Adrien Fourmaux is the reigning British Rally Champion having won the championship as part of a national and international campaign throughout the 2023 season for the M-Sport team. I spent some time with the rising French star on Friday during the second day of this weekend’s Autosport International Show.
I started by asking him about 2023 and his campaign with Alex Coria who have been working together for a number of years now and what they learned from this.
Adrien
“We have been competing in sixteen rallies, in UK, Belgian, France, Mexico as well. For sure the British championship helped us unlock the car also because we were doing some testing before, we were not using it on the rally, but some days of development which we were bringing to the WRC2 championship, it’s different, it was a longer season. We were working on the rollbar, new engine package. All these things were planned because were using these in the tests. The British championship we were fighting for a title, it’s always good to fight for a title, the management also to win. We had to win every event to win, as there were some events which were at the same time as the WRC2 events. It was a big challenge for us and we had no chance for error for that, it was important, we have done some milage for experience, it was really good.”
Warren
“How do you think that this will help you this year?
Adrien
“Well, I feel much more confidant with my drive, etc, what I do and my habits, so actually it tells me the WRC2, and British Rally championships helped me get more prepared to go back into the Rally1.”
Warren
“How happy are you to be back in the top class”?
Adrien
“That was the main goal last year, to get back in the Rally1. Only one year chance to get back in the Rally1, so my goal was to prove myself to the other teams, I was able to come back. This is what we did, so I’m really pleased and happy to get another opportunity with M-Sport.”
Warren
“They are a team that like to support young drivers like we’ve seen in the past, such as Elfyn and Ott.”
Adrien
“Yes, I’m still a young driver compared with the championship. We know the team bring a lot of young drivers, nearly everyone except Seb and Kalle. My goal this year is to show what I have been able to do in 2023 and 2024, another level of car, a faster car so with all steps the Rally1 is demanding so there are even more things that have to be done on the road section, we have to regen the battery, have to clean the stuff for the hybrid, it’s all those things that make the job bigger that people don’t realise. You are at the highest level, so you have not much for error, if you want success, so yes, it’s a big deal but I’m looking forward.”
Warren
“You took five victories in the British Championship last year, what was your favourite rally of the year?”
Adrien
“Nine victories last year, and I enjoy every rally as they are different. For sure Monte Carlo last year, I was struggling with the performance of the car and myself, so not so good, then when we went to Portugal and Greece, leading the rallies, wins on the national rally for sure always special even if it’s not the best rally of the championship.”
Warren
“What made you want to compete in rally?”
Adrien
“Just driving, I just enjoy to drive, this is my main goal. For the performance it’s just to build up after rallies to get at least one podium, maybe more. We know exactly where we are now it will be interesting.”
Warren
“Did you have a rally hero which you looked up to?”
Adrien
“Both the Seb’s are my rally hero’s, they are my only ones I would say.”
Warren
“If you could drive any rally car from the past, what would you pick out?”
Adrien
“The 2017 car (a car that he drove). It was really nice to drive. But it you take really old school, Group B, one car in Group B would be the Peugeot, because I’m French.”
Warren
“Final question then, which event are you most looking forward to this year?”
Adrien
“Well, Monte Carlo for sure, one of my favourite ones, Kenya is special also, Sweden also, last time I drove in snow was 2022, so really looking forward to that one. All events I like really, I especially gravel events.”
We at the Pit Crew Online wish Adrien, Alex and the whole of the M-Sport team all the best for the 2024 season. Also big thanks to Emily at M-Sport for the time provided to me to speak to Adrien.