The Ford squad had planned to field four Ford Pumas for New Zealand’s return to the WRC schedule, with Fourmaux joining regulars Craig Breen and Gus Greensmith on his WRC return, as well as a privateer stint for Lorenzo Bertelli.
However, the British team confirmed today that they will no longer field a competitor driven by Fourmaux and co-driver Alexandre Coria.
The decision is said to have been made in conjunction with Fourmaux, with the team committed to their driver, who will return to Rally Spain from October 20-23.
“Following a reassessment of Adrien Fourmaux’s goals for the 2022 season, M-Sport has withdrawn Adrien’s participation in Rally New Zealand,” the team said in a statement.
“M-Sport remains fully committed to Adrien and this decision was made in collaboration with him. M-Sport can confirm that Adrien will return to action with the team at Rally Spain in a Puma Hybrid Rally1.”
Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
Photo by: M-Sport
M-Sport withdrew Fourmaux’s participation in Acropolis Rally Greece earlier this month after the team was unable to repair his Puma in time for the event after he suffered a serious crash in fifth place at the Ypres Rally Belgium in August.
Fourmaux traveled to Greece with the team to complete the reconnaissance, but will not make a similar trip to New Zealand.
Teams faced tight turnarounds between events in a crowded second half of the WRC season. M-Sport opted not to field Sebastien Loeb for Sunday’s final three stages in Greece, in accordance with Super Rally rules, to focus on preparing its cars for New Zealand.
Fourmaux’s withdrawal from Rally New Zealand leaves a field of 10 Rally1 cars to tackle the event, which will return to the top tier of rallying for the first time since 2012.
However, eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, who will contest his fourth WRC appearance this season, is on the entry list.
Toyota announced on Monday that Ogier will follow the remaining three events of the WRC season in the third GR Yaris, meaning the Frenchman will contest Rally Spain in October and Rally Japan, which ends in November.
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