The NGK-sponsored M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will end the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship in style this week as it goes to the famous Autodromo Nazionale Monza for a thrilling final round – ACI Rally Monza.
Lowered and stiffened, the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs, which are fitted with NGK spark plugs and NTK Lambda sensors, have been transformed for asphalt guise for drivers Esapekka Lappi, Teemu Suninen and Gus Greensmith.
The Cumbrian squad has proven form at the Monza-based event and will be looking to put past experience to good use.
Winning the event nine times, the team is geared up for the fight and ready to take to one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.
Team Principal Richard Millener said: “It’s been a tough year and we all wanted to see another rally to end the season in style – and that’s exactly what we’re getting with ACI Rally Monza.
“Full credit to the FIA, WRC Promotor, and ACI organisers for ensuring this event goes ahead.
“Speaking as Team Principal, we plan to finish the year fighting at an event the team knows well, and speaking as a rally fan, we’re in for another fantastic fight for the championship which I can’t wait to see.
“Our WRC crews haven’t had a lot of seat time this year and Esapekka and Teemu haven’t driven the Fiesta on asphalt since Rallye Monte-Carlo at the start of the year.
“But we know the car is competitive on tarmac and they both have a history of circuit racing which should help them hit the ground running.
“Gus has also had a day at Goodwood to get back into the swing of things, and I hope all three of them are able to close the year on the high.”
Mark Hallam, marketing manager at NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “It will be a tremendous final round of the season at what is one of motorsport’s most famous locations.
“I’m sure it will be a fantastic spectacle for all NGK customers who follow the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.”
The team goes into the rally on December 3-6 in third position in the championship with drivers Suninen, Lappi and Greensmith in sixth, seventh and eleventh place respectively.