2013 World Rally Championship

[JorritVD]

Rallye-Magazine
Sordo to Citroen for 8 rounds

Autosport-Magazine
Neuville will do 9 round with Citroen Junior.

Rumour
- Latvala to VW, because of reliable long-term condition.
- Ostberg in negotiation with Prodrive MINI.
- Ostberg could also drive a works-Ford.
- Solberg will probably have to leave Ford. Might be the new driver for Hyundai.
- Also Ostberg is rumoured as a possible Hyundai-driver.
- Other drivers that are rumoured for works-Ford seat: Meeke, Novikov and Tanak.

Citroen WRT:
- Loeb/Sordo
- Hirvonen
- Al Qassimi

Citroen Junior WRT:
- Neuville

Volkswagen Motorsport:
- Ogier
- Latvala
- Mikkelsen (S2000)
- Abbring (S2000)

Prodrive MINI:
- Ostberg

Ford:
- Latvala / Ostberg / Solberg
- Meeke / Tanak / Novikov

Hyundai:
- Solberg
- Ostberg

[kober]

Are Prodrive going to register a manufacturer entry next year, meaning that they will run the 13-round season with two cars?

[cg7aa]

Prodrive Mini? I thought Prodrive's role had been reduced to building and supporting the cars only with the running on rallies being done by the Portuguese team? I'm confused.

Anyway, Sordo's comments last weekend were telling, he seemed to be very frustrated about the amount of problems they are having with the car, perhaps I'm reading too much into his words but when he was describing the handbrake problem which was locking the front wheels, he seemed bewildered as to how that could even be possible! As if he felt the team were lacking something when it comes to preparation. I doubt you would get that sort of thing with Prodrive.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by cg7aa

Prodrive Mini? I thought Prodrive's role had been reduced to building and supporting the cars only with the running on rallies being done by the Portuguese team? I'm confused.

Prodrive had the "works" team status taken from them last year but, as you say, they are still building and supporting the car. I've read on a couple of sites that are planning to enter a two car team for a full season in 2013: and they want Sordo as one of their two drivers.

Hopefully the rumours are true!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by cg7aa

Anyway, Sordo's comments last weekend were telling, he seemed to be very frustrated about the amount of problems they are having with the car, perhaps I'm reading too much into his words but when he was describing the handbrake problem which was locking the front wheels, he seemed bewildered as to how that could even be possible! As if he felt the team were lacking something when it comes to preparation. I doubt you would get that sort of thing with Prodrive.

I haven't seen Sordo's comments but going on what you've said here I'd agree with him - the handbrake should not be capable of locking the front wheel. It should be on a completly separate hydraulic circuit - front and rear brakes have their own fluid reservoirs and are independent of each other (so if you rip off a brake line you'll only lose either your front or rear brakes - not everything). Very odd. Only thing I can think of is a brake bias problem? But even with that wound all the way forwards the handbrake shouldn't be capable of locking the fronts.

[cg7aa]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I haven't seen Sordo's comments but going on what you've said here I'd agree with him - the handbrake should not be capable of locking the front wheel. It should be on a completly separate hydraulic circuit - front and rear brakes have their own fluid reservoirs and are independent of each other (so if you rip off a brake line you'll only lose either your front or rear brakes - not everything). Very odd. Only thing I can think of is a brake bias problem? But even with that wound all the way forwards the handbrake shouldn't be capable of locking the fronts.

Thanks for the tech explanation BertMk2, as I said, the look on his face was one of someone unable to comprehend how that can even happen, to me he looked like he was trying to hint that the team's capabilities isn't what it should be or is at least isn't on a level he is used to. He used the phrase 'a lot of problems with this car' several times like they are regressing.

[FIRE]

Ford leaves WRC:

Originally Posted by Ford WRC

‎Ford of Europe has today announced that it will withdraw from the FIA World Rally Championship as a title sponsor after the 2012 season.
"Ford has a long and proud history in the WRC and this was not an easy decision," said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. "We have great respect for M-Sport and Malcolm Wilson, who have run the Ford WRC team since 1997, and there is no organisation with more expertise and commitment to winning. Working together, we have reached a point where the Ford Fiesta has become the car of choice in rallying, and we want to see this continue in the future."
Ford WRC wishes to thank its fans, drivers, the FIA and its many WRC partners, including team main sponsors BP and Castrol, for their support and commitment.

http://www.facebook.com/FordWRC/posts/531915496821975


Autosport.com:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103466

[FIRE]

Press release from M-Sport:
http://www.m-sport.co.uk/index.php/n...-press-release

[rustyfan]

I'm surprised they've stuck with it this long, actually. Not only have Citroén been kicking their butts for years, but the WRC itself is a shadow of its former self.

