Martins Sesks set for 2026 WRC return

Martins Sesks has announced plans to contest a partial campaign in the 2026 World Rally Championship with M-Sport-Ford.

Sesks and co-driver Renars Francis are set to team up with the British squad for a third season, aiming to pilot a Ford Puma Rally1 in seven WRC events beginning in Rally Sweden (12-15 February) next month. Outings in Portugal, Greece, Estonia, Finland, Sardinia and Saudi Arabia complete Sesks’ itinerary for the year.

The pair completed a seven-round WRC programme with M-Sport last year, with the highlight arriving in last November’s Rally Saudi Arabia, where the Latvian duo were in contention for a maiden victory before a double puncture and an engine failure struck on the final day.

“This will be our third year working with M-Sport and our second season in WRC events,” said Sesks. “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.”

M-Sport team principal Richard Millener revealed late last year that the team had been striving to reach an agreement with Sesks to ensure the rising star could continue with the squad in 2026, following his standout display in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m very pleased to confirm Martins and Renars’ return with M-Sport for at least six WRC events,” Millener said. “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.”

Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1

Photo by: M-Sport

Alongside their WRC programme, Sesks and Francis are also planning two European Rally Championship starts in Sweden and Portugal, with the possibility of expanding the schedule if budget and logistics allow.

The 2023 ERC runner-up made one appearance in the championship last year that resulted in a dominant victory in Poland, driving a Team MRF Tyres Skoda Fabia Rally2 car.

Away from their own driving careers, Sesks is also helping to shape the next generation of Latvian rally talent through the MS MRF Junior Challenge. The programme offers young drivers not just coaching and structure, but crucially technical support including Rally3 machinery and MRF tyres.

“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.”