Popular, passionate and blisteringly quick, Mārtiņš Sesks has emerged as the breakout star of Latvian rallying.
After a headline-grabbing introduction to Rally1 machinery, he heads into 2026 with an expanded seven-round programme with M-Sport Ford, focused on turning raw speed into a maiden FIA World Rally Championship victory.
Sesks’ competitive journey began in 2014 aboard a Honda Civic Type R, but it was 2018 that marked his true breakthrough. He dominated the FIA ERC3 Junior Championship to secure the title and earned his first WRC start at Rallye Deutschland later that year. Between 2019 and 2021 he refined his craft in Junior WRC, regularly fighting for stage wins and podiums. A move into Rally2 machinery followed, bringing multiple victories in the FIA European Rally Championship and confirming his credentials at international level.
In 2024, Sesks stepped up to Rally1 with M-Sport Ford in memorable fashion. Driving a non-hybrid Ford Puma Rally1 at Rally Poland, he impressed immediately with fifth overall. Weeks later, on home soil at Tet Rally Latvia, he claimed two stage wins and ran inside the podium positions before a late mechanical issue halted his charge. A tougher outing in Chile rounded out a short but eye-catching debut campaign that underlined his potential at the sport’s top tier.
The 2025 season proved a year of development and resilience. Entrusted with a six-round programme, Sesks opened with a sixth place at Rally Sweden, demonstrating his adaptability on snow and ice. New challenges in Portugal and Greece brought valuable experience, while his pace on high-speed gravel in Estonia and Finland yielded further points. The standout moment arrived at the season-ending Rally Saudi Arabia. On a bonus seventh start, Sesks led outright across the opening legs and matched the championship frontrunners before a technical problem on the final day denied him what could have been a landmark victory.
For 2026, Sesks continues with M-Sport Ford for a carefully selected seven-round campaign alongside co-driver Renārs Francis. Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Estonia, Finland, Sardinia and a return to Saudi Arabia form the core of his schedule.
WRC photos 2026
WRC Delfi Rally Estonia 2026, Mārtiņš Sesks/ Renars Francis
