Is this the moment M-Sport will be back on the top sport once again in the WRC. Once Tänak made the announcement that he would be leaving Hyundai it was down to three questions, Toyota? M-Sport? Sabbatical?
In one of the worst kept secrets, it was announced that he will be returning back to the British based team M-Sport. Tänak will drive all 13 rallies on the 2023 calendar and will be partnered, as usual, by co-driver Martin Järveoja.
Redemption?
It was clear that there was potential in the Puma after Sebastian Loeb’s stunning win in Monte Carlo last season. What was needed was a driver who was consistent, reliable and determined to deliver wins and trophies.
The sheer ambition and drive Malcolm has. The team he has built, the way they operate, it’s tremendously exciting for M-Sport Ford but, perhaps more so for the WRC’s entire fanbase as each of the three teams now has a A-list driver in their ranks.
With his most recent spell with the team back in 2017. Their performances that year netted seven podium finishes including victories on Rally Italia Sardegna and Rallye Deutschland with this instrumental in clinching the manufacturers’ title.
“It is going to be a big challenge for us, but I know the people at Dovenby Hall, I know what they are capable of and with their passion to give everything they have, we can challenge for the championship.”
Ott Tänak
It is understood Gus Greensmith, who has contested the last three full seasons at M-Sport, is still in the mix for a seat alongside Pierre-Louis Loubet after impressing during a seven-round campaign this year with Oliver Solberg not ruling out the prospect of getting a seat as well.
Make or Break
Is this the signing that M-Sport badly needed? There are no doubts of Malcom Wilson’s ambitions to put his team back on WRC heritage as the last time he seen one of his drivers clinch the drivers title was back in 2018 when Seb Ogier was driving for them.
There’s also the question that can this fruitful partnership between Tanak and M-Sport last for so long? As we seen last season when we saw a changed driver line-up after Craig Breen splitting with M-Sport 12 months into a two-year deal. The Irishman, who endured a difficult campaign driving the Ford Puma, has since moved to Hyundai to share the third i20 N with Dani Sordo.
2023 really is make or break for Tänak and for Malcom Wilson and we don’t have to wait for long till the opening event at Monte Carlo in just a few week’s time.
