Mārtiņš Sesks will compete on six rounds of the 2025 World Rally Championship with M-Sport, starting with next month’s Rally Sweden.
The 25-year-old Latvian shot to immediate WRC prominence with strong debut performances in Poland and Latvia last year, winning two stages and running in contention for a podium on his home event before a final-stage mechanical problem robbed it from him.
Sesks also took on Rally Chile but retired on the opening day, puncturing two tires when he smacked a bank on stage three.
In December, M-Sport confirmed Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean as its two full-time drivers in the wake of Adrien Fourmaux’s exit to Hyundai, prompting questions over Sesks’ WRC future.
But in recent days it has become clearer that the popular youngster would have some sort of Rally1 program in 2025, as last week he teased “big plans” in a social media reel associated with one of his sponsors.
The latest episode of M-Sport’s ‘More Than Machine’ docuseries also ended with a scene recording a video call between M-Sport team principal Richard Millener and Sesks, where Millener asked Sesks if he would be free in 2025.
Sesks shot to prominence with epic performances in Poland (pictured) and Latvia
On Wednesday, M-Sport confirmed that he and co-driver Renārs Francis would compete in Sweden, Portugal, Sardinia, Greece, Estonia and Finland with extra support coming from one of M-Sport’s partners, Safety Culture.
“We are very excited to continue our collaboration with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team this year!” said Sesks.
“We feel truly honored that our debut in the WRC’s Rally1 league last year has fostered such trust from both M-Sport and SafetyCulture. Additionally, the genuine interest from both long-standing and new sponsors from Latvia in supporting our efforts is very thrilling!
“This opportunity provides us with immense motivation to further our journey in the WRC’s Rally1 class. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, we anticipate many new challenges, but we are more motivated than ever and ready to learn, all while bringing joy to our fans. The chance to compete half of the 2025 WRC season promises to deliver invaluable experience for the years to come.
“Our goal is to add one more event with the Puma to our current list, the rally in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we will be actively working throughout the season to secure the financial support necessary to make this goal a reality.”
Sesks is low on WRC experience, but has at least driven a non-hybrid Rally1 car twice
Despite only starting three WRC rallies, Sesks has more experience with non-hybrid Rally1 cars than most, with only one of those three previous outings being in a hybrid-powered machine.
“I think Mārtiņš made a lot of new fans in a very short space of time last season, and now to think that those two performances have allowed him to find a six event program this year is fantastic,” Millener added.
“Obviously without the support of his own sponsors, and SafetyCulture, this year wouldn’t be possible. A big thank you goes to all involved, as well as a mention to the WRC Promoter, who helped to raise the budget for the events last season. The culmination of all this support has come together to deliver what we see today.
“I am really excited to see what can be achieved by Mārtiņš and Renārs this year. Chile was a reminder that it won’t all be plain sailing, but I know that the speed he has shown, plus his determination and character, will make him a fantastic addition to our 2025 line-up.”
