Wilson: Loeb is not a 'normal' privateer.

by Rob Wilkins

Ford team director, Malcolm Wilson has predicted that Citroen and Sebastien Loeb will still be their 'biggest threat' next year - despite the fact the Frenchman will contest the championship in an Xsara WRC run by privateer outfit, Kronos Racing.

Wilson told Crash.net Radio though that in his view Loeb cannot be considered a privateer in the traditional sense.

"I think no question the biggest threat is still going to come from Citroen and Sebastien," he replied, when asked who he expected would be their principal competition next season.

"You just have to look at his performance this year - [Loeb took] ten wins and he totally dominated the championship. For all intense and purposes he is still a factory driver. He has signed a new, I don't know, three or four year contract.

"The cars are still prepared in the factory. That is where the main opposition, as far as we are concerned, is going to come from."

Wilson meanwhile, talking following the official unveiling of Ford's new car at the Bologna Motor Show, conceded that it was worrying that Skoda and Mitsubishi have yet to confirm their plans for 2006.

"We have all genuinely been trying to find ways and really pushing, trying to keep Skoda in the championship. We are all hoping that can be achieved," he continued. "But it is also encouraging that we can have second manufacturer teams now as well, that is also essential to the future of the sport."