Ford WRT

[Gordini]

New thread needed for new team. Good news.
How much money Ford bring?
Will M-sport take Stobart place as privat team?

[Brother John]

New thread needed for new team. Good news.
How much money Ford bring?
Will M-sport take Stobart place as privat team?

Rally fans have nothing to do with the money. :(

[wildboar]

Nice video to announce their 2012 season:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsSPJjLUKlA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsSPJjLUKlA

[Viking]

Monte testing


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=odFyAwzPAcY

[Allyc85]

Bloody happy to see them confirmed, I really thought this was going to be the year they pulled out!

[RS]

Nice that they talk of team orders already: Q & A with Ford WRC team principal Malcolm Wilson on his new deal - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96764)

[N.O.T]

merge this with the other one....

[Rallyper]

Don´t forget that in 2013 we´ll have four factoryteams in WRC. Things are really turning better and better!

[RS]

Don´t forget that in 2013 we´ll have four factoryteams in WRC. Things are really turning better and better!

Absolutely. Actually next year will be really interesting, even if Loeb is still clear title favourite.

How will Mikko get on as Seb's teammate? Will Petter be able to do better with a full works car? How will Mini develop? How will Ogier do with the Fabia?......

[YankWRC]

Nice that they talk of team orders already: Q & A with Ford WRC team principal Malcolm Wilson on his new deal - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96764)

The last couple of seasons Ford has been very upfront with their team orders. There were no team orders at Citroen and that turned out kinda bad. Very McLaren 07 ish...

I think that if Petter shows his true pace that he still has, things may change during the season. For M-Sport, their number one mission has got to be the manufacturers title I'm sure. Ford is probably really pushing Wilson Sr. 2012 will probably be Ford's best shot at it in a while to be honest. I really am looking forward to what M-Sport does as far as a junior squad. Would love to see Ott and Henning on the junior squad. Henning would be a great mentor for sure.

[bassist]

I cant wait for the season to begin. Common sense prevailed, and Petter is part of the package.Bring it on!

[Bobcat]

I really am looking forward to what M-Sport does as far as a junior squad. Would love to see Ott and Henning on the junior squad. Henning would be a great mentor for sure. I think that Tanak and Ostberg.

[Plan9]

Congratulations Petter! Thank god he is finally back where he belongs; personally I have been waiting for this to happen since 2009.

I am concerned they will not be able to pick up another sponsor as generous as Abu Dhabi was. The Visit Qatar deal sounds like it will give Citroen an extra large cash injection for 2012. I hope Malcolm can come near to matching it.

[J.Lindstroem]

The last couple of seasons Ford has been very upfront with their team orders. There were no team orders at Citroen and that turned out kinda bad. Very McLaren 07 ish...

I think that if Petter shows his true pace that he still has, things may change during the season. For M-Sport, their number one mission has got to be the manufacturers title I'm sure. Ford is probably really pushing Wilson Sr. 2012 will probably be Ford's best shot at it in a while to be honest. I really am looking forward to what M-Sport does as far as a junior squad. Would love to see Ott and Henning on the junior squad. Henning would be a great mentor for sure.

henning solberg in a junior team is perfect. sounds like a investment for the future... :)

[MartijnS]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOJgHus626Q

[M5]

Henning should drive a RRC or S2000 Fiesta.In wrc he will not win, in the other classes he can.

[YankWRC]

I was just thinking that perhaps Henning could mentor and offer guidance to someone like Ott. Obviously he is a superb talent and would work well with the younger folks. He is not going to win, but it would offer him an actual job at Ford as opposed to just sitting there. JML and Ott are the future of Ford no doubt. You don't need two young guns on the team at the moment.

[Kaiser]

The last couple of seasons Ford has been very upfront with their team orders. There were no team orders at Citroen and that turned out kinda bad. Very McLaren 07 ish...

I think you may be mistaken on the "no team orders" at Citroen. It is one of the reasons Ogier left.

[Nornbugger]

I think you may be mistaken on the "no team orders" at Citroen. It is one of the reasons Ogier left.


if you followed this past season you could see clearly that there were no team orders for most of the season, they were only brought in when it became clear that 2 Sebs fighting was opening a door for Mikko. Citroens decision to back the multiple champion Seb rather than the pup Seb was shown to be correct over the last rounds.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great news that Ford continues in the WRC - the sport would be virtually dead without them.

