The team’s French driver, Adrien Fourmaux, showed early on in the Acropolis Rally that he had the potential to fight for a top result in Greece’s gruelling event. However, his race came to an abrupt end after he damaged his car on the fourth stage.
Before his retirement, Fourmaux was running an impressive second. But the challenge of the Acropolis proved too much for the Frenchman this time.
Fourmaux was able to rejoin the race on Saturday, and on Sunday, he was back in top form with plenty of points still up for grabs. He was the second fastest driver throughout the day and even set the fastest time on the rally-ending Power Stage.
This earned Fourmaux a solid haul of 11 points on the final day. However, M-Sport team boss Richard Millener was left with a bitter taste from the weekend.
“It was a great Sunday with Adrien’s second Power Stage win of the year, as well as being second overall in Super Sunday points. But I can’t help feel disappointed about what could have been over the weekend,” Millener admitted.
“The pace shown by Adrien on Friday clearly proved he had the performance and talent to fight for an overall podium position,” the British boss added.
Fourmaux has performed well above expectations this season. He has achieved four podium finishes and sits proudly in fifth in the championship standings. Before this year, the Ford driver had never secured a podium finish.
At the Acropolis Rally, Fourmaux had a shot at competing for the win. But he will have to wait a little longer for his first career victory.
“We showed some good pace overall, and there has been an incredible atmosphere with all the fans and the really beautiful stages. It was a tough and hot event, and now we have Chile coming up and we want to come back stronger for that,” Fourmaux summarised.
Fourmaux’s teammate Gregoire Munster finished the rally without any points after retiring.
The next round of the season will take place in Chile at the end of September.
