WRC: VW Win, What Now For Citroen?

Volkswagen have won their maiden World Rally event, with Sebastian Ogier driving the marque to victory in Rally Sweden. 
The well documented victory adds fuel to the fire concerning Ogier and VW's title credentials, and certainly supplies an unwelcome migraine to rival teams Citroen and Qatar M-Sport. However, does the win have further implications? 
Well, a brief pondering-session would suggest so. A maiden victory for any team/driver combination is always a popular one, even if it comes courtesy of one of the worlds largest car company's. However, it's taken less than two-events for VW to achieve success.With almost-guaranteed car development thanks to the marques deep pockets, and arguably the finest driver line-up in Jari-Matti Latvala and Sebastian Ogier, is it probable more than possible that VW might about to completely steam-roll the WRC? 
Should this illusion of mine take shape, it leaves the series' most prolific competitor, Citroen, with a number of huge decisions to make. Do they invest more into their rallying-programme to try and compete? Do they bide their time as second best, in an obviously struggling series? With all important TV-Rights/airtime going quite frankly arse-over-tit in the WRC at the moment, and an expected assault in World Touring Cars on the horizon, fans, the F.I.A, and indeed Motorsport as whole, should be worried. 
Should Citroen leave the sport as a factory-backed team, it leaves the newbies VW, as the only factory-representatives, which is good for no-one.In a nutshell: less sponsorship, less broadcasting appeal, reduction of competition, and in tough economic times (yawn), a high doubt-factor of any other manufactures rushing to the rescue of the WRC. 
A final key-catalyst of potential destruction, is the part-retirement of a certain Frenchman, Sebastian Loeb. Loeb is quite simply the most successful rally driver of all time, and is to rally what Tiger Woods is (well, was...) to Golf, and what David Beckham is to Football.Take away such a name from a sport in such a fragile state as the WRC is now, and it could be potentially be disastrous. Citroen have lost their champion, massive brand identity and elder statesman responsible for all their WRC success, and fans around the world have lost a man truly worshipped by admirers of sideways-action. A legend removed, and an ever gaping hole left behind, could well see the the WRC go head on into a tree, at what is a tight icey turn in the series' illustrious existence.

Glock Leaves Marussia?

Today (Sunday), rumours have been rife concerning Timo Glock's place within the Marussia F1 team.
the rumour became widespread after German newspaper 'Sport Bild' (http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/formel-1/2013/01/20/sport-bild-plus/glock-und-marussia-gehen-getrennte-wege.html) ran the story this evening on their website, claiming an official announcement will be made tomorrow (monday).
 Glock is quoted as stating: "I have experienced three great years with Marussia, we part in friendship". Whether the rumour becomes justified or not is still to be seen, but one would presume that the use of direct quotation and indefinite language, would suggest a manner of truth in the story.
My thoughts? Not surprising. Glock stunned the Formula One world when he committed to the then 'Virgin F1' team for the squad's inaugural season in 2010. As a former consistent points scorer and erstwhile podium finisher, you have to feel that Marussia/Virgin's extended three year baptism of fire in the sport has left Glock ruing the day he signed on the dotted line.
So what are his options? His apparent departure leaves three seats available on the grid for the coming season, the other two of course being at Force India and Caterham. With Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil apparently in a two horse race for the seat alongside Paul Di Resta, it would seem the German's chances lie more realistically with Caterham. That, or perhaps a seat outside of F1... DTM perhaps? Lets not forget Glock's previous role as a BMW-Sauber test driver, the marque would surely be interested in taking on-board the undoubtedly talented and experienced Glock, should he wish to walk away from the F1 paddock.

Formula E. Electric Ecstasy or Sorry Silence?

Now that the majority of the Motorsport calendar for 2012 has come to a close, it's time for the sport to do one of two things; ease the foot off of the gas and get all festive, or pent-up and looking ahead to the future, and the return of the green light and chequered flag. Oh, and this can also involve getting festive.
I am doing the latter, and perhaps being too eager. For you see, it's not 2013 at the moment that im particularly excited about, but 2014, and the introduction of Formula E.
This new-for-2014 series is perhaps one of the most important Motorsport ventures of our generation, well mine at least, and could possibly help significantly shape the future of Motorsport around the world. The 'E', as maybe guessed, stands for electric (cue the booing over no noise, from me included). Yes, that word thats creeping into the automotive world like a Bull in China Shop. Not welcome, but there. So put two and two together, and  you've got it; a racing series  comprising of all-electric, single-seater machinery.
It's not the first attempt to launch a series based on similarly environment-friendly principles, but unlike previous failed efforts, the project has a severe amount of backing behind it, leaving failure as a practically  redundant option. The single most important aspect to Formula E, is it's FIA-granted License, which in itself grabs the attention of anyone with even a vague whiff of Motorsport knowledge.
Perhaps more interesting and insightful however, is the more hands-on features of the series. For example, McLaren have themselves agreed with series CEO Alejandro Agag, to supply the motor, transmission, and electronics, or in Queens English  the cars essentials. Speaking of cars, no-less than 42 of them have been ordered, with ex-Formula One and GP2 driver Lucas Di Grassi tasked with the vital job of testing and fine-tuning the radical new car.
So just why does this bode so significantly on Motorsport as a whole? Well the first key point to remember, is that FIA President Jean Todt has publicly expressed his wish for a greater influence of 'green technology' to be used not just in Formula One, but across the FIA spectrum. When you consider that Formula E's inaugural series in 2014 coincides with dramatic technical rule changes taking place in Formula One (new engines, more environmentally friendly aspects throughout the cars),  it could be judged that the new Formula could stand as a so-called 'guinea-pig' series for the next set of technical regulation changes after 2014 in the premier-class, which one would predict to be yet more 'green' focused.
McLaren's involvement stands in itself, as a significant indication of just how  seriously Formula E is being taken, with the Woking-based team seemingly chomping at the bit to move-in and begin development on electric-Motorsport solutions. Such development would surely benefit not only their Formula One outfit, but also the brands road car-division and overall reputation as industry-leaders when it comes to environmentally -aware technology. After all, their Formula E endeavour was announced only a matter of months after McLaren was officially confirmed as being carbon-neutral, in February 2012.
The creation of Formula E as a whole is clearly one fuelled by ambition, technological-advance and long-term focus for Motorsport as a whole, and despite the inevitable loss of the noise-aspect, should be at least welcomed cautiously by all. With the series already confirming events in Rome and Rio di Janeiro, aswell as promising a calendar filled only by street-races, Formula E certainly can be commended for being nothing short of promising and exciting, and certainly one to keep an eye on during it's 2013 pregnancy.