THE NEW BRIT ON THE WRC BLOCK
Gus Greensmith opens up to MN
Seven years ago Gus Greensmith was piloting a Nissan Micra in the Junior 1000 Championship against the likes of George Lepley, James Williams and Sam Bilham. Now, the 23-year-old is piloting a Ford Fiesta WRC against Sebastien Ogier, Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville. That is one hell of a transition in such a short space of time.
But just like all other sportsmen and women, Greensmith’s season has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic which has brought the World Rally Championship to a complete standstill. A pause of this magnitude is unfamiliar to the M-sport Ford
World Rally Team driver.
Greensmith tells Motorsport News: “A lot of work was put in for the 2020 season, so yes it’s not a good feeling to not be able to get in the car and do my best. But everyone is in the same boat. There is nothing we can do at the moment except keep ourselves in good shape both mentally and physically before we get back into the action hopefully later this year.”
Perhaps surprisingly though, Greensmith has found himself busier than ever since returning home from Mexico in mid-march, albeit not in the same ways as before. Instead of putting all his resources into preparing for the next world rally, he is helping out with the family trade.
“Covid-19 removed my usual everyday routine which was solely focused on the WRC,” he says. “But with the season being postponed, I’ve been using my ‘non-rallying skill set’. I’ve been offering assistance within the GAP group [PVC roofs, door and windows firm], whether that be communicating with customers, ensuring deliveries are made nationwide no matter the size or value of the order, or even sweeping the floors. I’m just doing what needs to be done. It’s given me a new routine which has been nice whilst rallying is on hold.
“With such a large time frame expected before the next event, I allowed myself some time to relax and enjoy being with my family,” he adds. “Usually I live in Poland, and to be honest, I’ve really enjoyed this. But in general, I’ve kept up my fitness programme and kept in close contact with my trainer Rupert Manwaring and we’ve continued to set ourselves monthly goals which we expect to reach.”
As Greensmith points out, the WRC is still facing a rather lengthy period on the sidelines. Rounds in Argentina, Portugal, Sardinia and Kenya have all been called off with Rally Finland in early August seen as the most realistic resumption point but it’s a fluid situation that is constantly subject to change.
A small chunk of the WRC season has already been completed though with Monte-carlo, Sweden and Mexico all running before the world went into lockdown. Greensmith contested both the Monte and Rally Mexico as Sweden wasn’t part of his programme, but things didn’t quite fall into place.
Ice put paid to Greensmith’s Monte Carlo when he lost the rear of his Fiesta and pirouetted down a ravine.
Mexico was more positive although he was a little mystified at a lower-thanexpected pace which became somewhat irrelevant when he slowed on Saturday morning with mechanical gremlins.
Multiple months without competition affords plenty of time to reflect, but Greensmith is confident his form will rectify itself.
“I couldn’t have done anything more in terms of preparation with my physical change [losing 21kg over the winter] being quite well noted before the start of the season,” he explains. “So no, I wouldn’t change my approach. But clearly my start to the season hasn’t been up to par, so I will make improvements, make less mistakes and perform better like I know I can once we get going again.”
Greensmith has attracted more detractors than most on his way to the WRC with some feeling that he hasn’t earned his WRC seat. That Monte misdemeanour in particular provoked a social media hammering but Greensmith doesn’t let this
“background noise” affect him.
“There will be naysayers even if you’re performing well, but obviously more so if you’re performing badly,” he says. “That’s a part of life, it’s not a big deal. I’ve shown undeniable potential but
I’ll also be the first to admit I’ve made mistakes. Reducing those mistakes will only come through time and experience, and I’m sure I will make more mistakes before I get it right.”
Impressing his team and everyone else in the service park is all that matters. Greensmith says: “The people who know, know. They’re the only people
I need to impress. As long as the feedback I receive from those people is positive on the whole, that’s all that matters. The rest remains background noise to me.”
Just like all of his peers, Greensmith is chomping at the bit to return to WRC action. The potential is most definitely there in both car and driver to perform strongly, whenever that may be. New team-mate Esapekka Lappi bagged a strong fourth place finish in Monte and fifth in Sweden while Teemu Suninen scored a vital podium in Mexico.
But Greensmith admitted there could be elements that will be hard to readjust to when he gets back into competition.
“I miss the seat time and the travelling,” he says. “Thankfully, we’ll be back in the car at some point, so it’s something I’m looking forward to. In terms of what I’ll miss from home life, it would have to be my dogs. Aside from my family, my dogs [Ogre and Dorris] are what I miss most when I’m away during a rally.”
Ogre and Dorris will be making the most of these next few months before Greensmith is back travelling the world and cementing his place in the World Rally Championship.
2015: First foray into the World Rally Championship comes in Portugal – a rally Gus Greensmith considers home as much as Rally GB – amid his school exams. Driving a Ford Fiesta R2T in the Drive DMACK Trophy, Greensmith secures a best finish of fourth in Portugal and Poland.
2016: Another season in the DMACK Trophy beckons, mingled with select Junior BRC appearances. Peaks with second place in Spain to finish fourth in the championship. Makes R5 debut on Rally GB.
2017: With a Ford Fiesta R5 at his fingertips for a full season, Greensmith completes a European WRC2 season with a best finish of fifth position in Sweden. Takes nine stage wins across the season to finish 11th.
2018: Ties with M-sport are strengthening and pace improves. Grabs four podiums across the season including on his first visit to flyaway rounds in Mexico and Argentina. Bags fourth in the championship.
2019: A split campaign between WRC2 Pro and the WRC. Kicks off with imperious Monte performance to finish seventh overall in an R5 car. Makes WRC debut in Portugal but broken steering over Fafe’s famous jump is a disappointing end. Deputises for injured team-mate Elfyn Evans in Finland and Germany and gains valuable experience.
2020: First full season in the top flight. Equals best finish of ninth in Mexico after a trying start to the season but is aiming to get within the reach of the podium for the remainder of the season.