Autosport Plus
WRC
News

Why Ford must return to the WRC

Fords compete in the World Rally Championship, but Ford itself is shying away. For the good of its reputation, and Sebastien Ogier, it needs to become a proper player again

When a world champion speaks, it's kind of rude not to listen. When a four-time world champion speaks, it's contemptible not to act on what he's saying. So, Ford, time to get yourself back into the World Rally Championship.

Sebastien Ogier says so.

Yes, yes, yes, we've all heard this line trotted out about you remaining part of the team as a technical partner and we see the big blue oval that hangs above the door to the M-Sport World Rally Team. But you're fooling nobody. And, as the world becomes increasingly aware of the position Ford holds in the WRC, the more this once great rallying superpower is increasingly seen as something of a charlatan.

Previous article Hyundai's Paddon writes off remainder of 2017 for '18 WRC title bid
Next article Citroen begins testing all new R5 for WRC2 and ERC 2018

More from David Evans

The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends

The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends

Plus
Plus
Misc Other rally

The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends

Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies

Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies

Plus
Plus
WRC WRC
Rally Monza

Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies

What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic

What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic

Plus
Plus
WRC WRC

What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic

Autosport 70: How Richard Burns scaled the WRC mountain

Autosport 70: How Richard Burns scaled the WRC mountain

WRC WRC

Autosport 70: How Richard Burns scaled the WRC mountain Autosport 70: How Richard Burns scaled the WRC mountain

Colin McRae's 10 greatest rallies ranked

Colin McRae's 10 greatest rallies ranked

Plus
Plus
WRC WRC

Colin McRae's 10 greatest rallies ranked Colin McRae's 10 greatest rallies ranked

Autosport 70: A world rally legend says goodbye?

Autosport 70: A world rally legend says goodbye?

WRC WRC

Autosport 70: A world rally legend says goodbye? Autosport 70: A world rally legend says goodbye?

Watch: The champions of rallying's craziest decade

Watch: The champions of rallying's craziest decade

WRC WRC

Watch: The champions of rallying's craziest decade Watch: The champions of rallying's craziest decade

FIA reveals 'Rally Star' prize scheme to find next WRC champion

FIA reveals 'Rally Star' prize scheme to find next WRC champion

WRC WRC

FIA reveals 'Rally Star' prize scheme to find next WRC champion FIA reveals 'Rally Star' prize scheme to find next WRC champion

Subscribe