Tänak impressed by M-Sport Ford's work ethic

Speaking after a Rally Sweden win which carried Tänak to the top of the table ahead of Guanajuato Rally México, Tänak admitted he had been impressed by the effort the team had put in across the board since his return at the top of the 2023 season.

“We know M-Sport is a smaller team compared with some of the others,” said Tänak. “The win in Sweden was a big thing for us all. It was a big thing for me and for the team.

“Every team I go to, I’m pushing quite hard to make things better and it’s the same here [at M-Sport]. These guys are doing that. I’m sure these boys are keen, they want to win like we all want to win, so we’re working together.

“We know there’s quite a lot to do [on the car]. But picking up wins like we did in Sweden is important to stay in the fight for the title. [In Sweden] We didn’t set so many fastest times, but we didn’t have any really bad stages and we didn’t lose any time.”

As part of that commitment, M-Sport is entering Belgium’s Rallye des Ardennes at the end of the month. The Dinant-based event will give Tänak more seat time on asphalt ahead of Rally Croatia in April.