M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[deephouse]

Ford pulled out from WRC after the 2012 season. Having only the badge and some ''support'' isn't proper support. They will of course do evertyhing to keep Ford cars, but if the things will not sort, they would need to pull out or start talking to potential new partners.

Also I don't get it why they didn't do new Rally2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 car and keep their business high and rather put every single resource in Puma and hoping Ford would come back, because it didn't and will not. Now it's kinda too late and I think that even upgrading their old Fiesta will not making them miracles. So it's part their fault also to drain their resources.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Also I don't get it why they didn't do new Rally2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 car and keep their business high and rather put every single resource in Puma and hoping Ford would come back, because it didn't and will not. Now it's kinda too late and I think that even upgrading their old Fiesta will not making them miracles. So it's part their fault also to drain their resources.

There wasn't / isn't a suitable (Ford) road car after the Fiesta. They already said the Puma is too tall for rallying as a Rally2/3/4/5.

The Puma Rally1 on a spaceframe was scaled to work and a WRC27 Puma would work too. I think this will happen in due course.

[Tom206wrc]

The next generation Fiesta for Europe will be full electric

[doubled1978]

The next generation Fiesta for Europe will be full electric

I wonder with the recent changes to the EU transition to EV’s, which will likely get kicked into the long grass again and again, if they will come up with an ICE version as well.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The next generation Fiesta for Europe will be full electric

Yes and basically with a Renault EV platform, so wont ever be an ICE version.

But the Puma is still available with a (hybrid) ICE & with the EU cancelling the 2035 ban it could be around for years yet.

[deephouse]

Having no support for more than 10 years and no proper car in brands portfolio is a only logical to be open minded for other opportunities and not still hoping that someday they'll be back somehow.

Don't get me wrong, if M-Sport wouldn't be in that sport and if they wouldn't continue with their dedication, I believe WRC would probably already die long ago. They were always there, when all others left. But as I said already before, how long will they making Ford free promotion, before they will said, enough is enough. That's why I want them to succeed, no matter which car or brand they will represent, as long as they will have proper support and not just the badge and few "donated cars", oh right and access to some simulations.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gerard Quinn, the former Ford Senior Manager and of Ford Racing Europe, always says Ford's support for the Rally1 programme is considerable.

It seems that M-Sport (& sponsors) mostly pays out to run the cars and any driver salaries.

[WRCStan]

how long will they making Ford free promotion, before they will said, enough is enough.

1 more year, and then it's up to Ford to back the Rally2 entry if there's already Toyota, Prospeed and Lancia; plus others.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ford should certainly be able to afford part of the cost of developing a WRC27-spec car with M-Sport.

The new Cars are considerably cheaper than the Rally1 and sales should be good to privateers. It would be a win-win keeping both at the top level of WRC.