Greensmith ascended to the role of a WRC driver with M-Sport, significantly supported by his family’s business. However, the British driver has also demonstrated his talent on the rally stages. His best result came at the 2021 Safari Rally in Kenya, where he finished fourth.
In 2022, Greensmith drove the Ford Puma Rally1 car for M-Sport. After that season, Greensmith reportedly had negotiations with Toyota’s WRC team about leasing a Rally1 car for 2023, but ultimately, the British driver decided to give up his status as a top-class driver.
Last season, Greensmith switched to the WRC2 class, taking the wheel of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 car. The move down a class had its advantages, as the Brit got a competitive car under him and the successful Toksport team behind him in a high-level series.
The Englishman eventually finished second in the class, claiming two class victories throughout the season. The championship went to Andreas Mikkelsen, who stepped up as a driver for Hyundai’s WRC team this season.
Greensmith got off to a fantastic start in the 2024 season by winning the WRC2 class at the Safari Rally. Although his victory margin was clear, the top spot came with hard work as he was unwell at the beginning of the event.
According to Greensmith, the task was made easier because he had ample time in the Skoda Fabia, including in testing. With M-Sport Ford, testing was sometimes limited as the team struggled with financial difficulties.
“The testing we’re doing with Skoda is definitely helping. We were in Poland working on performance stuff a couple of weeks ago; it’s good,” Greensmith says on the WRC’s website.
“That development work is really helping. It gives us a better understanding of the car and working with this team – they know what they want, we’re also able to give our input into the car.”
In testing, drivers run the same road from end to end, so it can’t be directly compared to the experience gained in competitions. But every kilometer counts.
“It’s never a bad thing at all to be in the car – especially this one. The car and the team were both great, never missed a beat in Safari. This is the perfect start to the season. Now we have to carry it on,” Greensmith states.
Greensmith will compete next week at the Croatia Rally, where, although he won’t be scoring points in the WRC2 class, he will participate to gain more experience with the car.
