After the departure of drivers like Ott Tänak, Sébastien Ogier or Elfyn Evans in recent years, M-Sport is not going through its best moment in the World Rally Championship. The arrival of the pandemic hasn`t helped either.
The formation of Malcolm Wilson and Richard Millener faces the campaign with renewed energy, but without a winning lineup. Temu Suninen is the driver with the most experience and speed on the WRC, but in Monte Carlo he didn`t start, far from it, in the best possible way.
Gus Greensmith, for his part, must continue to adapt to a top-class car. Adrien Fourmaux is, today, the greatest hope (when it comes to young talents) for M-Sport. The Frenchman is at a good level during the last races. This year, he too will have the opportunity to get in the “big car”.
2022 is presented as a completely different movie. The introduction of the new hybrid regulation has offered a plus of motivation to this team. Malcolm Wilson has already said it several times: he wants to win, and for this he knows that it is necessary to have the best car or, at least, the best driver.
Rallyeslalom, an Italian media specialized in rallying, has collected the latest statements from Wilson. This time, related to his future driver lineup. The Englishman is blunt: “My goal is to have Tänak, Evans or Neuville. Ogier is impossible, because he will retire at the end of the season.”
Three drivers who haunt the mind of the founder of M-Sport. One of them could return to the team in 2022. Andreas Mikkelsen, another candidate, is also considered as a clear option: “Of course, we are also closely following the performance of Mikkelsen, who participates in WRC2 this season”, he says. The goal, in Wilson’s words, is clear: “To have a high-level team for the next season.”
The new M-Sport unit, already called Rally1, will be released (with tests) in the coming days, as scheduled. The team has not provided clues about its model. The Puma starts as a favorite to replace the Fiesta. Toyota is also working and testing the Yaris, while Hyundai is awaiting approval from the brand.