[tbtstt]

Such a shame to see them calling it a day, especially as the WRC seems to be on the verge of turning itself around.

I hope M-Sport can find a backer (or two) and continue running the Fords as I don't think it'll be the WRC without the presence of Ford. Or perhaps the rumours of M-Sport switching to Hyundai are about to come to fruition...

[kober]

That makes Hirvonen and Citroen the 2013 World Rally Champions.

Also, I'm expecting Citroen to pull out after 2013, which makes Ogier and Volkswagen the 2014 World Rally Champions

[AndyS]

Shame, but not a surprise really. There's been rumblings for a while now and they've never quite got on a par with Citroen, although that may be more down to budgets than anything else. Add in the promoter situation this year and one too many crashes you can understand it. I agree it won't quite be the same without them, but they've left before and returned.

[ArnageWRC]

To be honest, they put very little budget towards M-Sport in recent seasons, a half hearted effort. All a far cry from signing McRae, Sainz for mega bucks....and getting Martini as title sponsor.
They've been expected to pull out since 2004, when Martin & Duval left, and signed Gardemeister and Kresta as factory drivers for 2005.

[JorritVD]

Shame that Ford stops. I thought they still had a contract for next year. Now I got a bad feeling that we can expect a Ford announcement that they gonna support Team Aon more in WTCC.

But M-Sport didn't had large budgets at all. I guess Ford only payed for Latvala, and Ford Norway dealers did for Petter Solberg.

Still, I think we can expect a decent WRC field in 2013. M-Sport will be sort of a semi-factory outfit, as Prodrive will do.

Citroen
- Hirvonen
- Sordo/Loeb
- Al Qassimi

Volkswagen
- Ogier
- Latvala
- Mikkelsen

MINI-Prodrive
- Ostberg?
- Hanninen?

Ford M-Sport
- Solberg?
- Meeke?
- Novikov?
- Tanak?

Hyundai
- Solberg?
- Ostberg?
- Meeke?

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by JorritVD

Shame that Ford stops. I thought they still had a contract for next year. Now I got a bad feeling that we can expect a Ford announcement that they gonna support Team Aon more in WTCC.

But M-Sport didn't had large budgets at all. I guess Ford only payed for Latvala, and Ford Norway dealers did for Petter Solberg.

Still, I think we can expect a decent WRC field in 2013. M-Sport will be sort of a semi-factory outfit, as Prodrive will do.

Citroen
- Hirvonen
- Sordo/Loeb
- Al Qassimi

Volkswagen
- Ogier
- Latvala
- Mikkelsen

MINI-Prodrive
- Ostberg?
- Hanninen?

Ford M-Sport
- Solberg?
- Meeke?
- Novikov?
- Tanak?

Hyundai
- Solberg?
- Ostberg?
- Meeke?

As mentioned in the WTCC thread, I doubt we will see Team Aon getting works backing. If it's about money reasons why they are pulling out, then I doubt we will see a rebound to the WTCC, unless the money is coming from another part of Ford.

Although, I'd love to see Ford in both the WRC and the WTCC with a modern day version of the Escort and Sierra Cosworths respectively.

[chunder]

Seems odd relaly to sit there and take beating after beating, year after year and then pull out when the bloke that has single handedly caused people to lose interest leaves!

Why doesnt he do the decent thing, sign for Ford and prove he is a step above every past world champion?

Or is he simply so cosy and pretty much runs the team!!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by chunder

Seems odd relaly to sit there and take beating after beating, year after year and then pull out when the bloke that has single handedly caused people to lose interest leaves!

Agreed. As you say they have held out through the period of Loeb dominance. Now he is going they have the best chance they have for years to take a title again, but they are throwing the towel in!

[NaBUru38]

Ouch. That hurt. After so many years in rallying, they are dropping it. I don't know what will Ford of Europe do to promote themselves.

