‘M-sport landed a benchmark’
British team lands 250th consecutive scoring result on Monte
British team scored memorable result,
M-sport Ford World Rally Team celebrated its 250th consecutive point-scoring World Rally Championship finish at last week’s Monte Carlo Rally.
Drivers Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen brought their Ford Fiesta WRCS home in fourth and eighth places respectively, to further a run which began with Carlos Sainz and Colin Mcrae finishing third and fourth on the same event 18 years ago.
M-sport managing director Malcolm Wilson said: “This is something I’m extremely proud of and something that I don’t think will be beaten for a very long time, if ever. It’s testament to the incredible team we have at Dovenby Hall – and especially when you consider that we didn’t have restarts [Rally 2 superally regulations allowing crews to return to the classification after retiring] when the record began.
“Dedication and attention to detail is something we pride alongside our passion and commitment to the sport, and that’s played a big part in our reliability and success over the years.”
During that unbroken run of 250, M-sport has scored 50 wins, 185 podiums, three manufacturers’ titles and two drivers’ championships.
Wilson was quick to pay tribute to his staff, adding: “I would like to say a huge thanks to all the 22 drivers and 28 co-drivers who made this possible, and an even bigger thanks to all of the personnel who have passed through the doors of Dovenby Hall – without whom this incredible record wouldn’t have been possible.”
Global director of Ford Performance Mark Rushbrook was equally chuffed at having the Blue Oval attached to the Focus and Fiesta World Rally Cars that created this record.
Rushbrook said: “M-sport and Ford have together achieved something unparalleled in motorsport: 250 consecutive
WRC points finishes reflects the dedication and professionalism of the M-sport team and is yet another milestone for one of motorsport’s most iconic and successful partnerships.
“When you consider the longest streak of consecutive points for any F1 team was 81 for Ferrari between 2010 and 2014, and then consider the brutal punishment that WRC cars take, it really puts M-sport’s achievement in perspective.”