M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC had the pace to challenge for the top results at this weekend’s Rally de Portugal, but the Cumbrian squad went unrewarded – Teemu Suninen and Elfyn Evans having to settle for fourth and fifth place.
Evans was on top form and challenging for the podium before a loose connector caused him to fall from the fight on Friday (SS5). Stopping mid-stage to locate and rectify the issue, the Welshman’s mechanical skills meant he was able to continue but he lost more than four minutes in the process.
Forced to open the road throughout the remainder of the event, Evans had no chance of making an impact on the timesheets – but kept out of trouble to ensure both Fiestas finished inside the overall top-five.