Forget dead rubber hat-tricks for rugby stars Nick Easter and Jack Nowell, there was only one hat-trick really worth celebrating in England last weekend… the one M-Sport scored.The Cumbrian firm collected three major international motorsport titles on the circuit and stage last weekend as Kajto Kajetanowicz collected both the drivers’ and teams’ European Rally Championship titles while Maximilian Buhk and Vincent Abril did the same in the Blancpain Sprint Series.
And the Ford Fiesta R5 and Bentley Continental GT3 used to bag the hat-trick rolled out of Dovenby Hall earlier this year.
No wonder M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson is smiling right now.
“It has,” he said, “been an absolutely outstanding weekend for M-Sport.
“To be competitive in a number of different motorsport disciplines just proves how high the standard of engineering is at M-Sport. We have some of the best people in the business and these laurels are testament to the hard work every single member of our dedicated team puts into our various projects.
Wilson added that Bentley success was hugely rewarding, given the short time the firm has been working with the Crewe manufacturer.
“To see the Bentley Continental GT3 securing its first major title just two years after its debut is extremely satisfying,” said Wilson.
“When we started working with Bentley we had relatively little track experience, but the skills learnt on the stage transferred perfectly onto the racetrack and, combined with the racing expertise from Bentley in Crewe, we have together become a formidable operation.
“Maximilian [Buhk], Vincent [Abril] and the entire Bentley Team HTP squad have had an absolutely superb season. They attended each race with ambition and professionalism and this result was the product of a serious amount of hard work by the team.”
Wilson was especially pleased for Kajetanowicz, the Polish star’s success was enough to put the Ford name back at the top of the ERC tree.
He added: “It is particularly special for me to see the Blue Oval back where it belongs – at the top of an FIA Championship. What Kajto [Kajetanowicz] and M-Sport Poland achieved in the FIA European Rally Championship is nothing short of sensational.
“I know first-hand how much time, effort and dedication was put into this championship campaign and it is fantastic to see all of that pay off in the best way possible.
“Kajto is a great ambassador for M-Sport and the Ford Fiesta R5. He is one of the most gracious guys in the sport and he has demonstrated the power, performance and reliability of the Ford Fiesta R5 with real flair throughout the season. A thoroughly deserved and popular victory for all involved.”
Source: Maxrally