Millener: M-Sport’s 2024 Proved Team’s Potential

M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener has expressed immense pride in his squad’s accomplishments throughout the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. Despite not securing a rally win this year, the team demonstrated significant potential, with impressive performances across various surfaces, including snow, gravel, and tarmac.

Adrien Fourmaux Shines with Five Podiums

The standout driver for M-Sport Ford in 2024 was Adrien Fourmaux. The French driver marked his return to rallying’s top flight with a series of strong results, achieving five podium finishes in the Puma Rally1 HYBRID. His consistent performances across diverse terrains were a highlight of the season. Fourmaux’s hard work and persistence were evident, especially as he made adjustments to find his optimal pace. His third-place finish at the FORUM8 Rally Japan was a fitting way to cap off a remarkable season.

Millener praised Fourmaux’s tenacity, saying, “Although Adrien needed to make quite a few changes to find his top pace, he never gave up, and his persistence has resulted in his fifth podium of the year.” The result was a fantastic end to a season full of growth and achievement for the Frenchman and his co-driver Alexandre Coria.

Grégoire Munster’s Impressive Growth

M-Sport Ford also saw notable development from Grégoire Munster, Fourmaux’s teammate. The Luxembourgish driver showed great progress over the course of the 2024 season, building both his speed and consistency. Munster’s performance at Rally Japan, where he finished in fifth place, was a testament to his improvement. Millener acknowledged the significance of this result, stating, “For Greg and Louis [Louka, co-driver], another awesome weekend as well, just showing their development and improvements since the beginning of the year.”

Munster’s consistency and steady growth throughout the season were key factors in M-Sport Ford’s performance, and his confidence behind the wheel continued to increase, further solidifying his place in the team for future campaigns.

Mārtiņš Sesks: Stage-Winning Potential

Another rising star within the M-Sport Ford camp was Mārtiņš Sesks, the Latvian driver. In his outings at Rally Poland and Rally Latvia, Sesks demonstrated stage-winning pace, showing his potential for the future. His ability to keep up with more experienced drivers on challenging stages proved that M-Sport Ford is cultivating a young talent who could soon make a major impact in the WRC.

Team Principal Richard Millener’s Reflections

Reflecting on the season, Richard Millener was full of pride for the team’s collective achievements. He acknowledged the hard work of everyone involved, stating, “For me personally, it’s been a fantastic season. We have a great team; we have made some great memories together this year, and I’m so proud of what we have all achieved together.”

Millener was particularly pleased with the team’s performance at Rally Japan, where the Puma Rally1 HYBRID showed its competitive edge on Tarmac. He noted that the team’s persistence and improvement were key factors in their overall success. “We knew the Puma can be competitive on Tarmac, and in Japan both Adrien and Greg delivered,” Millener explained. This result marked the culmination of months of hard work and continuous development by the M-Sport Ford team.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As M-Sport Ford looks ahead to the 2025 season, there is a sense of optimism within the team. The progress made in 2024 lays a strong foundation for future success, and with Adrien Fourmaux, Grégoire Munster, and Mārtiņš Sesks continuing their development, M-Sport is well-positioned to challenge for podiums and rally wins in the coming years.

Millener concluded, “The team all deserve some well-earned rest for a few weeks now!” After a year of impressive achievements, M-Sport Ford’s potential has been firmly established, and the team is now more determined than ever to take on the challenges of the 2025 WRC season.

M-Sport Ford’s 2024 season has been one of growth, determination, and development. Adrien Fourmaux’s five podium finishes, Grégoire Munster’s growth in speed and consistency, and Mārtiņš Sesks’s potential as a stage-winning driver have proven that the team has the foundation for future success. Under the leadership of Richard Millener, M-Sport Ford has shown their potential and is poised for an even more successful season in 2025. The team’s dedication and hard work throughout 2024 have set the stage for a thrilling future in the World Rally Championship.