ERC
WRC star Sesks plots ERC action, prepares to “give something back”
Mārtiņš Sesks will contest at least two rounds of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship with efforts to expand his schedule to cover more events under way.
Sesks, who added a fourth ERC win to his tally when he triumphed for Team MRF Tyres on ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland last June, has confirmed plans to tackle BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia in May followed by an outing on Rally Five Cities North of Portugal in October.
Sesks produced a fine drive to win Rally Poland for a second time in 2025
© ERC
The 26-year-old Latvian’s ERC appearances will be in an addition to what he hopes will be a seven-event FIA World Rally Championship programme with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team – at the wheel of a Ford Puma Rally1 – plus his role within the all-new MS MRF Junior Challenge.
“Alongside our WRC programme, we are also planning two ERC starts in Sweden and Portugal, with the possibility of expanding the schedule if budget and logistics allow,” said Sesks, who will continue his long-term partnership with co-driver Renārs Francis. “The same flexible approach has already paid dividends in recent seasons through cooperation with MRF Tyres and Sports Racing Technologies, where additional events were added mid-season.”
More details on Sesks’ ERC bid will be revealed at a later date.
Vivek Ponnusamy from MRF Tyres (centre) with Francis and Sesks
© Dace Janova
MS MRF Junior Challenge a chance to support rising Latvian talents
As well as his busy competition schedule, Mārtiņš Sesks is putting his experience, expertise and profile behind the new-for-2026 MS MRF Junior Challenge.
It has been developed to offer “young drivers not just coaching and structure, but crucially technical support including Rally3 machinery and MRF tyres”, according to today’s press announcement.
“I received a lot of support from the Autosport Academy earlier in my career,” Sesks explained. “Now it feels like the right time to give something back. If we want Latvian rallying to stay strong, we have to help young drivers take their first serious steps.”
The MS MRF Junior Challenge line-up for 2026
© Dace Janova
Full-time WRC ride the target as Sesks secures Rally1 return
Mārtiņš Sesks and Renārs Francis are determined to use what they hope will be a seven-event FIA World Rally Championship campaign as a springboard to a full WRC attack in 2027 when the sport’s eagerly anticipated WRC27 technical regulations are unleashed.
Supported by technology company Tet, the Latvians are treating 2026 as “a crucial development season designed to build experience across a wide variety of rallies and conditions before a potential future move into full-time WRC competition” a statement from Sesks’ camp read.
Standout performance put Sesks in the Rally Saudi Arabia victory fight
© WRC
“Their performance at Rally Saudi Arabia at the end of 2025, proved to be a great moment. Once their stage knowledge matched that of the regular frontrunners, Sesks and Francis immediately showed front-running pace, catching the attention of both insiders and rival teams. That experience now shapes their thinking for 2026”.
Sesks said: “This will be our third year working with M-Sport and our second season in WRC events. We have gained experience, but the real question is how well we can use it. After the first rallies of the season, we will quickly see how strong our foundation really is.”
Francis said: “Every rally, every set of notes, every kilometre at WRC level gives us real lessons. The goal isn’t just to participate, but to build something long term. Motorsport is our only choice. The car is good, and we must keep improving. Even half a WRC season combined with ERC and national events is extremely demanding, but that’s exactly the level we want to operate at.”
Latvian star gets seven WRC events in 2026
© WRC
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Richard Millener added: “I’m very pleased to confirm Mārtiņš and Renārs’ return with M-Sport for at least six WRC events. After the ups and downs of Saudi Arabia, I genuinely believe strong results are possible. Putting this programme together hasn’t been easy, but the season is already just weeks away.”
With ongoing support from SafetyCulture, Sesks and Francis plan to contest the WRC events in Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Estonia, Finland, Sardinia and Saudi Arabia.
