Martins Sesks is all set to make his top-flight World Rally Championship debut now the covers have come off the non-hybrid powered Ford Puma Rally1 automotive he’ll pilot.
The Latvian driver, who completed runner-up within the 2023 European Rally Championship, will make his Rally1 debut on Poland’s gravel roads in subsequent week’s seventh spherical of the WRC.
The occasion is a part of a two-round deal that features Sesks’ dwelling spherical in Latvia (18-21 July), which has been made doable due to a collaboration between the driving force, M-Sport and the WRC Promoter.
As a part of the association, Sesks will give a non-hybrid powered Ford Puma Rally1 automotive its first WRC outing to assist the crew’s transition to the total hybrid model of the automotive in Latvia.
The FIA handed rules this 12 months which permits groups to discipline Rally1 automobiles with out hybrid models, as an alternative including ballast to compensate for the load of the plug-in hybrid system.
Sesks jumped behind the wheel of the Puma for a take a look at day in Estonia earlier this week to assist preparations for Poland.
“I’m actually excited to be again competing in Poland,” stated the 24-year-old.
“We’ve got some nice recollections right here, particularly after successful the ERC spherical final 12 months. For positive this 12 months is a very completely different recreation, this will probably be our first occasion in a Rally1 automotive.
Martins Sesks, Renārs Francis, M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1
Photograph by: M-Sport
“The testing we did final week was one thing unimaginable, and a very completely different expertise to something I’ve accomplished earlier than!
“The automotive reacts so rapidly, and how briskly it goes spherical corners is simply so distinctive and indescribable to anybody who hasn’t pushed the automotive.
“It is going to be a giant problem to stand up to hurry, however that is the aim for Poland.
“We will probably be driving non-hybrid to get use to the aerodynamics of the automotive, get to know the staff and to get an increasing number of able to be in good condition for Latvia.
“The aim is to get the mileage, end the rally and be taught as a lot as we are able to.
“The thought and the sensation with this sort of Latvian red-inspired livery was to indicate how grateful we’re for all the pieces that the nation has accomplished for us.”
His addition to the Rally Poland entry checklist will see M-Sport discipline three Ford Pumas, with Sesks becoming a member of regulars Adrien Fourmaux and Gregoire Munster. The Pumas will probably be up in opposition to three automotive entries from Toyota and Hyundai.
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