A strange one to take Petter into the team... why didnt he just go to Citroen (which he has been driving) and let Mikko stay were he was ??

Anyway, should be interesting to see what he can do in the Fiesta ...

[Andre Oliveira]

IMO Petter is better than Mikko. Nothing strange. Ogier in VW, second best free driver is Mr. Hollywood! And Petter also is the most charismatic rally driver in these days.

[Andre Oliveira]

Curiosity: Last Petter's win - Great Britain 2005

If wins Monte Carlo: Gap between wins: 87 stars or 6 six years and ~200 days

Juwra.com (http://www.juwra.com/stats_longest_gap_between_wins.html):

Shektar Mehta - 5 years and 359 days (1973 Safari - 1979 Safari)

Juha Kankkunen - 44 stars (1994 Portugal - 1999 Argentina)

Petter will break these records for sure :)

[vkangas]

A strange one to take Petter into the team... why didnt he just go to Citroen (which he has been driving) and let Mikko stay were he was ??

Mikko did not want to take a risk ending without a drive next year as Ford was not 100% certain. So they made a decision to go to Citroen quite early. --> No space for Petter.

[N.O.T]

Great news that Ford continues in the WRC - the sport would be virtually dead without them.

A strange one to take Petter into the team... why didnt he just go to Citroen (which he has been driving) and let Mikko stay were he was ??

Anyway, should be interesting to see what he can do in the Fiesta ...

maybe because usually teams pick drivers for their official teams not the other way around.....

[driveace]

I think Petter is greedier for results than Mikko is,or was,let Mikko go and be a lap dog for Seb,and now with the chains off maybe Jari will show his true grit,I have already told Jari,on FB that if he needs any tuition to call me !

[N.O.T]

I think Petter is greedier for results than Mikko is,or was,let Mikko go and be a lap dog for Seb,and now with the chains off maybe Jari will show his true grit,I have already told Jari,on FB that if he needs any tuition to call me !

LOL

[danon]

Peter's style is too aggressive.
He squeezes the car as a lemon.
Throw it like a sack of potatoes.
That's not a winning strategy.
Miko on the other hand is a delicate and smooth,
and can be the one to surprise us all.
You never know!

[Bobcat]

henning solberg in a junior team is perfect. sounds like a investment for the future... :)
Tanak and Ostberg... Rally Mania: Tanak e Ostberg confirmados na M-Sport (http://rally-mania.blogspot.com/2011/12/tanak-e-ostberg-confirmados-na-m-sport.html)

[koko0703]

It's great to see Ford has committed for two more years in WRC, and I'm happy to see Petter in a works car again. I still think Loeb is still favorite to win the driver's title but if both JML and Petter can stay on the road, the manufacturer's title should be very close.

[manta400]

So will Petter be paid to drive?

[driveace]

Will Petter be bothered? A works team all expended paid,no worries of running your own team,god that must have been really hard work running your OWN team ,all the worries,not having a car that you know is equal to the teams no 1 driver,cos he don't want any competition,just hope he gets an equal car to Jari,and it could work out fine!

[olschl]

Pardon my ignorance but is this new 2 year deal Ford has made with M-Sport different than the previous arrangement? Is Ford injecting more corporate money/engineering/development than previously?

[AndyRAC]

Pardon my ignorance but is this new 2 year deal Ford has made with M-Sport different than the previous arrangement? Is Ford injecting more corporate money/engineering/development than previously?

Good question. Who knows...I find it hard to believe they are putting more in. So why should anything change?

[noel157]

It would be interesting to know why the deal was off and then on again. What exactly did Papa Wilson ask or give Ford to get another 2 years?

[Bobcat]

So there's many question marks around it. I think it's more than just a coincidence that M-Sport is currently looking for design engineers to work on the development of the Fiesta RS WRC. http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/128975-news-rumours-part-ii-391.html#post992964

[N.O.T]

So there's many question marks around it. I think it's more than just a coincidence that M-Sport is currently looking for design engineers to work on the development of the Fiesta RS WRC. http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/128975-news-rumours-part-ii-391.html#post992964


another question is if they need those designers for the car or the motorhomes ??

[sollitt]

M-Sport have been advertising for engineers all year so this is nothing to get excited about.

