M-Sport withdraws Fourmaux from Japan

The youngster was due to drive a Puma Rally1 at the WRC’s season finale but the decision has been taken with his M-Sport team to give the Nagoya-based fixture a miss. 

A statement released by the British squad today (Wednesday) explained the decision was mutual and due to a combination of budgetary constraints coupled with Fourmaux switching his focus to the 2023 season. 

It said: “Unfortunately we can confirm Adrien Fourmaux will not compete on next week’s Rally Japan. With high costs associated with long-haul events, the team and Adrien feel it is within everyone’s interests to focus on Adrien’s programme for 2023 with M-Sport in the WRC as well as with its development projects.”

Frenchman Fourmaux has endured a tough season which has been overshadowed by crashes in Monte-Carlo, Croatia, Italy and Belgium. 

He was benched by M-Sport for EKO Acropolis Rally Greece and Repco Rally New Zealand but returned to the line-up in Spain last month, finising eighth overall.