M-Sport will return to competition with its top-specification Fiestas this month – Adrien Fourmaux showcasing the power and performance of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5 MkII while ‘Pedro’ takes to the wheel of the top-specification EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC.

Making his FIA European Rally Championship debut, Fourmaux will contest Rally di Roma Capitale alongside regular co-driver Renaud Jamoul and a striking new livery celebrating the successful partnership between M-Sport and Orange1 Racing.

The two joined forces as Simone Campedelli got a win and five podiums in last year’s Italian Rally Championship, and the popular colour scheme returns in the hands of M-Sport’s latest protégé at one of Italy’s most prestigious events.

Fourmaux may not have tackled Rally di Roma before, but the Frenchman has form on asphalt and displayed stage-winning pace on his first outing with the Fiesta R5 MkII – setting six fastest class times on the asphalt stages of Rallye Monte-Carlo earlier this year.

Hoping to show that same pace on the Italian asphalt, Fourmaux will be looking to confirm his standing as one of rallying’s most exciting young talents as well as the pace, performance and winning potential of M-Sport’s latest global rally car.

Taking to the wheel of the top-specification Fiesta for the first time, ‘Pedro’ and co-driver Emanuele Baldaccini will tackle back-to-back events on home soil in Italy – at Rally Stars Roma di Capitale and Rally di Alba the following weekend.

Both events take place on sealed-surface roads and ‘Pedro’ will be working alongside M-Sport’s expert team of WRC-level engineers and technicians – devising the best set-ups and strategies and ensuring he extracts the most from the experience.

Having joined the M-Sport family last year, ‘Pedro’ quickly become a popular member of the team and now has an opportunity to experience the performance of an FIA World Rally Championship winning car that has delivered nine wins and 31 podiums in the hands of some of rallying’s most celebrated drivers.

M-Sport managing director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “It’s been a tough time for the business over the past few months, so it’s great to see competitive rallying now starting to return in Europe."