Rallylegend has once again drawn an array of fascinating drivers and rally cars for the weekend in San Marino. The event opened in style on Thursday evening, with drivers hitting the sprint stage in front of a massive crowd.
Among the WRC stars, M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux is taking part in the exhibition race. This weekend gives him a chance to fine-tune the Ford Puma Rally1 car ahead of next week’s Central European Rally. Fourmaux fully embraced the Thursday night stage, reveling in the sea of fans.
Fourmaux treated the crowd to extra donuts at a roundabout, much to the delight of rally fans who cheered for the Frenchman in his Rally1 car.
He also posted an in-car video of his run, humorously captioned, “When you are lost on your way to the hotel.”
Italian driver Luca Pedersoli ultimately claimed the top spot on the sprint stage, driving a Hyundai i20 WRC. Former F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen finished second, piloting a Citroen C3 WRC.
Kovalainen’s co-driver in San Marino is Janne Ferm, who is familiar with the Citroen WRC car from the 2019 season. Ferm, who announced his retirement from professional rallying after the Rally Chile a few weeks ago, is relishing this chance to enjoy the rally atmosphere one last time.
Kovalainen also savored the experience of the sprint stage.
“First stage done at the Rallylegend 2024, and first time out with my co-driver Janne Ferm as well! 2nd quickest on the Sprint Legend Stage, happy with the start. Feeling well in the car, that’s the main thing ,” Kovalainen shared on Instagram.
“Tomorrow (Friday) evening we continue with 3 more stages, plenty of driving in the dark this weekend. Super atmosphere all around the San Marino area now.”
The main competition at Rallylegend starts Friday evening with three special stages. Saturday’s schedule includes six stages, followed by three short stages on Sunday.
