M-Sport World Rally Team’s Mads Østberg and Éric Camilli could make FIA World Rally Championship history next week as the team are on the brink of securing a record-breaking run of 200 consecutive point finishes. But before the celebrations can begin, the team must master the challenges of Rally Mexico.
Traversing the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains to the north and east of León, the Mexican fixture is the first of six consecutive gravel rallies but has an individuality which sets it apart from the more traditional loose-surface events.
The route also reaches more than 2,700 metres at its peak which places significant strain on the engines as oxygen-starved air can see performance fall by as much as 20 per cent. The team have made extensive use of Ford’s environmental test laboratory to best simulate the expected conditions, but the crews must adapt their driving style to account for the reduced performance and conducted a comprehensive pre-event test in the hills north of Barcelona this week.
Braking points differ from those on more familiar gravel events and the smallest of mistakes become more difficult to recover. A precise driving style with faultless pacenotes is essential and that is exactly what Østberg and co-driver Ola Fløene have been perfecting.
The Norwegian has form in Mexico. He finished second at the event last year and the last time he took to the wheel of a Fiesta, Sebastian Ogier singled him out as his main rival for the win. The World Champion had good cause to fear Østberg in 2013. The Norwegian led the event and battled for the win until an electrical issue forced him down the standings.
As the third car on the road, Østberg could be disadvantaged by road position, but if everything goes to plan he and Fløene have a strong chance of challenging for another podium result.
In the sister M-Sport Fiesta RS WRC, Camilli will be experiencing the Mexican stages for the first time. The Frenchman will have a lot to learn and it will be important for him gain as much experience as possible as he builds confidence ahead of the European events.
In order to achieve his goals, he felt it important to introduce some familiarity and will be joined by former co-driver Benjamin Veillas. The pairing have a strong relationship having competed behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta R5 last year and it’s hoped that the familiarity reignites his season.
Preparations certainly started well for the rookie as he was awarded a podium place at a ceremony that celebrated Nice’s most accomplished sportsmen and women earlier this week.