M-Sport Ford ready to catch Hyundai in Germany

Conducted both in the general classification of Drivers and Manufacturers, M-Sport Ford will try to regain ground Hyundai when rally from Germany (August 16-19). The British structure intends to take advantage of its latest performances on asphalt.

The last tarmac rally, the Tour de Corse, was won by Sébastien Ogier last spring. Even more galvanizing, the last edition of the German rally crowned Ott Tänak, a clear sign that the new generation Ford Fiesta is fast on this demanding terrain.

Relegated to 21 points Thierry Neuville, Sébastien Ogier dreams “leading positions in Germany. The goal is victory, but everyone knows the challenge represented by the variety of special stages », Explains the three-time winner of the event (2011, 2015, 2016).

After 2 days of testing we are ready for #RallyDeutschland! Feeling is good and we'll love high next weekend

@HenssentonyB pic.twitter.com/Bi28fX9MgT

- Sébastien Ogier (@SebOgier) August 12, 2018

The German rally indeed includes winding sections traced among the vines as well as fast special stages on military terrain (Baumholder), where the slightest mistake is paid for in cash due toa concrete surface delimited by enormous blocks, also made of concrete.

The four-time world champion will be accompanied byElfyn Evans, who missed the podium in 2014 but took the opportunity to win his first special in WRC. “The weather conditions are constantly changing, you absolutely have to find the right feeling and the right settings, it’s a very difficult round and that’s why I like it”, confers the Welshman.

Finally, the young Finnish generation embodied by Teemu Sunninen will make his asphalt WRC debut. Malcolm Wilson, Team Principal of M-Sport Ford, does not want to put pressure on him but remains realistic. “He will have a more difficult weekend than his teammates. It's a big milestone in his career and I'm sure he's looking forward to it. »
 
The 24-year-old driver, third in the Sardinia rally (Italy), has already competed in Germany, but with R5 models. “This test will be filled with questions. It's a real leap into the unknown because I know nothing about driving a WRC on this surface. I am very curious to see how the tires and brakes behave,” explains the third in WRC2 2017.