Ford out of WRC in 2013
2012-10-16 07:35
JAN-MATTI LATVALER: Ford is taking his World Rally car from underneath him and pulling out of the championship for 2013.
BERLIN, Germany - Ford is to quit the World Rally championship at the end of the 2012 season.
Ford Europe's vice-president Roelant de Waard announced on Monday (Oct 15) on Ford's Facebook page: "It's better for the company and the Ford brand to pull out of the World championship."
STILL SUPPLIER
He added that the decision, based on economic reasons with Ford sales in Europe down 19%, had not been easy.
Ford will continue to supply the M-Sport organisation, its partner in the championship, with cars and engines.
Ford's Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala is third in the standings behind already-crowned champion Sebastien Loeb, who has announced his intention to compete in only a few rallies in 2013.
The British Mini brand has already announced its intention not to compete in 2013.