As the only private team in the championship, M-Sport is once again in a familiar position. Their biggest star, Adrien Fourmaux, departed for Hyundai after a strong season, leaving the team without a standout driver.
Last year, M-Sport wasn’t expected to have a star either, but Fourmaux significantly raised his profile during the season, achieving an impressive five podium finishes.
Operating as a private team in the WRC is no easy feat. Team principal Richard Millener emphasised the importance of hard work ahead of the season opener.
“It has been a busy few months getting everything into place for the first round of the season, but still we have once again managed it thanks to the committed and dedicated hard work from all the team,” Millener acknowledged.
“I would like to thank them, and all our other partners that continue to support us in the WRC,” he added.
For the upcoming season, M-Sport’s full-time drivers are returning Gregoire Munster and surprise signing Josh McErlean. Expectations are modest due to the inexperienced driver pairing, but Millener expressed confidence in his team.
“I am very much looking forward to 2025, it will be interesting to see how we can progress over the season,” he reflected.
The WRC has undergone significant changes for the upcoming season. Hybrid units are no longer used in the cars, and Pirelli tyres have been replaced by Hankook. These changes present new challenges for everyone. For M-Sport, this is compounded by the typical hurdles of a private team and the inexperience of their drivers.
“There are many new challenges ahead but I look forward to once again working with a young and determined driver line-up,” Millener stated.
The new WRC season kicks off on Thursday in Monte Carlo.