[Bobcat]

M-Sport have been advertising for engineers all year so this is nothing to get excited about.
But not for the development of the Fiesta RS WRC.

[Bobcat]

another question is if they need those designers for the car or the motorhomes ??
Job Description
We are looking to recruit highly motivated Design Engineers to strengthen our Design Team.

Your job will be to focus on the design and development of the Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

The ideal candidate should:
- Have an Engineering degree
- Have at least 2 years experience as a design engineer in automotive, motorsport or aerospace environment
- Have a good knowledge of 3D CAD, preferably on I-DEAS
- A good knowledge of the latest manufacturing techniques and materials would be an advantage

The role requires a consistently high level of performance and quality in a highly pressurised and time sensitive environment. The role would suit a self-motivated team player with an enthusiastic and positive attitude.
Deadline 31st December 2011Careers (http://www.m-sport.co.uk/index.php/careers?task=view&id=38)

[noel157]

Ostberg's position, Petter supposedly bringing budget:

http://www.therallysite.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10133&Itemid=1

[Andre Oliveira]

From Planetemarcus.com (http://planetemarcus.free.fr/newsrallyes2012.htm):

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/493266729.jpg?Expires=1326223590&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=Yh7BgILc9dc4JqiOz%7EGUNhrRIsWaFKJE-G50zkZH0gygP6jYM8CmuHSMb%7EYzXUic4ZpMJ5L1OdJWhoTHs YbxhiAIBWTFOY-R-XYCnGdxhYt1Qnta7HRL0x5TdSfkR%7EDc0ov4wfbEoZZfPk9Of MNedd9J1jw0BDuzLXohrkpkT%7Ew_http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/full/493273503.jpg?Expires=1326223684&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=yt-e78b3PFr9kIpeE9MVvce4p67KrALP%7Eyubq%7EVsMXUFQpLC-eUsonD1Vtx01q1dfLmP8i9GDnLubIm%7EzY6CNMWsyKhbDVXpO k9VDCLetWV%7EHjnk7npCldzTUQankLvK6KrTohMUiRT7s7kBz s2PFLVqlbUmEdsHQChVgFJ1Mzc_

[Andre Oliveira]

Ford Fiesta RS WRC - Delecour (http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/493858941.jpg?Expires=1326306669&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=r2nhKhnjfJzwrB1XRDu6U4foNmN3atb4vNRlPJVT jZOOyyU-Rv6XnFHtDmIvu1ta5lPlxVsNPxho%7ExzmWqxfhQ0nzzw3ISoE YoyngPzgecYGts-noJ20DGn1NZJZuEPYcnsFEyrJh2pz4GetO6s5mvspcDu0qYHTF 9ELc-4od7s_) - Planetemarcus.com
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/493858941.jpg?Expires=1326306669&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=r2nhKhnjfJzwrB1XRDu6U4foNmN3atb4vNRlPJVT jZOOyyU-Rv6XnFHtDmIvu1ta5lPlxVsNPxho%7ExzmWqxfhQ0nzzw3ISoE YoyngPzgecYGts-noJ20DGn1NZJZuEPYcnsFEyrJh2pz4GetO6s5mvspcDu0qYHTF 9ELc-4od7s_

[Andre Oliveira]

From Planetemarcus.com (http://planetemarcus.free.fr/newsrallyes2012.htm):

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/493266729.jpg?Expires=1326223590&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=Yh7BgILc9dc4JqiOz%7EGUNhrRIsWaFKJE-G50zkZH0gygP6jYM8CmuHSMb%7EYzXUic4ZpMJ5L1OdJWhoTHs YbxhiAIBWTFOY-R-XYCnGdxhYt1Qnta7HRL0x5TdSfkR%7EDc0ov4wfbEoZZfPk9Of MNedd9J1jw0BDuzLXohrkpkT%7Ew_http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/full/493273503.jpg?Expires=1326223684&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=yt-e78b3PFr9kIpeE9MVvce4p67KrALP%7Eyubq%7EVsMXUFQpLC-eUsonD1Vtx01q1dfLmP8i9GDnLubIm%7EzY6CNMWsyKhbDVXpO k9VDCLetWV%7EHjnk7npCldzTUQankLvK6KrTohMUiRT7s7kBz s2PFLVqlbUmEdsHQChVgFJ1Mzc_

Ford Fiesta RS WRC Livery (http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/493266729.jpg?Expires=1326306820&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=Z%7EElj7W%7EVN9cnc4sK5Az240A%7EQscrfxvig gIKoyioAe0uq5Mc6qzwr8pf2GyQ2Cobg4Y1fLs-UOR88e-F4rDVabh4didc970g7QjbMIuEEgsSjfdG7MQtuIcScfY297vBj 3LRzahglrpuEoN00TwK3N8-m5n6tVyR6b76vi80Vc_)

[N.O.T]

both links....access denied.

