Though it reached a notable milestone in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season – securing its 300th consecutive manufacturer points finish, something that has never been done in any form of motorsport – the M-Sport Ford team has also faced its fair share of challenges following a strong start filled with multiple podium finishes. Mechanical issues plagued the team at Acropolis Rally Greece, while M-Sport Ford missed the podium at Rally Chile and then faced more mechanical woes at the Central European Rally last month. Thus, all that’s left to do is look ahead to the upcoming finale in Japan, where the team hopes to finish the 2024 season strong.
Rally Japan is the last race of the 2024 WRC season, and offers up tight, curvy roads riddled with trees across Toyota City in the Aichu region. Coupled with unpredictable weather conditions, this race generally results in varying grip levels and a ton of excitement for fans – not to mention many challenges for drivers. Rally Japan covers 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) across the scenic Aichi and Gifu regions between Thursday and Sunday, making for a pleasant and thrilling viewing experience.
This time around, Adrien Fourmaux and Alex Coria will once again be competing in their Ford Puma Rally1 having secured four podium finishes this season thus far. They’ll be joined by Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka in their Rally2 racer fresh off a fifth-place finish at the Central European Rally last month. Both Munster and Fourmaux have experience at Rally Japan, though in 2023, the latter driver’s day came to an early end due to mechanical issues that prompted him to retire from the race.
“It’s been a long, but positive season for the team and it’s always a privilege to round off the season here in front of the passionate Japanese fans,” said M-Sport Ford Team Principal Richard Millener. “I’m hopeful Adrien can make up for his short event here last year and finish the season in style with another podium chase. Grégoire has had a really good first full season in Rally1 and he has good results here in the past so there is no reason he cannot be looking to equal, or better his career best result to date this weekend. It will be a hard weekend with only tire fitting zones on two days, and tricky stage conditions, but we know the Puma can be strong when it’s like this – so let’s see what we can do for one final weekend this year!”
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