I know, it's very confusing. I don't understand WHY they would do it but it looks like MINI switched the official manufacturer status and backing to the MINI Portugal Team. Prodrive is still listed but as a works-supported private team and yet is still charged with development of the car. Very confusing.
BMW-MINI probably all along just wanted to have a strong finish at Monte Carlo for heritage reasons. With that in the bag.... Pffffffffff Prodrive, they don't need you anymore.....
I think MINI are happy with the work Prodrive did on car development and this is why they are continuing to pay them to do more of it but they also feel Prodrive is too expensive as a race team. Prodrive is now a works-sponsored team rather than a fully funded manufacturer team, which I'm guessing is more in line with the funding level MINI expected to pay them this year anyway since Prodrive fully planned, and was expected, to find the majority of their racing budget elsewhere.
Remember, Prodrive is in this to make money, not to spend their own money to have fun racing. The company is after profits, as much as they can make, and the employees all draw big salaries. I'm sure the team entered from Portugal is cheaper.
At least Sordo still has a ride that will hopefully carry through at least this season. Plus it's with Prodrive which means he may continue to do well...and probably beat the works team at every rally.
....but how long will Prodrive have the funds and desire to compete at this level? Will the amount they can ask for from sponsors and drivers decrease as well with them not being a factory team? Cost a lot and they will not be getting the big checks from MINI as they have been....:donut1:
Consider that the new factory team's stock has probably increased since yesterday..:wink:
I'm guessing Prodrive have the sort of funds they had before this change, maybe a little more. On the other hand, the funding they had was only going to take them to 7 (or 8?) rallies this year...with a pay driver in the second car.....
So, MINI (factory team) is still in the WRC, but with a group that will, most likely be, an also ran. If I get this right, I will me cheering for a MINI (Prodrive), to kick a MINI's (Factory Team) ass. Very confusing, to say the least.
The only confusing part to me is that building, prep and even development of the cars is in the hands of a "works supported customer team" (that would be Prodrive). The rest makes perfect sense to me, though I would have never predicted who MINI chose to take on as the factory team.
Well Steve, Podrive was not stupid and patented some of the stuff they developed. Now, even BMW has to buy it or lose it, even tough they may have paid for it. Very smart move, but backing a team that is nowhere is not smart. They should have found the money and stuck with a winner. BMW is not all that bright. I hope DTM works for them.
