Fri 22 Dec 2023

Fourmaux and Munster to lead youthful M-Sport Ford line-up in 2024

M-Sport Ford has officially announced that rising talents Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster will be at the helm of a pair of Puma Rally1 Hybrid cars in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship.

With a combined age of just 52, the British squad's line-up for the 2024 season is the youngest in recent memory. Despite their youth, both Fourmaux and Munster bring valuable experience with the Puma Rally1, having both previously driven the car on various surfaces.

Fourmaux, who piloted a Puma on multiple occasions in 2022, transitioned to a Rally2-specification Ford Fiesta for the WRC2 series this season. The Frenchman enjoyed a successful year and also clinched the British Rally Championship title alongside co-driver Alex Coria.

In contrast, Munster had his first encounter with Rally1 machinery at Rally Chile Bio Bío in September, where he drove a Puma generously provided by friend and supporter Jourdan Serderidis to 13th overall despite challenges. The 24-year-old then impressed on asphalt, securing a seventh-place finish at the Central European Rally.

Team principal Richard Millener acknowledged the unique approach the team is taking with its driver line-up for 2024, emphasising its focus on young driver development.

“2024 will see us take a new and different approach compared to the last 12 months,” Millener revealed. “Developing and helping young talent prove themselves is an exciting way to tackle a WRC season, and with several of the top drivers not competing across the full championship we have opportunities to put in some strong and surprising performances. We still have all the ingredients to deliver results and the team is motivated to start again in a few weeks’ time with an almost blank paper on what we can achieve.”

Fourmaux, 28, believes that his brief stint in WRC2 in 2023 will yield dividends. He said: “I’ve enjoyed being part of the development of the Fiesta Rally2 in 2023, and I think this will help me for the upcoming season with the Rally1 car. It will be a very interesting season for everybody, especially with the new regulations and points system.”

“I’m eager to start in Monte-Carlo,” added Munster, “and the goal for 2024 will be first to get some good results and increase the pace rally after rally, try not to make any mistakes and just get all the experience. We’re driving against world champions, so it will be a big challenge but I’m really looking forward to it.”