Martin to Peugeot, Ford to withdraw from WRC.

[RallyRaider]

Title says it all. Current rumours are that Markko Martin has signed with Peugeot for 2005 and beyond. A good move for Markko and Peugeot. However the reasons that brought it to be are anything but. Ford, Markko's former employer has decided to “concentrate on F1”. Ford had already released Francois Duval to negotiate with other teams, so even if they do have a last minute change of heart and enter next year's championship, they will have no current drivers.

Nothing is confirmed just yet but it seems merely a formality.

[freakray]

They had a reasonably successful WRC outfit, why abondon them for a nowhere near successful F1 team.
I am sure they would sell more Focii through their WRC program than they will anything through the F1 team.

Bad ploy on their part in my opinion.

[RallyRaider]

Latest news has Malcom Wilson trying to talk Ford into not entering the championship next year in order to develop a new Focus for 2006. Another long, drawn out death like Mitsubishi?

[ales]

Why? Last year Ford had probably the fastest car (not the most reliable one, though) in the championship, they shouldn't need a year off to develop something else. This wholse situation lacks logic.

[RallyRaider]

I think the reasoning is that Ford want to cut the budget completely. Martin is trying to find ways to talk the Dearborn brass around, convincing them to do the WRC on the cheap, so he and all at M-Sport can keep their jobs.

[neongtr]

hopefully with the introduction of the new regulations in 2006. more teams can entry the champsion. I like to see more teams to rally rather than just couple of factory teams.

[RallyBasher]

It was said during the coverage of the Rally Italia Sardinia that Markko is expected to make an announcement later this week on where he will go next year. As Ford have yet to decide on their WRC future, a move to Peugeot is the most likely of options.