M-Sport Ford World Rally Team reached an extraordinary milestone at last month’s Rally Italia Sardegna, achieving their 300th consecutive FIA World Rally Championship manufacturer points finish. This feat, never seen before in any form of motorsport, was secured through the exceptional performances of Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster, whose crucial contributions cemented this historic achievement.
This remarkable record began 22 years ago, when Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae finished third and fourth in the Ford Focus WRC at the 2002 Rallye Monte Carlo. Since that pivotal event, M-Sport has amassed Manufacturer Championship points at every rally entered, achieving key milestones such as the 100th event at Rally Turkey in 2008, the 200th event at Rally Mexico in 2016, and the 300th event at Rally Sardinia in 2024.
Over six continents, 29 countries, and 84,365 km of rallying, the relentless efforts of 29 drivers, 38 co-drivers, and the entire M-Sport team have been instrumental in reaching this important milestone.
Reflecting on this journey, M-Sport UK Chairman Malcolm Wilson shared a few of his favourite memories from the past 22 years.
Wilson fondly recalls the 2006 Rallye Monte Carlo, significant for introducing the new Ford Focus RS WRC, with Marcus Grönholm securing a debut victory. He described this as “another classic” moment, emphasizing it was “our first win in Monte Carlo, which is always a rally you aspire to win as a team principal and manufacturer.”
Another high point was the 2006 running of Rally New Zealand. As the penultimate rally of the season, the BP Ford World Rally Team was on the brink of clinching their first-ever manufacturers’ trophy. Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen would show their class by securing first and second positions, delivering maximum points and earning M-Sport the accolade of FIA World Rally Manufacturers’ championship for the first time – a landmark achievement for Wilson’s Cumbrian squad.
But the top of the list would always be Wales Rally GB in 2017, which he admits brought a “tear to his eye.” The final stage of the rally would see a different achievement accomplished with each M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC that crossed the flying finish. Firstly Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja would finish the power stage to secure the team’s third manufacturers’ championship. Shortly after, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia would finish the rally and clinch M-Sport’s first ever drivers’ and co-drivers’ championships. Elfyn Evans and Dan Barritt would be the last car through the timing boards, thus claiming their maiden WRC win.
Wilson described it as his “most emotional” memory in WRC, underscoring its significance given M-Sport’s status as a semi-works team. He added, “so many things happened at that rally in such a short space of time,” making it a cherished memory not only for him, but also the entire team.
