M-Sport Ford And Gus Greensmith To Part Ways In 2023

To say that the M-Sport Ford World Rally Championship team had an eventful season would be an understatement. The racing team experienced serious ups and downs throughout 2022, ultimately walking away with mixed results. However, as the team stares down the 2023 FIA WRC season, changes are being made to its lineup of drivers. While Pierre-Louis Loubet will join M-Sport Ford full-time next year, along with Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, Gus Greensmith will part ways with the team, according to Motorsport.

Greensmith has spent quite a few years with M-Sport Ford and attempted to negotiate a deal for 2023. However, the two parties could not come to an agreement, resulting in Greensmith’s departure from the team. “Eight years through thick and thin together, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world,” Greensmith said on social media. “To everyone at M-Sport, all I have to say is thank you and ciao for now. My programme for 2023 will be announced in due course.”

Greensmith finished the 2022 FIA WRC season 10^th in overall points standings, earning his maiden stage win at Monte Carlo before laying down the fastest stage time at Rally New Zealand. The 25-year-old driver has been behind the wheel of Blue Oval-badged rally machines since 2014, commanding a Ford Fiesta racer until 2022, when the model was replaced by the Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid race car.

“Gus, you entered the sport with us 8 years ago, from your first events in an R1 to a Puma Rally1 against the best in the world,” M-Sport Ford stated on social media. “It’s a sad day, as today, Gus and M-Sport part ways. This isn’t the end or a goodbye. It’s a sincere and heartfelt thanks. All the best for the future.”

There have been rumors that he could take control of a Toyota Yaris Rally1 next year.

We’ll have more on M-Sport soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford racing news and ongoing Ford news coverage.