Martins Sesks, along with his co-driver Francis Renars, is set to take the world of rally racing by storm with his recent deal to compete in back-to-back events in Poland and Latvia. This exciting opportunity will see Sesks behind the wheel of a non-hybrid powered Ford Puma Rally1 car, a significant milestone in his career as it marks the car’s first appearance at the WRC level in Poland.
For Sesks, this transition to the top tier of world rally has been a culmination of hard work and dedication. The 24-year-old from Latvia has been a regular competitor in the European Rally Championship, where he has showcased his skills driving Rally2 machinery. Sesks’ impressive performance last season, including wins in Poland and Latvia, has caught the attention of key players in the world of rally racing.
“I am sincerely grateful for this remarkable opportunity to advance from Rally2 to Rally1 level,” said Sesks. “It takes saying it twice to fully believe that we will soon be competing alongside the world’s most elite drivers with Rally1 machinery. The journey to this point has been a massive effort of many people, particularly my family, whose rallying legacy dates back to my grandfather’s inaugural event in Liepaja in 1965.”
A Promising Future
With the support of M-Sport and the WRC Promoter, Sesks is poised to make a significant impact on the world rally stage. The move to Rally1 machinery will undoubtedly present new challenges, but Sesks is fully prepared to give it his all. Being entrusted with piloting the first non-hybrid appearance of the Puma Rally1 only adds to the excitement of what the future holds for this young driver.
Peter Thul, WRC Promoter’s Senior Director of Sport, praised Sesks’ performances in the past seasons of the ERC, highlighting his winning edge in Latvia and Poland. Thul believes that Sesks has the potential to become a regular face in the WRC and is committed to supporting the next generation of world champions in making the challenging step to the highest echelon of the sport.
M-Sport team principal Richard Millener also expressed his excitement about working with Sesks on this project, noting that Sesks is the “perfect candidate” to debut the new non-hybrid version of the Puma. The decision to field Rally1 cars without the hybrid unit not only offers a more cost-effective solution for customer drivers but also provides an opportunity for promising talents like Sesks to ease into the Rally1 category.
“Martins has an impressive resume and is a perfect candidate for debuting this new non-hybrid strategy,” said Millener. “It was a good opportunity to give him the seat time in Poland before competing with full hybrid on his home event.”
Martins Sesks’ journey from the European Rally Championship to the World Rally Championship is a testament to his talent, dedication, and resilience. As he prepares to make his mark on the world stage, all eyes will be on this rising star as he continues to defy expectations and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of rally racing.
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