M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Teemu Suninen will be back in action when the FIA World Rally Championship returns this week – their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs ready to tackle the gravel stages of Rally Argentina. Making a full recovery from the mild concussion suffered at Rally Mexico, co-driver Daniel Barritt is making a welcome return to the squad – the Lancastrian’s distinctive accent calling the notes for Evans once more.
With the Brits missing out on victory by a mere 0.7 seconds last year – and all three Fiestas finishing in the overall top-four – the team have proven performance in Argentina and are confident of securing another strong result this year.
As testing on location is prohibited for long-haul events, M-Sport Ford focused their efforts on a comprehensive development test in Portugal and targeting another improved performance on gravel.
The new-generation world rally cars have contested 17 events since launching last year, and the Fiesta has claimed eight victories – claim the top step of the podium again this week, and the Blue Oval will be able to hold 50 percent of the available wins to its badge.
Not since 2002 has Malcolm Wilson’s team secured victory at Rally Argentina
Having claimed three out of the four wins on offer so far this year, the Ford Fiesta WRC is looking stronger than ever and Wilson is keen to see his team prosper on Argentine soil once more.
Team Principal Malcolm Wilson said:
“It’s been a long time since we’ve secured a win in Argentina, and that’s something we’d all love to achieve this week. We’ve had a fantastic start to the season. But we know how strong the competition is and the whole team is working hard to ensure another strong result.
“This remains the only event that Sébastien and Julien are yet to win. They want to add this accolade to their long list of achievements and, knowing the form that they’re in at the moment; they’re in with a chance of doing it. They won’t have an easy run opening the road on Friday, but they can never be discounted – even when the odds are stacked against them.
“It’s great to see Dan fully recovered and reunited with Elfyn on an event they came so close to winning last year. They both really enjoy this event and have gone extremely well here in the past. They’re in need of a strong result to kick-start their championship campaign, and I’m confident they can do that.
“Teemu too is in with a chance. This is his first time in Argentina so he will have a lot to learn, but we know how quickly he does that. This is an event of attrition and a clever drive can so often deliver results – something Teemu and Mikko are more than capable of this week.”
Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia may have secured 43 victories in their prestigious FIA World Rally Championship careers, but a win in Argentina has thus far eluded the five-time World Champions
The Frenchmen have secured four podiums at the Argentine event and will be keen for a fifth this week as they do battle for an elusive maiden victory on South American soil.
Having won three of the first four events this year, Ogier and Ingrassia hold a 17 point lead at the head of the championship – a fine position to be in but one which places them at a disadvantage sweeping a clean line through the loose gravel on the opening day of competition.
Sébastien Ogier said:
“We’ve made a great start to the season and come to Argentina with the ambition of continuing this positive start. It’s the only event Julien and I are yet to win and, even though I won’t be fixated on a win this week, I would also love to stand on the top step of the podium in Argentina!
“We know that the win won’t be easy, but we have made a lot of progress this year and will certainly give it our best. The competition is strong, but if we can limit the time loss on Friday, which will be the key, I’m sure we’ll be in with a chance.
“The car felt great last time out on gravel, but the surface in Argentina is completely different. The roads are much softer and sandier here, but also quite rough in places meaning that a good result is dependent on a compromise between speed and endurance.
“We completed a development test in Portugal last week and everything continues to go in the right direction. We’re keen to see what we can do and optimistic about delivering another strong result.”
Great evening in Córdoba with my friend @nalbandiandavid ?
Sweat a bit first to adapt jet lag, and then enjoyed local food! #asado
Gracias Amigo ?@rallyargentina pic.twitter.com/nq6duFOmg4— Sébastien Ogier (@SebOgier) April 24, 2018
Rally Argentina holds special memories for Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt who are reuniting this week
Barritt made a full recovery from the mild concussion suffered in a sixth-gear roll at Rally Mexico.
The Argentine event played host to the pairing’s maiden podium in 2015 and came close to hosting their maiden victory last year – missing out on the win by 0.7 seconds before securing the feat six months later in Wales.
The Brits haven’t had the best of luck so far this year, but that puts them in a favourable road position in Argentina where they will be keen to challenge for a top result.
Elfyn Evans said:
“It’s great to see Dan fully recovered and back at an event that holds a lot of special memories for the both of us. It’s where we secured our first podium in 2015, and where we came so close to victory last year. That was a hard defeat to take at the time, but it made us stronger and we’ll be hoping to challenge for the top results again this year.
“It’s fair to say that I’ve not had the best start to the season, but we’re determined to turn that around this week. With a solid result in Corsica, and Dan back by my side in Argentina, we’re looking forward to the challenge and focused on delivering a strong result.
“You have to take a fairly measured approach to an event like this as there is a very little margin for error. There’s the potential for something to catch you out around practically every corner – so you have to have a clean rally and keep mistakes to a minimum.
“We completed some development testing in the lead-up to this event where we were able to get a feel for driving on gravel again. We will have a fairly good road position for the opening day and the car feels good – so let’s see what we can do.”
Today @rallyargentina, the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs have been unloaded and made ready for action ?? #WRC #FordPerformance #RallyArgentina pic.twitter.com/QIzcX0aSOl
— M-Sport (@MSportLtd) April 24, 2018
