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The 24-year-old M-Sport driver impressed at Tet Rally Latvia winning stages and earning accolades for his performance despite a late mechanical issue.
When Latvian rally driver Martiņs Sesks revved up his hybrid-powered Puma Rally1 at the Rally Latvia, little did he know he would soon be drawing praise from motorsport stalwarts.
Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tanak, a seasoned figure in the World Rally Championship (WRC), did not hesitate to commend the young talent for his remarkable performance, despite a challenging finale.
The WRC Promoter and M-Sport Ford had extended a lifeline to the 24-year-old Sesks offering him a two-event showcase at the highest echelons of rallying.
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19:45 - 21.07.2024
Sensational Kalle Rovanpera powers past favorite Sebastien Ogier to win Rally Latvia
Kalle Rovanpera clinched a dominant victory at Tet Rally Latvia revisiting his early racing roots for a memorable win.
Following a commendable fifth-place at Rally Poland, Sesks was equipped with the formidable hybrid vehicle for his home event in Latvia.
The young driver did not disappoint clinching two stage victories alongside co-driver Renars Francis and was on track for an extraordinary third-place finish.
However, a sudden transmission issue tragically slowed them just 600 meters into the Wolf Power Stage, relegating Sesks to seventh.
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18:00 - 14.07.2024
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The Frenchman was involved in a severe crash during Rally Poland recon but is now set to return in Latvia.
Despite this setback, Tanak’s review of Sesks was overwhelmingly positive.
“I mean, fair play from the promoter and M-Sport and everyone, the local government and the organisers. To put events like this on the table and then you bring a driver like this, you could see how many people it brings together and what kind of community it creates," Tanak reflected on the broader impact of supporting emerging talents like Sesks.
Tanak, who benefited from Sesks' misfortune by moving up to the final podium spot, continued, “It’s been impressive to see how, actually, Mārtiņš has also delivered. I’m sure it made everyone proud and also brought to WRC many more fans and supporters as well.”
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06:02 - 27.06.2024
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The rally star Sebastien Ogier was hospitalized following a crash during pre-race preparations missing the upcoming Rally Poland.
Tanak’s own rally was fraught with challenges, including brake and transmission issues, which added layers of difficulty to his campaign.
Nonetheless, his performance outshone his main title rivals, Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans, allowing him to close the gap in the driver’s championship standings.
“We managed to get back into a rhythm after a difficult Friday, where we definitely had the wrong tyre choice and were struggling with the set-up. We didn’t have a good starting position on Saturday, so it felt like the cards were not in our favour, but we have managed to take the absolute maximum from Sunday,” Tanak added.
Looking ahead, Tanak remains optimistic and is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Rally Finland, an event he cherishes.
“Finland is next, and it’s one of my favourite events – those roads are made for rallies. Toyota will be very fast again, but we will give it our all – we are always full attack," he noted.
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12:22 - 11.07.2024
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Martiņs Sesks, hailing from Liepaja and the son of the city’s mayor and former rally driver, Uldis Sesks, has been a motorsport enthusiast from a young age.
His journey through various racing disciplines, from beta buggies to international rallying stages, underpins a career that promises much more.
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