Vatanen upgrades to M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 for ERC Portugal
The reigning ERC3 champion Ville Vatanen is making the upgrade to a Rally2-spec M-Sport Ford Fiesta for the ERC Portugal this weekend after winning the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy.
The newly-crowned ERC3 champion, Ville Vatanen, is competing in the final round of the European Rally Championship with an upgraded machinery. The 20-year-old Finn will be competing in the Rally Six Cities North of Portugal with M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally2 after winning the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy earlier this season. The event marks the flying Finn’s debut on gravel with Rally2 machinery, as well as an international Rally2 debut for Vatanen and his co-driver Joonas Ojala.
-We are once again faced with a new challenge, as we have been throughout the season, but we are excited to have a go. Our main goal is to learn as much as possible and perform at our best, with an upwards trajectory throughout the weekend. After the first few stages I believe we’ll start to see where we stand in terms of our initial pace, Vatanen said.
The traditional rally, held around the Fafe area, has been a stable on an international level for years. This year the event will host the finale of the ERC with over 180 special stage kilometers. Also making his first appearance in Portugal, Vatanen has been preparing by getting familiar with the Portuguese stages online.
-We’ve been watching stage videos from last few years. Based on that, the roads can be softer, quite narrow, and there will likely be some ruts. It’ll be an interesting route for sure with some new elements mixed in. Only after recce we’ll see the roads ourselves, Vatanen commented.
After a full-season ERC3 programme with Ford Fiesta Rally3, Vatanen steps up to the Rally2 for the first time on gravel. Earlier in the autumn, Vatanen has been competing in Italy with a Rally2 Citroen on tarmac, with a third place finish from one of the two contested rallies.
-We’ve driven two events in Italy with one more to go. We’ve been learning a lot, both from the car and setting it up, and it’s been a lot of good practice, Vatanen said.
The plan for the weekend is to maintain a steady pace with no unnecessary heroics.
-We’ll keep our heads cool when attacking the stages with the goal of maintaining a steady and competitive pace. After pre-event tests we’ll have the first touchpoint to the car and the local roads, and after this we’ll gain a picture of how fast we can go. And, in case the feeling is there, then there’s nothing holding us back, Vatanen said.
ERC Rally Six Cities North of Portugal is held from 23rd to 25th of October in Fafe and the surrounding cities. The event consists of 17 special stages and 181,1 special stage kilometers. The event is shown live via Rally.tv streaming service.
Photo: Taneli Niinimäki
