M-Sport Ford World Rally Team have confirmed that rising French star Adrien Fourmaux will again drive their Ford Fiesta WRC on Vodafone Rallye de Portugal this month after a sensational debut on the asphalt roads of Croatia.
Making his debut in the top tier of the sport, Fourmaux looked right at home taking a string of top five fastest stage times throughout the event, with two second fastest stage times the standout achievement on the Saturday. Sharing the second car this season with Teemu Suninen, the Finn will again be stepping back to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship 2 support series in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, but will return to the World Rally car in Sardinia in June.
Speaking to WRC.com, Fourmaux said learning that he would have the chance to drive a WRC car again, this time on gravel, completed a perfect end to his WRC debut. “The only disappointing part of the Croatia Rally was when it ended. At the time I didn’t know when I would next get a chance to drive this amazing car, and then Rich told me that I would be back behind the wheel in Portugal,”
“I was already so happy with how the weekend had gone, and then to be told that I would have another opportunity to drive at the very next event was amazing. I’m really looking forward to experiencing this car on gravel, and will work hard to learn as much as I can and really make the most of the experience.”
Team boss Rich Millener said that Fourmaux would be under no pressure to perform on his next outing, but that he would be looking forward to seeing how he performed in the car on a different surface.
“Four years ago he hadn’t even driven a rally car, and now he’s challenging, and at times, out-performing, the guys he grew up watching and idolising on the stages. Discovering the power and performance of the top-specification Fiesta on gravel, this will be a completely different challenge and he’s under no pressure – but we’re all looking forward to seeing how he performs.”
Fourmaux will again be joined by regular M-Sport driver Gus Greensmith in the other Fiesta WRC run by the team. Vodafone Rallye de Portugal runs from the 20 – 23 May 2021.
