It will be a weekend of debut’s for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team as the FIA World Rally Championship returns with Rally Croatia after a two month gap.
Not only will Croatia be making it’s debut on the world stage, the team will also be using its upgraded Ecoboost engine for the first time. Hoping to give its young line up a boost with increased power and performance in the Ford Fiesta WRC.
The big news for the team is the WRC debut of young Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux. Having hugely impressed in WRC2, he has been rewarded with a limited programme of events in the top tier of the World Rally Championship. Although he has driven the Fiesta WRC before, it will be his first time driving in anger at the top of the sport.
With extra backing from Red Bull, his Fiesta will look slightly different to usual but he can’t wait to get started.
“I’m really excited to take this next step in my career and want to thank M-Sport and Red Bull for the opportunity; as well as the FFSA and all my partners, family and supporters – because without all of them I wouldn’t be here today!
“There will be a lot to learn, but I’m really looking forward to it and will focus on gaining as much knowledge and experience as I can.
“We have a pre-event test this weekend to really get to grips with the car and dial into the Croatian roads which will be completely new to everyone.
“From what I’ve seen, the stages look really interesting – fast and narrow and quite technical in places. It’s going to be a big challenge, but one that I’m excited to experience.”
New co-driver for Greensmith
M-Sport regular Gus Greensmith will start the event with a brand new co-driver in the form of the experienced Chris Patterson, who replaces Elliott Edmundson. The split came about as Gus looked to benefit from more experience beside him as he enters the next stage of his rallying career. He is treating this event as a reset as the long break and new co-driver have given the feel of a brand new season. He said:
“I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and with Chris sitting alongside it feels like a completely fresh start to the season. I want to thank Elliott for the time we spent together.
“He’s a great co-driver and a good friend, but at this point in my career I can only benefit from the experience someone like Chris will bring to the car. It’s all about ironing out those small mistakes, and with his help I believe I can do that.
“We’ve already spent quite a few days together in the workshop and going through the pacenotes, but this weekend’s test will be our first time sitting together in the rally car. It will take some time to get used to one another, but he’s been great to work with so far and I can already see that experience coming to the fore with ideas and suggestions about what we can do to improve.”
With the new engine upgrade, a fresh co-driver and the knowledge that the Fiesta is quick on asphalt, Gus is looking for a strong result.
““Hopefully that will all come together for a strong result next week. I want to deliver a consistent performance with no mistakes, and I see no reason why we won’t be able to do that. We know that the Fiesta is a quick car on Tarmac which automatically gives you that extra bit of confidence, and the new engine will make a positive difference as well.”
“It feels like a long time since we’ve been rallying“
M-Sport Ford Team principal Richard Millener is as eager as the driver to get back out competing and was excited for the weekend of excitement and unknowns that awaited.
“It feels like a long time since we’ve been rallying, and I think everyone is looking forward to travelling to Rally Croatia. There’s something special about experiencing a new event for the first time, and next week will be no exception.
“I’m excited to see what the stages will be like, as I’m sure the drivers are too, and we’re all keen to get the season back underway with a positive result.
“Next week’s event will be a real rally of debuts for us – Gus benefitting from the experience of Chris Patterson in the co-driver’s seat and Adrien taking to the wheel of the Fiesta WRC for the first time at this level.
“We’ll also have the engine upgrade in both cars – producing more power at the top end and boosting the confidence of both drivers on a surface which they and we tend to perform well.
“We’re carrying out our pre-event test on location this weekend, and plan for Gus and Adrien to each complete a day and a half behind the wheel – getting familiar with the performance of Pirelli’s P Zero tyres and dialling the cars into the Croatian asphalt.”
