M-Sport Ford Faces Tire Troubles at Rally Sweden, Sesks Hampered by Multiple Punctures
Latvian rally driver Mārtiņš Sesks and co-driver Renārs Francis experienced a challenging start to their Rally Sweden campaign, plagued by repeated tire failures while competing with the M-Sport Ford team. The issues, which began on Thursday evening and continued throughout Friday, significantly hampered their progress in the second round of the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC).
Early Setbacks and a Cascade of Tire Problems
Sesks/Francis encountered minor technical difficulties during Thursday’s opening stage, losing 18 seconds and settling into ninth place. Still, Friday brought a more significant struggle. During the lengthy 27.55 km “Bygdsiljum 1” stage, the duo suffered two simultaneous front tire punctures, resulting in a loss of over seven minutes as they stopped to replace both tires.
“I don’t realize,” Sesks stated after the stage. “I don’t know how you can get two punctures in the front, how it’s possible on these roads. One tire just exploded on a straight. There was no impact, it just exploded. Also, the other front tire lost pressure.” He also noted visibility issues due to a fogged-up windshield.
Widespread Issues Within M-Sport Ford
Sesks wasn’t alone in experiencing tire problems. M-Sport Ford teammate John Armstrong and Lorenzo Bertelli (renting a Rally1 car from Toyota) also suffered punctures, with Armstrong experiencing a front-left tire failure and Bertelli losing rear tires. This led to speculation that the tire pressure settings on the M-Sport Ford cars might be too high, contributing to the unexpected failures.
Further compounding the issues, Sesks suffered another front-left tire failure in the “Andersvattnet 1” stage, costing him an additional minute and 40 seconds. He was forced to use one of the previously replaced tires to continue.
Impact on Overall Standings
As of SS4, Sesks and Francis were already nine and a half minutes behind the leaders. The repeated tire issues have effectively taken them out of contention for a top result in the rally.
Meanwhile, Elfyn Evans took the lead, while Oliver Solberg, who led on Thursday, dropped to second place. The top four positions were occupied by Toyota drivers, demonstrating the Japanese manufacturer’s strong performance in the challenging Swedish conditions.
Other Drivers Face Challenges
The difficult conditions also impacted other drivers. Josh McErlean experienced a rear tire issue, and Oliver Solberg had two separate incidents, including hitting a rock and damaging a tire. Thierry Neuville also went off-track, losing a minute and a half, while Takamoto Katsuta had a minor slide.
Current Rally1 Standings (After SS4)
(Full results available at: https://ewrc-results.com/event/96256-rally-sweden-2026/results/518386)
Pro Tip
When facing unexpected tire issues during a rally, prioritizing a quick and efficient tire change is crucial to minimize time loss. Having a well-prepared service crew and readily available spare tires can make all the difference.
FAQ
- What caused the tire problems for M-Sport Ford? The exact cause is still under investigation, but initial theories suggest the tire pressure may have been too high.
- How did the tire issues affect Mārtiņš Sesks’s rally? The repeated punctures resulted in significant time losses and effectively removed Sesks from contention for a top result.
- Who is currently leading Rally Sweden? Elfyn Evans is currently in the lead after SS4.
Did you know? Rally Sweden is the only pure snow rally on the WRC calendar, presenting unique challenges for drivers and teams.
Stay updated with the latest WRC news and results by following the official WRC Twitter account.
What are your thoughts on the challenges faced by M-Sport Ford? Share your opinions in the comments below!
