Adrien Fourmaux, A laughingstock in the WRC. When will the teams stop wasting resources on him
Adrien Fourmaux’s World Rally Championship (WRC) career has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with flashes of brilliance, costly mistakes, and endless debates about whether he truly deserves a seat in the sport’s top tier. As manufacturers pour millions into their WRC programs, one critical question arises: is Fourmaux worth the investment, or is he simply wasting valuable resources?
To some, he represents untapped potential—a driver with the raw speed to compete at the highest level if given the right guidance. To others, he is a costly liability who has crashed more than he has impressed, draining team budgets while failing to deliver results.
So, is Adrien Fourmaux truly a laughingstock in the WRC, or does he still have a future in the sport?
The Rise of Adrien Fourmaux: A Promising Start
Before dissecting his WRC struggles, it’s essential to acknowledge how Fourmaux reached the pinnacle of rallying. His rise through the ranks was impressive.
- Early Years (2017-2019): Fourmaux transitioned from a medical career to rallying—a unique path compared to most WRC drivers. He quickly caught attention in junior categories, showing a mix of intelligence and natural driving talent.
- WRC 2 Success (2019-2020): Driving for M-Sport Ford, Fourmaux secured podiums in WRC 2, proving he had the pace to compete against future stars like Oliver Solberg and Andreas Mikkelsen.
- WRC Debut (2021): M-Sport promoted him to a part-time WRC seat, where he showed glimpses of speed and maturity. His fifth-place finish at the 2021 Croatia Rally was a standout moment.
At this stage, Fourmaux seemed like a promising investment—a young driver with potential, learning from his mistakes and gradually improving.
The Downfall: A String of Disasters in 2022
While his early WRC outings were respectable, the 2022 season exposed Fourmaux’s biggest weakness: inconsistency and a tendency to crash under pressure.
1. Monte Carlo 2022: A Horrific Start
Fourmaux began his first full-time WRC season with a disastrous crash at Rally Monte Carlo, where he lost control on the first full day, destroying his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally 1. This immediately raised concerns about his ability to handle the pressure of a manufacturer seat.
2. Portugal 2022: Another Costly Mistake
At Rally Portugal, he once again found himself in trouble, rolling his car spectacularly and retiring early. By this point, even M-Sport team principal Richard Millener expressed frustration, hinting that crashes were becoming unacceptable.
3. Estonia & Finland: More Wreckage
On the high-speed gravel roads of Estonia and Finland, Fourmaux continued to struggle, with multiple off-road moments that cost him valuable time. While other young drivers, like Kalle Rovanperä and Oliver Solberg, were adapting quickly to the Rally1 era, Fourmaux was falling behind.
By the end of 2022, his reputation was in tatters, and M-Sport dropped him from their top-tier WRC lineup, demoting him back to WRC 2.
M-Sport’s Loyalty: Why Are They Still Investing in Fourmaux?
Despite his struggles, M-Sport Ford has continued to support Fourmaux, giving him opportunities in both Rally 1 and WRC 2 machinery. This has led many to ask: Why is the team still wasting resources on a driver who has failed to deliver?
1. Financial Constraints at M-Sport
Unlike Toyota and Hyundai, M-Sport operates on a much smaller budget, relying heavily on sponsorships and manufacturer funding. Fourmaux brings financial backing, making him an affordable option for the team compared to signing high-profile drivers.
2. Lack of Alternatives
The WRC driver market is limited, and M-Sport has struggled to attract elite drivers. With Ott Tänak returning to Hyundai and Craig Breen tragically passing away, the team has fewer choices. Fourmaux remains one of the few options available, despite his history of crashes.
3. Hopes of a Redemption Story
Some at M-Sport still believe Fourmaux can improve, pointing to his occasional strong performances in WRC 2. His 2023 season in WRC 2 was solid, showing better control and fewer mistakes. However, translating that into consistent top-level WRC performances remains a major challenge.
Does Fourmaux Deserve Another Shot in the WRC?
With M-Sport bringing Fourmaux back for selected WRC events in 2024, the big question remains: can he prove his doubters wrong?
Reasons for Optimism
- Experience: Fourmaux has now had several seasons to learn from his mistakes. If he can mature as a driver, he might still have a future.
- Improved Consistency in WRC 2: His 2023 season in WRC 2 showed fewer crashes, suggesting he is working on his control.
- A Weaker WRC Field: With fewer factory-backed teams, opportunities for drivers like Fourmaux are still available, even if they are not the first choice.
Reasons for Doubt
- Lack of Racecraft Under Pressure: Every time Fourmaux is put in a high-stakes WRC event, he cracks under pressure.
- M-Sport Cannot Afford More Wasted Resources: Every time Fourmaux crashes, M-Sport loses hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs. This is unsustainable for a small private team.
- Younger, more promising talents are emerging: Drivers like Sami Pajari, Gregoire Munster, and even Oliver Solberg are waiting for a chance. At what point does M-Sport cut their losses and invest in fresh talent?
Is Adrien Fourmaux a laughingstock?
The term “laughingstock” might sound harsh, but the reality is that Fourmaux’s reputation in WRC is at an all-time low. Every time he steps into a Rally 1 car, fans expect him to crash rather than compete. His name has become synonymous with inconsistency, and the patience of WRC followers is wearing thin.
However, Fourmaux is not without talent. His raw speed is undeniable, and he has shown that he can deliver when he gets things right. The problem is that his moments of brilliance are overshadowed by too many costly mistakes.
What Needs to Happen for Fourmaux to Stay in WRC?
- Prove Himself in WRC 2: He needs a dominant season in WRC 2 to justify another chance in a Rally 1 car.
- Stay Crash-Free in Key WRC Events: If given opportunities in top-tier rallies, he must finish without mistakes, even if it means sacrificing speed.
- Gain More Mental Toughness: Fourmaux seems to struggle under pressure. He needs to develop the composure that separates champions from liabilities.
Final Verdict: Is It Time for Teams to Move On?
At this point, M-Sport must seriously evaluate whether investing in Fourmaux is worth it. If 2024 proves to be another season of crashes and missed opportunities, it might finally be time to cut ties and give a new driver a chance.
While Fourmaux still has potential, he is dangerously close to becoming a permanent footnote in WRC history—a driver who had speed but never managed to put it all together.
If he doesn’t prove himself soon, his time in the WRC may run out for good.
