Hi, Steemers!
January 1st was deadline date for the new WRC cars to be homolagated (FIA is governing body that decides if some vehicle will pass homologation process or not).
To remind you, VW withdrew from World Rally Championship at the end of 2016 season. They invested large sum of money in year and half of testing with top drivers.
Later they tried to form the private team with Qatar backings (and Red Bull sponsorship) but that was going nowhere after world champ Ogier signed for M-Sport. Now we have situation when VW is trying to postpone homologation process for their car after deadline. They are still trying to form some private team with private drivers. Rumours are that A. Mikkelsen could be behind steering wheel from Corsica onwards. Problem with VW is that they want around 15 mill.€ for car to be homologated. Also they won't be in manufacturer's championship, but only for driver's.
FIA and WRC Promoter are very interested that deal should be done but VW needs signatures from other teams that they agree with postponed homologation process.
Car is ready to start a rally immediately but the problem is in 15 mill.€.
Show must go on.
Cheers!