Fiesta time for ERC3 in Azores

The duo will line up in similar M-Sport Poland-built Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars. Armstrong is armed with Pirelli rubber, while Widlak’s machine is equipped with MRF tyres. 

Both drivers have some knowledge of what to expect having contested the rally once before.

Armstrong’s Azores adventure is all about gaining experience. The Ulsterman currently tops the FIA Junior WRC standings and hopes that seat time gained on gravel this week will help bolster his title bid. 

“Given the events in the Junior WRC championship this year, there's a lot of gravel,” he explained. “There are two rallies that are slower, technical type of events in Portugal, and Greece. That's really the thinking behind us going to the Azores.

“I think, as always, it's a good way to get into the swing of things early on in the season, get my head around that style of driving and maybe it will give us a little bit more confidence for the remainder of the year,” he added.

Widlak, on the other hand, is here for the win. His co-driver, Daniel Dymurski, previously won the event in 2019 alongside Lukasz Hibaj.

The Pole bagged third at the season opener in Fafe, and with rivals Kaspar Kasari and Dmitry Feofanov both absent from the entry, there’s a real opportunity to score big points. 

• Full coverage from the Azores Rallye will be available on WRC+ All Live here, including every stage broadcast as it happens as well as key interviews, features and expert analysis from the service park.