Ford M-Sport World Rally Team drivers Gus Greensmith and Adrien Fourmaux could be the dark horses of this year’s WRC Safari Rally Kenya.
The Ford Fiesta WRC duo is being touted for a podium by their Team Principal in what is being regarded as a "clever man’s rally".
Although no one knows what is up to their sleeves, the Ford Fiesta duo will be looking to emulate the late Colin McRae who was the last winner of a WRC in Kenya. McRae won the WRC Safari in 2002 in the Ford-Msport Fiesta.
Adrien has been touted by many as a future star after winning France’s renowned Rallye Jeunes talent-spotting scheme in 2016 – a program that launched Sébastien Loeb and Ogier to WRC glory.
In his maiden season in 2017, Fourmaux finished third in the French junior championship in a Ford Fiesta R2.
Adrien drives a Fiesta World Rally Car, co-driven by experienced Belgian Renaud Jamoul, on several WRC rounds this year, as well as pursuing the WRC2 title with the British squad.
Ford Team principal Richard Millener says as much as Safari is tough and rough, some of the roads are going to be the same, just as rough in places. Millener says his boys will take a sensible approach.
“I think if Gus and Adrien take the right approach and understand they’re not going there to push like hell for the win, with a reliable car I think a podium is achievable.”
WRC standing
1. Sebastien Ogier (Fra/Toyota Gazoo) 106
2. Elyn Evans (GBR/ Toyota Gazoo) 95
3. Thierry Neuville (Bel/ Hyundai WRT) 77
4. Ott Tänak (Est/ Hyundai WRT) 49
5. Takamoto Katsuta (Jpn/ Toyota Gazoo Racing) 48
6. Kalle Rovanperä (Fin/ Toyota Gazoo Racing) 44
7. Dani Sordo (Esp/Hyundai WRT) 30
*8. Craig breen (Irl/Hyundai) 24
9. Gus Greensmith (GBR/M-Sport ford) 22
10. Adrien Fourmaux (Fra/M-Sport Ford) 20
WRC 2 Standings
*1. A. Mikkelsen (Nor) 68
*2. Madds Ostberg (Nor) 66
*3. M. Bulacia (Bol) 63
*4. Esapekka Lappi (Fn) 59
*5. T. Suninen (Fin) 41
*6. A. Fourmaux(Fra) 34
*7. E. Brazzoli (Ita) 31
*8. J. Huttunen (Fin) 30
*9. N. Gryazin (Raf) 29
10. M. Prokop (CZE) 28
*Not competing in 2021 Safari Rally
