Fourmaux was second fastest on Thursday afternoon’s opening test at the Freistadt event, but once the event moved into its first full day of action on Friday, the Frenchman hit the front and stayed there.
On roads close to the Austrian-Czech Republic border – a region which will feature heavily in the Central Europe Rally WRC round in October – Fourmaux found his touch to secure his first outright win since the end of 2020.
Driving an M-Sport Ford prepared and run Fiesta Rally2, he and co-driver Alexandre Coria won eight of 17 stages. While there was no snow on the ground, Jänner provided its usual mix of changeable conditions and grip levels.
After registering victory over Simon Wagner’s Škoda Fabia Rally2 by 9.7s, Fourmaux said: “I’m really happy with this result. Everything has been perfect this weekend with the wonderful Fiesta Rally2 – the car was so good in the dirty conditions. I couldn’t have expected a better preparation for [Rallye] Monte-Carlo.”
Fourmaux, who starred in M-Sport’s top tier line-up last year, is set to pilot a Fiesta for M-Sport’s WRC2 squad this season. The British outfit is also running a similar car for fellow youngster Grégoire Munster.
Next week will be the 27-year-old’s fifth start at Rallye Monte-Carlo. He made his WRC debut on the 2019 event, making an immediate impression with 10th overall and second in WRC2.
Images: Daniel Fessl
- Full coverage from Rallye Monte-Carlo will be available on WRC+ All Live here, including every stage broadcast as it happens as well as key interviews, features and expert analysis from the service park.
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