The New Ford Fiesta RS WRCThe Christmas break isn’t over for the guys on the Formula 1 paddock but around them, the motorsports world has already started to come to life. The 2012 Dakar Rally kicked-off from January 1st and soon the daredevils of WRC will be back on the unforgiving dirt roads. Ford’s factory team will be keen to challenge the Citroens this year after conceding defeat last season. The 2012 Ford Fiesta RS WRC machine in its new livery was unveiled at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, a traditional start-of-season shocase event.
The Fiesta RS is based on the road-going Fiesta hatchback and sports a 1.6 litre EcoBoost engine and four-wheel drive. The debut season for the Fiesta has been a fairly tough one thanks to the new king of WRC Sebastien Loeb who kept the two top Ford drivers Latvala and Hirvonen at bay during the 2011 season. Having said that, Ford did manage a clean sweep in the first and the final rounds of the season. This year, the Jari and Miko will be joined by former world champion Peter Solberg who moves from Citroen to Ford this season.
Castrol EDGE continues to sponsor the Ford WRC team along with Abu Dhabi. Ford Team Director and M-Sport Managing Director Malcolm Wilson expressed his happiness over Ford continuing to be a part of the manufacturers. He also pointed out that Castrol EDGE will be the technical partner for the factory team in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Gerard Quinn, Senior Manager of motorsport at Ford Europe praised the partnership between Wilson who has been leading the team from the front and Castrol.
Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe’s senior manager for motorsport, said,
“We have a great partnership with M-Sport and its leader, Malcolm Wilson, and great technical partners in Castrol. Our strong driver line-up includesJari-MattiLatvala, recognised as one of motorsport’s rising stars. Already regarded by many as the fastest driver in WRC, during 2011 year showed consistency and expertise on all surfaces. We believe he will flourish in his new role as team leader with the Ford World Rally Team, and look forward to seeing his pace light up the special stages around the world.”
“The addition of Petter Solberg to the team brings one of the sport’s most experienced and flamboyant drivers back to the team where he started his top-level career. A drivers’ world title in 2003 and 13 world rally victories are testament to his abilities and his vast experience will be a great asset to our driver line-up.”
Malcolm Wilson, team director and M-Sport managing director, said,
“It’s great to have Ford onboard as manufacturers again this season and you can see from the new livery how important Castrol EDGE will be again in 2012 as atechnical partner. After such a strong performance last year we are really excited about where we can be at the end of the season. With the car and driving team we have, alongside the experience and expertise of our employees at Dovenby Hall, and our partners, I am confident we can challenge for world titles.” 
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