Ford Fiesta WRC
M-Sport's 2017 World Rally Car won the Monte Carlo on debut.
The M-Sport World Rally Team constructed the Ford Fiesta WRC for the World Rally Championship, with its debut season beginning in 2017. This car was developed from the 2017 Ford Fiesta road model and succeeded the Ford Fiesta RS WRC, which had been used from 2011 through 2016. It complied with the fourth set of World Rally Car regulations, which were also introduced in 2017.
The Fiesta WRC achieved immediate success, winning the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally, its very first event. Over the course of its inaugural season, it secured five rally victories: two each for the pairings of Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, and Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, plus one for Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt. Ogier and Ingrassia claimed the Drivers' and Co-Drivers' World Championships, their fifth titles, while M-Sport won the Manufacturers' Championship for the first time since 2007.
Quick Facts
- Car Name
- Ford Fiesta WRC
- Category
- World Rally Car
- Constructor
- M-Sport
- Predecessor
- Ford Focus RS WRC
- Successor
- Ford Puma Rally1
- Designer
- Christian Loriaux
- Wrc
- yes
- Team
- GBR M-Sport Ford WRT
- Drivers
- FRA Bryan Bouffier · GBR Elfyn Evans · FRA Sébastien Ogier · FIN Teemu Suninen · EST Ott Tänak · SWE Pontus Tidemand
- Suspension
- MacPherson struts with Reiger adjustable dampers
- Length
- 4,130 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,493 mm
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ford Fiesta WRC was built to the fourth generation of World Rally Car regulations that were introduced in 2017. It replaced the Ford Fiesta RS WRC, which had competed between 2011 and 2016. The car was successful from its début, winning the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally, the first round it entered. In its first season, the Fiesta WRC took five wins: two for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, two for Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, and one for Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt. Ogier and Ingrassia went on to win the World Championships for Drivers and Co-Drivers, their fifth titles. M-Sport won the World Championship for Manufacturers, their first title since 2007.
Reader's Guide
The Ford Fiesta WRC marked a significant return to championship-winning form for M-Sport, securing the Manufacturers' title for the first time since 2007. Its immediate success on the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally demonstrated the effectiveness of the new fourth-generation regulations. The car's first season yielded five rally victories and both the Drivers' and Co-Drivers' championships for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, who earned their fifth titles. The Fiesta WRC also provided wins for Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, as well as Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt, showcasing the car's competitive breadth. As a World Rally Car built to the 2017 regulations, it succeeded the Ford Fiesta RS WRC and was based on the 2017 Ford Fiesta road car, continuing Ford's long involvement in the World Rally Championship.
Did You Know?
- The Ford Fiesta WRC won the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally, its first ever rally.
- It took five wins in its debut season.
- Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia won their fifth world titles with this car.
- M-Sport's Manufacturers' title in 2017 was its first since 2007.
More in Rally Cars, Part 4 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced