splashed their own cash on paying Ogier when he became available, so they dont always stick with that 'business model'.

Since then the pandemic hit them, Ford hasnt returned and the other top drivers have contracts with the manu teams of Hyundai & Toyota. Breen is the best available and they have paid out to get him.

If you can do better then start a team.

[seb_sh]

Again this discussion about MSport's money. Would you rather they go bankrupt? It's the FIA/organizer/promoter who are to blame for that lack of teams.

[AnttiL]

It's the FIA/organizer/promoter who are to blame for that lack of teams.

Or maybe the car manufacturers because they decide not invest in this kind of marketing? Or maybe we can blame the world that has changed from the 80's when rallying was still cool?