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.rallye-sport.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Fiesta-Delecour.jpghttp://www.rallye-sport.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Ford-750x562.jpg

[Sulland]

Will Petter test more before the season opener, or anyone else from the Ford armada test anything before MC/Sweden or will shakedown be their test ?

[rp]

During this week Jari-Matti is in the car on wednesday and thursday, with Petter taking over on Friday...

[carmichael]

reports from Estonia say that, tanak will test on Friday. Then with Petter?

OT: Don't get confused with USA flag in my avatar, but i'm estonian, living in USA.

[Viking]

Ford expects Jari-Matti Latvala to challenge Loeb in the WRC in 2012 - AUTOSPORT Show news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96973)

This was a tad strange

"The first two rallies we've told Petter that we want him to run basically the same spec of car as Jari-Matti will. We want to really focus all his attention on driving and not worry so much about the set-up. Get those two events under his belt and then we will really sit down and we can try and really improve the car going forward."

[dimviii]

Ford expects Jari-Matti Latvala to challenge Loeb in the WRC in 2012 - AUTOSPORT Show news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96973)



This was a tad strange

"The first two rallies we've told Petter that we want him to run basically the same spec of car as Jari-Matti will. We want to really focus all his attention on driving and not worry so much about the set-up. Get those two events under his belt and then we will really sit down and we can try and really improve the car going forward."

lol

[Karukera]

Ford expects Jari-Matti Latvala to challenge Loeb in the WRC in 2012 - AUTOSPORT Show news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96973)

This was a tad strange : "The first two rallies we've told Petter that we want him to run basically the same spec of car as Jari-Matti will. We want to really focus all his attention on driving and not worry so much about the set-up. Get those two events under his belt and then we will really sit down and we can try and really improve the car going forward."

They are simply treating an experienced driver like a child.

Or maybe Papa wilson thinks he's talking to Matt.

[Barreis]

I hope Latvala won't be a champ.

[N.O.T]

Ford expects Jari-Matti Latvala to challenge Loeb in the WRC in 2012 - AUTOSPORT Show news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96973)

This was a tad strange

"The first two rallies we've told Petter that we want him to run basically the same spec of car as Jari-Matti will. We want to really focus all his attention on driving and not worry so much about the set-up. Get those two events under his belt and then we will really sit down and we can try and really improve the car going forward."

it is obvious that M-sports main concern is just to make money in order Wilson JR to be ridiculed across the world one more year...

Very unprofessional attitude...

One more year of tears and pain for the Ford fans.

its a pity...

[Juha_Koo]

What a load of bs once again guys... The line means that Petter is not immediately given the role of "lead tester" but he is given time to adapt into the car. "Basically the same spec" doesn't mean "the same spec".

[N.O.T]

read again it referes to the first 2 rallies of the season....not testing.

A professional team would give Peter time to adapt through testing and have him ready to do his best at the start of the season with his own set up...

Seems they are not interested about the manufacturer title at all... now that Ford signed for 3 years and Wilson Jr will have money to waste off the car development i guess M-sport is happy

[martins]

What a load of bs once again guys... The line means that Petter is not immediately given the role of "lead tester" but he is given time to adapt into the car. "Basically the same spec" doesn't mean "the same spec".

I agree with you Juha. Petter is known for his knowlegde for setup and technic but I think that before you start to play to much with new setup its good to really know the car. And that he's not yet doing. After a couple of rallies he will have much better idea and knowledge of the car. And then I think its time for petter and fwr to start developing the car more. Anyway its good to get a good start of the season. And to get that its best to just concentrate on the driving.

[dimviii]

read again it referes to the first 2 rallies of the season....not testing.

