Back in the Puma Rally1 for the first time since Rally Finland - alongside co-driver Renārs Francis - Sesks was on top form from the first kilometre, impressing early on during shakedown and going third-fastest on Wednesday night’s Super Special. As the crews faced the unknown on Thursday morning, running Rally Saudi Arabia’s stages for the first time ever, Sesks immediately rose to the challenge. He stormed to the fastest time on SS2, his first stage win since Latvia in 2024, and doubled up on SS3 to extend his early lead over Fourmaux to 7.3 seconds. Even a small overshoot on SS4 couldn’t halt his momentum, and another stage win after service kept him firmly in control before a late puncture on SS6 cost 12.9 seconds and dropped him to third overnight.
Undeterred, Sesks resumed his charge on Friday. He went just 0.1 seconds off the fastest time on SS10 to retake second overall, closing the gap to only 4.2 seconds. The afternoon brought an even bigger breakthrough when Fourmaux dropped time, elevating Sesks into the rally lead with a 22.1 second advantage. Friday’s final stage delivered high drama, with widespread punctures across the field. Sesks picked up one himself but took the bold decision not to stop, preserving his position - a move ultimately vindicated when Fourmaux suffered a puncture of his own later in the stage. A penalty for Fourmaux promoted Sesks into the rally lead overnight, entering the final day with Neuville just 3.4 seconds behind.
Saturday began cautiously, with Sesks slipping to second by a margin of two seconds - but the decisive blow came on the penultimate stage. A puncture early in the test forced him to stop to change a wheel, and a second puncture soon after meant another costly stop. In the searing desert heat, the time lost accumulated to over seven minutes, and a subsequent mechanical issue left him unable to start the Power Stage. It was a devastating end to what had been a breakout rally for the young Latvian, who had proven world-class pace, control in extreme conditions, and the performance potential of the Ford Puma Rally1.
Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean delivered composed drives through the punishing Saudi terrain, both losing time to early punctures - McErlean on SS1 and Munster on SS4 - but McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy bounced back to post a sixth-fastest time on SS6, and Munster and Louis Louka had climbed up to tenth overall at the end of the first day. Friday brought much of the same fortunes, as Munster battled rear-suspension issues during the morning loop, and both Munster and McErlean battling the rough conditions brought by the afternoon loop. Both crews managed the final day cleanly to secure eighth overall for Munster and ninth for McErlean, capping off impressive seasons marked by clear development in the Rally1 car.
Nasser Al-Attiya and Candido Carrera impressed on their debut in the Puma Rally1, delivering top-ten times on the event’s opening stages and clearly enjoying the familiar desert surface. A heavy landing on Thursday afternoon damaged the car’s rear aero and tailgate, forcing careful management of dust and downforce until evening service. A puncture and power-steering damage complicated Friday’s running, but the pair completed the event strongly, finishing 15th overall and gaining valuable experience and enjoyment with the team.
Richard Millener, Team Principal, said:
“Mārtiņš’ performance was exceptional right from the start of the week. To win multiple stages, lead a brand-new rally, and control the event against world champions just shows his true talent. Today’s ending was incredibly tough, but the impact he made this weekend was huge. Grégoire and Josh also handled the conditions posed by this new rally with real maturity, and they’ve finished their season with the team well.
“Nasser’s ability to jump in the car and compete against these experienced crews is astonishing, and it was a pleasure to have him working with the team here, with all his experience in these conditions. Saudi Arabia pushed every crew to the limit, but it also highlighted the resilience and potential we have as a team and in the car itself.”
Grégoire Munster, Eighth overall, said:
“Saudi was a new experience for us - hot, rough, and full of different terrains to tackle. We had everything from very fast sections to technical stages, and others with deep sand and ruts that required a completely different driving style. I’m glad we made it through without major issues. The pace wasn’t exactly where we wanted it to be, but finishing eighth overall and scoring some points is a solid result. A big thank you to the whole team for their efforts. It’s been a long and tough season with plenty of positives, and it’s good to be able to reflect on that.”
Josh McErlean, Ninth overall, said:
“It’s been a challenging rally for us. A puncture on the first stage meant we were doing road cleaning on the following days, which wasn’t ideal. But it’s been an incredible experience to be here for Saudi’s first WRC event, seeing these fantastic desert stages. To still finish in the top ten despite the number of punctures is a testament to the team. Huge credit to everyone involved, including the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, John Coyne, and Eoin on the pacenotes. Now we look forward to what comes next.”
Nasser Al-Attiya, 15th overall, said:
“I’m really happy to compete here in the Rally1 car, I’d like to say a big thank you to M-Sport for making this possible. It wasn’t easy to find a car, and after one call to Malcolm, suddenly we had a car ready. It’s amazing to be here and compete at this level - normally I come and compete in the Rally2 car, but experiencing these stages in a Rally1 is completely different. I’m really happy with the experience and will definitely aim to do it again next year.”
Mārtiņš Sesks, Retired Saturday, said:
“Well, I think there is some relief for me and Renārs that we have the pace, and that we can do things in the right way. I am happy with what we have shown together with the team after all the hard work that has been put in. It was a pleasure to be back.”
