Last year, all efforts were focused on chasing the championship with Estonian star Ott Tänak, but his decision to return to Hyundai led to a drastic shift in the British team’s strategy. This year, M-Sport features Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux and Luxembourg’s Gregoire Munster for the full season.
Neither driver is considered top-tier in the World Rally Championship, allowing M-Sport to approach the new season without the typical pressures. However, the season started off quite promisingly in January’s Rally Monte Carlo, where Fourmaux delivered a consistent performance to finish fifth.
“This is, in a way, a new opportunity for us, or at least that’s how we want to perceive it. I’ve seen the press write a lot of negative things about us, but just the new points system alone provides more opportunities,” said M-Sport team principal Richard Millener to RallyJournal.com.
“Once you get through Friday and Saturday, you can rethink your goals and even attack on Sunday.”
According to Millener, the most crucial thing is to finish races. While the leading drivers fiercely battle for victories, unexpected opportunities can arise.
“We definitely can’t fight against the guys from Hyundai and Toyota in every race, considering our drivers’ experience. We need to forge our own tactics. If you can consistently score points throughout the weekend and the whole season, it becomes a good opportunity for us.”
Among the British team’s drivers, Fourmaux has more experience at the WRC level. He himself is looking for a level-up, so it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman can secure podium finishes for the team during the 2024 season.
“We saw what happened to Adrien after a difficult 2022 season. He was consistent throughout last season, and that did wonders for his driving, self-confidence, and mental state. He improved massively last year,” Millener notes.
“He definitely has his chances this year. We’re not expecting anything hugely spectacular from him, but if he keeps himself together, we can help him showcase his true capabilities.”
The team principal said it’s now up to Fourmaux himself. The team can provide the means for good results, but maintaining mental fortitude throughout the long year is crucial.
“The 2022 season might have been too early for him, but last year was a good learning curve. Now he’s much more prepared, even though there might be pressure from the media and fans. I’m sure he can manage the situation now,” Millener concludes.
“As mentioned, our goal is not to perform miracles in Monte Carlo or Sweden, and Kenya has its own challenges. From Croatia onwards, I believe we can start to show what we’re truly capable of this year.”
