Ford Rallye Sport driver Markko Martin may have been denied a win in last year’s Acropolis Rally, but the Estonian is a firm favourite to win this weekend’s event, given his current form.
Ford Rallye Sport driver Markko Martin may have been denied a win in last year’s Acropolis Rally, but the Estonian is a firm favourite to win this weekend’s event, given the current form of the Focus WRC 03.
Martin set a blistering pace on the Acropolis Rally last year and had a minute’s lead in the Grecian event, but a puncture dropped him out of contention. Now many observers believe the Estonian’s first WRC victory is only a matter of time…
The Ford Focus WRC 03 driver is one of the most consistent drivers this season. Statistics comparing drivers’ respective stage times to the fastest time set in each of the stages run thus far show that Martin is on average just 0,27sec/km slower than the optimum pace.
“I was disappointed to lose my lead last year,” Martin said recently. “Many people have said I must be even more determined to win in Greece. I am very determined to win this weekend, but I want to win every rally – not just the Acropolis.”
CARtoday.com reported last week that Martin and team-mate Francois Duval each tested for two days on roads around Gap in South-East France and completed over 800 km. The pair also tested new transmission parts that are set to be introduced for the Rally of Germany.
“The test went well,” said Duval. “I drove for two days and covered more than 400 km. The new Focus felt really good and handled well. It’s so easy to drive on asphalt, it feels just like a kart, very precise.”