M-Sport, which runs Ford cars, is the only team in the WRC’s top class without full factory backing. While Toyota and Hyundai’s WRC programmes are financed directly by their manufacturers, M-Sport primarily receives technical support from Ford.
For years, M-Sport has been the underdog against Toyota and Hyundai, who have significantly larger resources. Despite this, M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux has managed to challenge the top WRC drivers this year with the Ford Puma Rally1 car. The French driver has secured four podium finishes and currently sits in an impressive fifth place in the championship standings.
Check out the latest WRC standings here!
Rumours suggest that Fourmaux is in talks with Hyundai, but M-Sport is keen to secure a contract extension with their top driver – though only if M-Sport continues in the WRC beyond this season.
“Let’s be honest, I’d be disappointed if Adrian wasn’t speaking to Hyundai and Toyota. But at the end of the day, we don’t know exactly yet what we’re doing,” Wilson said, according to Dirtfish.
“If we’re going to still be here, then I’m pretty confident that Adrien will still be here,” Wilson added.
Wilson’s comments about M-Sport potentially withdrawing from the WRC have become an almost annual mantra, brought up either by Wilson or team principal Richard Millener as the season nears its end.
And this autumn is no exception.
“Unfortunately, we can’t continue like we have been. But let’s wait and see. As you know, it’s the last thing I want to do is walk away from WRC. It’s been my life,” said Wilson, adding that Ford also has a desire to remain involved in rallying.
