M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[Fast Eddie WRC]

[Backa]

Just look at the crowds at the ceremonial start in Monte Carlo, the "jewel in the crown", right now.....there aren't any.

To be fair, ceremonial starts are waste of time, especially when stages later that day are relatively far from it.

[PLuto]

To be fair, ceremonial starts are waste of time, especially when stages later that day are relatively far from it.

On the other hand it is an opportunity to bring the rally to the center of the cities, to show it "normal" people. It can be good promotion for the sport and also for the hosting city (and you need government to support the rally). And it is also good for competitors as they can have picture from unique place.

[macebig]

Munster doing so well is an encouraging sign for what Sesks can do in the season. And it's proof that the Puma is certainly on par with the other R1s.

[Backa]

On the other hand it is an opportunity to bring the rally to the center of the cities, to show it "normal" people. It can be good promotion for the sport and also for the hosting city (and you need government to support the rally). And it is also good for competitors as they can have picture from unique place.

Yeah, I meant waste of time from perspective of fans that travelled to Rally Monte Carlo. There is decent amount of people at actual Rally Monte Carlo so using ceremonial start crowd is strange argument.

Although I agree with core point, if anything, I hope more drivers like McErlean and Munster get funding from their local sponsors. It's not F1 with "fixed" 20 seats, M-Sport risked having 1 full time driver if not McErlean and his sponsors.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ford are entering WEC and Le Mans in 2027. A bit worrying as Ford isn't flush with cash and WRC support may have to go...

[deephouse]

Ford are entering WEC and Le Mans in 2027. A bit worrying as Ford isn't flush with cash and WRC support may have to go...

Really? I thought they are aiming at rallying (WRC and W2RC/Dakar). Well, they don't care for some time now. I guess Malcolm could reach out to MG and aim there.

[macebig]

They won't cut the WRC program if the 2027 rules make sense. Rushbrook has said so.If WRC decides to kill itself, it's neither Ford's nor M-Sport's problem. And Malcolm won't drop Ford anyways. He is the only guy that can service/manufacture parts for all their rally cars from the last 30 years. Prodrive went back to supporting the Subarus they made. Historic rallying is a big business now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The other issue could be the Mk2 Puma road car due in 2027 will be electric only. Will M-Sport run an EV Rally1 car under the '27 Regs ?

[deephouse]

They won't cut the WRC program if the 2027 rules make sense. Rushbrook has said so.If WRC decides to kill itself, it's neither Ford's nor M-Sport's problem. And Malcolm won't drop Ford anyways. He is the only guy that can service/manufacture parts for all their rally cars from the last 30 years. Prodrive went back to supporting the Subarus they made. Historic rallying is a big business now.

Having only the badge on the car and putting literally no money into it, I would not call "their" wrc programme. They are just probably donate cars and give them some technical support, but money wise they don't want to hear anything. They are just enjoying how M-Sporters are faithful to the brand. It's just like Paddon is to Hyundai brand. They like to brag when success come. Remember that WEC is way more expensive to build the car, run season and probably way more expensive in develop. Ford situation isn't very good at the moment and probably they will not run many world class programmes simultaneously. F1, now WEC, Dakar... Probably for WRC they will not have "budget" even if that will be cut to half, there will still be excuses. I bet that now they will say that they want "green" energy and WRC isn't there. That's why I have an opinion that M-Sport should reach to different brand. Why would they stick to the brand, who really don't want to support them properly, and most importantly don't produce cars which are the best for that sport. Even if they still have great selling numbers in lower categories and run JWRC, those Fiestas will eventualy be too old, will not be upgraded anymore and what car will replace them?

The situation in WRC had gone from uncertain to really bad. I'm really shocked and having fingers crossed that some new names would come and now hearing this gives me absolute no hope at all. So I will try to enjoy it while it last.