A professional team would give Peter time to adapt through testing and have him ready to do his best at the start of the season with his own set up...

Seems they are not interested about the manufacturer title at all... now that Ford signed for 3 years and Wilson Jr will have money to waste off the car development i guess M-sport is happy

if this is true,is strange.They signed before some days with Ford,its before the start of the 3 year contract,everything is going to travel for Jari at test point,car,trucks,mechanics,engineers but they can t afford one more day??? The point that Petter has to drive with Jaris setup is joke for kindergarden,not for championship contenters.Hope is just a wrong info.

[Rallyper]

I agree with you Juha. Petter is known for his knowlegde for setup and technic but I think that before you start to play to much with new setup its good to really know the car. And that he's not yet doing. After a couple of rallies he will have much better idea and knowledge of the car. And then I think its time for petter and fwr to start developing the car more. Anyway its good to get a good start of the season. And to get that its best to just concentrate on the driving.

Besides Petter has had some dificulties in making his own setuptop good. Remember his problems with the S12. Maybe this helps him on the way back to good settings?

[dimviii]

Petter is known for his knowlegde for setup and technic but I think that before you start to play to much with new setup its good to really know the car..
how you will ''know'' the car with NOT right setup?

And to get that its best to just concentrate on the driving.
Driving with not optimum setup=fail.Plenty of examples at rallying last 20 years.


ps welcome at motorsportforums

[Mirek]

The point that Petter has to drive with Jaris setup is joke for kindergarden,not for championship contenters.

Happened many times before though...

[macksrallye]

I think everyone is taking this too literally. Although M-Sport has said two events that isn't necessarily so.

Petter may stick with Jari's setup to start with (lets face it, he's had a lot of seat time in the car so it's a good starting point) & make only minimal changes. This should allow him time to settle into the car under the heat of competition & learn to push it to it's max. Only once Petter has pushed the car to it's max will he learn the downfalls of the car & then he will be allowed to start suggesting & making radical changes. If however Petter is able to find the limit of the car during the first or second event I am sure the engineers will listen & allow changes.

[dimviii]

Happened many times before though...
i didn t say that it didn t happened before,but if it is right.Citroen has wining setups from 8 time champions but Mikko was there testing for Monte.

But maybe for Ford is a waste of time/money testing before each rally.Last year i can t remember plenty of rallies with right setup at first leg...

[dimviii]

If however Petter is able to find the limit of the car during the first or second event I am sure the engineers will listen & allow changes.

trying to find limits with not right setup drives 100% out of road.Then engineers need a new car,and not to setup a totaled car.

[Fide]

Too much emphasis from papa Wilson o remark JML will be 1st driver bla bla..... lets see what Petter can do in a factory car and if he can challenge or not JML. The truth of the story will start to be written on next week and couple of weeks after in sweden. BTW I don't think JML has the consistency to beat Loeb. Aside of that, I think who made the worst deal is Hirvonen, accepting to be like Sordo in Citroen.... He will never win anything.....

[Rallyper]

Too much emphasis from papa Wilson o remark JML will be 1st driver bla bla..... lets see what Petter can do in a factory car and if he can challenge or not JML. The truth of the story will start to be written on next week and couple of weeks after in sweden. BTW I don't think JML has the consistency to beat Loeb. Aside of that, I think who made the worst deal is Hirvonen, accepting to be like Sordo in Citroen.... He will never win anything.....

Of course Hirvonen can win. When Loeb has a bad day and looses 3 minutes MH can beat Petter and JML.

[Fide]

Of course Hirvonen can win. When Loeb has a bad day and looses 3 minutes MH can beat Petter and JML.

Hirvonen was discarded by Subaru and at that time he never beated Petter cause Petter was better than him AND still is.......... Lets see...

[Mirek]

How old was Hirvonen back in those days? ;)

[Barreis]

Hope that this is Hirvonen's last contract.

[Rallyper]

Hirvonen was discarded by Subaru and at that time he never beated Petter cause Petter was better than him AND still is.......... Lets see...

of course both Petter and JML are very fast among top fastest. But- I´ve seen Hirvonen on last day in sweden 2010 when he took the shirt of Loeb on Värmullåsen. His attck in those bends was among the worst I´ve ever seen. Two bends about 50-60 meters away from each other was taken in one slide and it was narrow I´ll say!! And it was downhill!!

