GREENSMITH SET FOR ERC OUTINGS FOR EXTRA SEAT TIME
Gus Greensmith is set to contest the opening two rounds of the European Rally Championship in a bid to keep match fit between WRC rounds, Motorsport News has learned.
The WRC version of the Arctic Lapland Rally is due to get the green light in the coming days for February 25-28. However, Rally Croatia is scheduled for April 22-25, leaving Greensmith with time to fill.
“We’re looking to get around the gap in the calendar and help him develop and move forward,” M-Sport team principal Rich Millener told MN. “And we’re looking at maybe trying to send Adrien [Fourmaux] as well and we’ll also try to get some of our customers there.”
Millener expects Greensmith to show more consistency in 2021 and believes his season-long campaign and test programme will lead to a form hike. That test programme will start with two days in France ahead of the Monte-Carlo Rally to allow Greensmith to sample the new-for-2021 Pirelli tyres.
“Finishing events is key for Gus,” Millener said. “There’s been a few events where he’s done really well and then had some unfortunate accidents. Trying to eliminate the small silly things comes from maybe not having so much time in the car.
“He knows what he needs to do and we won’t put so much pressure on him to do that because we’ve always set his targets and goals we feel are realistic. We feel he has proved himself, he’s capable of doing good times and stage results. This is his opportunity to prove that he is a potential for 2022 and beyond.”