Mikko Hirvonen and Elfyn Evans will drive M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Cars on all 13 rounds of the 2014 World Rally Championship.
British based M-Sport confirmed the line-up today, with managing director Malcolm Wilson saying the combination brought the team a mix of youth and experience.
For Hirvonen, 33, the announcement marks a return to the squad behind fourteen of his fifteen victories at WRC level. The Finn [pictured] joined the then Ford factory team in 2003 and stayed for eight years, helping to secure Ford’s manufacturers’ titles in 2006 and 2007.
He fared less well after a switch to Citroen for 2012 and 2013, taking just one win, at Rally Italia Sardegna.
“It really feels as though I am coming home,” said Hirvonen, who will be co-driven by Jarmo Lehtinen.
“The last two years were really good for myself and Jarmo, but although we will take a lot of good memories with us, we didn’t necessarily achieve what we set out to do. Joining M-Sport will give us a good chance to try again – a fresh start in a car we know we can be competitive in. We are motivated to win, and we are in the best possible place to do that.”
Representing the youth element of the team, 24-year old Evans will get his first full season in a world rally car.
Winner of the 2012 FIA WRC Academy Cup, the Welshman impressed in 2013 at the wheel of Fiesta RRC and R5 machinery in the WRC 2 category. However his stand-out performance came at Rally Italia Sardegna when, as a last minute substitute for Nasser Al Attiyah, he finished sixth on his debut in a world rally car.
“It is an absolutely fantastic feeling to know that I will be driving a world rally car for a full season next year,” said Evans, who will be co-driven by Daniel Barritt. “Last year was a real development year for us, so it is great to be able to take the next step in my career and for myself and Dan to really progress within the team. The great thing about this programme is that it gives us time.
“The whole team is behind us and we have a long-term plan to get to where we all, ultimately, want to be. This is just the first step and I am extremely grateful to Malcolm and M-Sport for this opportunity and their belief in my future.”
Wilson said: “Mikko has done well here in the past, and he provides us with the potential to battle for victories at a number of events throughout the year. We all know what he is capable of behind the wheel of a Fiesta, and he has lost none of his ambition and determination to win.”
“I have no doubt that Elfyn is ready for this opportunity. Over the course of the season, he proved that he has both the mental strength and speed to learn whilst securing some very strong results. I am looking forward to seeing how he develops, and although we are not expecting him to challenge for any wins this season, his talent could certainly spring a few surprises. We have a long-term plan for Elfyn and Dan and this is just the first step along the path to championship success.”
Mikko Hirvonen and Elfyn Evans will drive M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Cars on all 13 rounds of the 2014 World Rally Championship.
British based M-Sport confirmed the line-up today, with managing director Malcolm Wilson saying the combination brought the team a mix of youth and experience.
For Hirvonen, 33, the announcement marks a return to the squad behind fourteen of his fifteen victories at WRC level. The Finn [pictured] joined the then Ford factory team in 2003 and stayed for eight years, helping to secure Ford’s manufacturers’ titles in 2006 and 2007.
He fared less well after a switch to Citroen for 2012 and 2013, taking just one win, at Rally Italia Sardegna.
“It really feels as though I am coming home,” said Hirvonen, who will be co-driven by Jarmo Lehtinen.
“The last two years were really good for myself and Jarmo, but although we will take a lot of good memories with us, we didn’t necessarily achieve what we set out to do. Joining M-Sport will give us a good chance to try again – a fresh start in a car we know we can be competitive in. We are motivated to win, and we are in the best possible place to do that.”
Representing the youth element of the team, 24-year old Evans will get his first full season in a world rally car.
Winner of the 2012 FIA WRC Academy Cup, the Welshman impressed in 2013 at the wheel of Fiesta RRC and R5 machinery in the WRC 2 category. However his stand-out performance came at Rally Italia Sardegna when, as a last minute substitute for Nasser Al Attiyah, he finished sixth on his debut in a world rally car.
“It is an absolutely fantastic feeling to know that I will be driving a world rally car for a full season next year,” said Evans, who will be co-driven by Daniel Barritt. “Last year was a real development year for us, so it is great to be able to take the next step in my career and for myself and Dan to really progress within the team. The great thing about this programme is that it gives us time.
“The whole team is behind us and we have a long-term plan to get to where we all, ultimately, want to be. This is just the first step and I am extremely grateful to Malcolm and M-Sport for this opportunity and their belief in my future.”
Wilson said: “Mikko has done well here in the past, and he provides us with the potential to battle for victories at a number of events throughout the year. We all know what he is capable of behind the wheel of a Fiesta, and he has lost none of his ambition and determination to win.”
“I have no doubt that Elfyn is ready for this opportunity. Over the course of the season, he proved that he has both the mental strength and speed to learn whilst securing some very strong results. I am looking forward to seeing how he develops, and although we are not expecting him to challenge for any wins this season, his talent could certainly spring a few surprises. We have a long-term plan for Elfyn and Dan and this is just the first step along the path to championship success.”