After that I know for sure what Hirvonen can do!!!!

[macksrallye]

trying to find limits with not right setup drives 100% out of road.Then engineers need a new car,and not to setup a totaled car.

Any good driver finds the limit of the car underneath them whatever the setup, not the limit of themselves regardless of what the car is capable of.

[dimviii]

Any good driver finds the limit of the car underneath them whatever the setup, not the limit of themselves regardless of what the car is capable of.

same kind of thinking has M-sport.Guess the results from last 20 years.

[macksrallye]

same kind of thinking has M-sport.Guess the results from last 20 years.
Also the same kind of thinking that got Skoda & any other team with a testing programe to where they are over the years. Testing is all about finding the limits of what you've got & the decided where the changes need to be made to make the car better. You can't just change everything without knowing what the car is capable of & clearly Petter is not going to get enough seat time before Monte so why not go with good (if not ideal) setup to make the best of a bad situation.

Citroen are going to beat them at Monte, no doubt, but this is not the reason, they would have beaten Ford if they had be testing for 2 months solid, Sweden however could be different.

[N.O.T]

Also the same kind of thinking that got Skoda & any other team with a testing programe to where they are over the years. Testing is all about finding the limits of what you've got & the decided where the changes need to be made to make the car better. You can't just change everything without knowing what the car is capable of & clearly Petter is not going to get enough seat time before Monte so why not go with good (if not ideal) setup to make the best of a bad situation.

Citroen are going to beat them at Monte, no doubt, but this is not the reason, they would have beaten Ford if they had be testing for 2 months solid, Sweden however could be different.

and what skoda actually achieved so far ?? Winning a ladycup series of b-c class drivers being the only manufacturer in it ??

[dimviii]

Also the same kind of thinking that got Skoda & any other team with a testing programe to where they are over the years..
Skoda doesnt challenge Citroen.Ford does.


Testing is all about finding the limits of what you've got & the decided where the changes need to be made to make the car better...
Pre rallies tests are not for finding the limits what you ve got,are for testing the right setup at the terren you are going to compete in few days.Test from last years,different tyres,different drivers,different circumstances,and one year back fiesta(much slower) are useless.


You can't just change everything without knowing what the car is capable of & clearly Petter is not going to get enough seat time before Monte so why not go with good (if not ideal) setup to make the best of a bad situation....
Petter is not a 21 year at his first wrc drive.As he would drive for some km,he will see what changes have to do to adapt his likes the car.You can t see how capable is a car when you can t push result from not ideal setup.Remember we are talking about world championship contenters,not a privateer with limited budget.
Also don t forget Sordo that he can still points from Ford factory points.So Petters fiesta must be setuped properly if they dont want to be ridiculed at Monte,from a true limited budget new car.


Citroen are going to beat them at Monte, no doubt, but this is not the reason, they would have beaten Ford if they had be testing for 2 months solid, Sweden however could be different.

Sweden different? With Mikko at Citroen and Petter with no test?Doubt..

[bretddog]

Hope that this is Hirvonen's last contract.


Hope or believe..? I think he will surprise many (here on the forum) with his speed this season, and be quite competitive with Loeb and Latvala. Also on tarmac I believe he will improve noticeably. Sure he'll be a dog at Citroen, but that doesn't matter for his value if he can prove to go fast.

Certainly he got issues with lack of motivation/fighting spirit which reflects poorly. But I think his speed is discredited too much on behalf of that, his sorry tarmac performance and technical issues.

In any case I find it very interesting to see what he will make of it now with the best car of the field. I think he'll be a strong runner-up.

[Sulland]

What tactics should Ford adopt for Portugal?

Full speed from ss1 to get a early lead, or to shadow Citroen ?

[Hartusvuori]

How old was Hirvonen back in those days? ;)

Hirvonen was born in 1980.

[JAM]

What tactics should Ford adopt for Portugal?

Full speed from ss1 to get a early lead, or to shadow Citroen ?

Full speed from SS1. They have nothing to lose.

