M-Sport ready for 2024 WRC campaign
On the eve of the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team is prepared to make its mark on the season opener of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship, as Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster line up in a pair of Ford Puma Rally1s to take on the challenges of the glorious 92nd edition of the world famous Rally, still considered as one of the most demanding rallies on the WRC calendar.
Starting in the glamorous setting of Monte-Carlo's Casino Square, the rally then sets-up camp in Gap Hautes-Alpes until Sunday, when it returns to Monaco for a picturesque finish. Crews will navigate stunning, yet intricate mountain passes as they grapple with winter conditions, where snowfall narrows roads and introduces unpredictable levels of grip. The only mixed-surface event in the WRC season, understanding the changing road conditions adds an extra layer of complexity to the crews' task as they make their crucial tyre selections during morning and midday services.
Covering a total competitive distance of 325 kilometres from Thursday to Sunday, Fourmaux and Munster, with co-drivers Alexandre Coria and Louis Louka, will look to focus on precision whilst carefully building speed throughout the weekend. Both crews conducted two days of pre-event testing earlier this week and are feeling confident to take on the challenges facing them in Gap. Rallye Monte-Carlo will serve as a crucial platform for both drivers to continue to learn the intricacies of the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, laying a foundation for their performances throughout the season.
Fourmaux is the only French contender contesting a full-season in Rally1 and following an impressive 2023 campaign, where he secured the British Rally Championship title and showcased remarkable performances in WRC2 with M-Sport, to earn a well-deserved promotion to Rally1 for the season finale in Japan which laid the groundwork to secure him his full time Rally1 seat for 2024.
Familiar with the Puma after his adventures in Chile and Central European rallies in 2023, Munster is yet to face the unique challenges of Monte-Carlo in Rally1 machinery. Nevertheless, his track record in WRC2 demonstrates his ability to deliver consistent performances, securing numerous top-five positions and showing constant development throughout the last few seasons. Munster's promotion to Rally1 reflects M-Sport's commitment to nurturing young talent and helping them to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Rallye Monte-Carlo will also mark the debut of the team's new livery for 2024, as revealed at Autosport International Show last week. This season's Ford Puma Rally1 retains its characteristic lightning-bolt style, but instead features bold blue striping on a predominantly white body, inspired by heritage Ford liveries from the 1980s. The fresh look offers a unique and updated livery that is already a firm-favourite with long-standing Ford and M-Sport fans.
21st January, 2024