Ford to announce 2006 driver line-up in September?

By Rob Wilkins.

Ford boss, Malcolm Wilson has confirmed that a decision with regard to their 2006 World Rally Championship driver line-up could be made next month.

Speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio he added that while Sebastien Loeb would be their number one choice, in light of his form this season and last, they have been talking to a number of drivers, including all four of those that have been left in the lurch, following the decision by Peugeot and Citroen to quit the WRC.

"Obviously the market place is completely different to what it was at the start of this year with the two French teams withdrawing from the sport," said Wilson.

"It's fair to say, that basically all the drivers that are driving for those teams have approached us and we are speaking to everybody at the moment. So we will just see basically what happens in the next couple of months and then make a decision probably towards the end of September."

Asked in an ideal world who you they go for, Wilson said that was obvious.

"I mean at the moment, you have to say, nobody comes anywhere near Sebastien," he continued. "He is in an absolute class of his own and he would be the number one choice if we could get his services.

"Obviously we know Markko [Martin] and Francois [Duval] as well - we know what they are both capable of and Markko won quite a few rallies for us. But he has obviously struggled this year in the Peugeot.

"But as I say we have been speaking to them all and they are all available at this moment in time.

"We will not be rushing into anything in the immediate future."