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Ouch. That hurt. After so many years in rallying, they are dropping it. I don't know what will Ford of Europe do to promote themselves.

I'm sure I saw somewhere they were going to run in the European Rally Championship or was it just M Sport. Failing that like many manufacturers they may just drop motorsport for the time being.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I'm sure I saw somewhere they were going to run in the European Rally Championship or was it just M Sport.

The article in Autosport said that M-Sport had committed to the European Rally Championship but didn't mention it as a Ford effort. From reading the various releases and the M-Sport website it looks like M-Sport will continue in the WRC and continue to develop the Fiesta for various levels of rallying. Not sure where the budget is coming from for all this?

[JorritVD]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

From reading the various releases and the M-Sport website it looks like M-Sport will continue in the WRC and continue to develop the Fiesta for various levels of rallying. Not sure where the budget is coming from for all this?

"Ford of Europe has announced today that it will withdraw from the FIA World Rally Championship as a title sponsor after the 2012 season."

1. Title-Sponsor means that they call the team this year 'Ford' World Rally Team instead of 'M-Sport' World Rally Team.

2. So no more sponsorship-money from Ford for running a team or hire pro-drivers (Latvala) in the WRC. But probably like BMW still going to invest some money in developing the car and engine, so Privateers can still enter a competative car that will get updates in the future. Also it will be easier to make a comeback in a few years when the car is still competative.

3. They need a new title-sponsor to get a sort of the same amount of budget be on the same level of next year to continue the factory team.

4. Probably BP and Castrol will still sponsor M-Sport.

5. M-Sport will continue to sell different types of Rallycars, from WRC to R2, etc. This also give M-Sport budget. For example, this season they could enter Tanak with that money.

Hope this makes some things clear

[JorritVD]

Volkswagen signs Latvala
http://www.wrc.com/news/volkswagen-s...ala/?fid=17675

Jari-Matti Latvala's "experience, aggression and exceptional speed" convinced Volkswagen Motorsport that the Finn was the ideal candidate to partner Sebastien Ogier in its factory line-up from the start of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship.

Following his five-year stint as a works Ford driver, Latvala will switch to Volkswagen to pilot one of its all-new Polo R WRCs from January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo onwards.

The news, confirmed as Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila complete their preparations for this week’s Rally Italia Sardegna with Ford, will create one of the strongest driver line-ups in next season’s world championship.

“We’re proud and highly pleased to have gained Jari-Matti Latvala for our World Rally Championship project,” said Volkswagen Motorsport director Jost Capito. “He’s one of the most distinguished WRC drivers in the field and has experience, aggressiveness and exceptional speed. I’ve known Jari-Matti since his early days in rallying and have been watching his development very closely. He’s a true reinforcement for our team.”

Capito said the capture of Latvala’s signature was another boost to Volkswagen’s bid for WRC glory from 2013: “The fact that another top-flight driver believes in our success and is switching to our team gives each member of our team an additional motivation boost. In Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala we’ve got an excellent driver line-up for the debut of the Polo R WRC in the 2013 World Rally Championship.”

Latvala, who became the youngest winner of a world championship qualifier when he triumphed on Rally Sweden in 2008, has seven WRC victories to his name and is currently third in the drivers’ standings with two rounds of this season remaining.

“I’m very happy to be driving the Polo R WRC in the World Rally Championship in future,” said the 27-eyar-old Finn. “The determined approach of the Volkswagen team convinced me to accept this challenge. The time at Ford was very valuable for me and I would like to thank everyone who supported me there in the past years - it wasn’t easy for me to say goodbye. At the same time, I see the change as a personal new beginning. I’ve taken this decision in order to make another step towards reaching my big aim: the world champion’s title with Volkswagen.”

[ArnageWRC]

Wow, never saw that one coming.....
Won’t be easy for JML - Ogier is already No1 - he’s been there for almost a year, and will have had everything done ‘his way’. JML will be going into Ogier’s team.
So 2 Factory teams and a Finn in each one – Joukhi strikes again....

[ArnageWRC]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104088

[tbtstt]

Bit more driver transfer news...

http://www.citroen-wrc.com/en/2012/n...itroen-racing/

...Sordo goes back to Citroen. I wonder who Prodrive will have as the number 1 driver for the team now?