[Barreis]

Ford defends decision to keep pushing on longest stage of Rally Mexico - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98018)

[dimviii]

Ford defends decision to keep pushing on longest stage of Rally Mexico - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98018)

Thats why i said yesterday that is Malcolms fault too.They risked everything betting that Mikko will have a flat tyre.All these with a driver that had exit from Monte without reason,and one of the high score crasher of all times.After all that Loeb is patronised by fia,citroen had a better car,bla-bla-bla....

''Asked if he had considered slowing Latvala down earlier in the stage, Wilson said: 'No. We'd agreed what we were going to do and we'd sent him Mikko's [last split] time in the stage.''

"We gave him Mikko's 25km split time just to keep him [Hirvonen] on his toes. We had also given him the exact distance to Novikov's car. This was a mistake."

[A FONDO]

Dont worry about Wilson. He is happy because he proved to his customers and Ford that he built a car not slower than the factory DS3. And he is completely sure he cant win manu' or drivers title even if Latvala didnt crash.

[Karukera]

We had also given him the exact distance to Novikov's car. This was a mistake."[/B]

I'm wondering what was a mistake : giving Latvala the exact distance to Novikov's car or that the "exact" distance was wrong ?
Looks pretty 'amateur'.
That MSport entity is too blurry to win anything.

[Hartusvuori]

In the onboard I don't hear Anttila calling anything like "this is the place, take care". If they knew the exact place, that should be the maneuover. Well, no matter what we know more about it won't undo what happened.

Latvala will win in Portugal though. Then Argentina.. And win in Greece. But NZ... A win in Finland makes up for most, but then in Germany... Wales, he knows how to win that one, but Alsace... Sardegna is another familiar victory, but Catalunya... ;-)

[Barreis]

They both have connection with team while driving.

[Rallyper]

They both have connection with team while driving.

According to JML he din´t know Novikov was crashed in front of him.

[noel157]

I'm wondering what was a mistake : giving Latvala the exact distance to Novikov's car or that the "exact" distance was wrong ?
Looks pretty 'amateur'.
That MSport entity is too blurry to win anything.

I presume Papa Wilson was referring to Latvala's accident being a mistake.

[N.O.T]

I wonder why no privateers crashed at the place...maybe they got information from their teams about the crash...

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOL...

[dimviii]

According to JML he din´t know Novikov was crashed in front of him.

We gave him Mikko's 25km split time just to keep him [Hirvonen] on his toes. We had also given him the exact distance to Novikov's car. This was a mistake."

Ford defends decision to keep pushing on longest stage of Rally Mexico - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98018)

[Rallyper]

We gave him Mikko's 25km split time just to keep him [Hirvonen] on his toes. We had also given him the exact distance to Novikov's car. This was a mistake."

Ford defends decision to keep pushing on longest stage of Rally Mexico - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98018)

Yeah, I read that too, but listened to JML´s own words on tele so that couldn´t be missunderstood. More likely can journalists wrench words.

[dimviii]

Yeah, I read that too, but listened to JML´s own words on tele so that couldn´t be missunderstood. More likely can journalists wrench words.

so you think that Ford didnt mention Jari about Novikovs roll when they had about 23minutes gap?

[Rallyper]

so you think that Ford didnt mention Jari about Novikovs roll when they had about 23minutes gap?

I don´t think anything but just heard what JML said at the end of stage, in the microphone, to the reporter. Anything else is speculations by journalists.

[dimviii]

I don´t think anything but just heard what JML said at the end of stage, in the microphone, to the reporter. Anything else is speculations by journalists.

so team didnt communicate with crew while the pass at stage between these cars were 23 minutes...

Who is the liar?Jari or Malcolm?

[DonJippo]

so team didnt communicate with crew while the pass at stage between these cars were 23 minutes...

Who is the liar?Jari or Malcolm?

Neither one, Jari-Matti didn't have the info that was send to car.

[N.O.T]

the co-driver then....

LOL...

[Rallyper]

the co-driver then....

LOL...

Well, a humble and serious person like N.O.T. shouldn´t laugh about that, I think.

[tfp]

so team didnt communicate with crew while the pass at stage between these cars were 23 minutes...

Who is the liar?Jari or Malcolm?

Journalists.

[dimviii]

Neither one, Jari-Matti didn't have the info that was send to car.

so we havent got a liar,but a thief.Who stole the message?

[dimviii]

Journalists.

Journalists stole the message?
i am confused.Help me.

[A FONDO]

:D