Awards keep coming for M-Sport at Autosport evening
M-Sport and the BP-Ford World Rally Team have been recognised for two of the most highly regarded awards in world rallying, Autosport’s Rally Car of the Year and International Rally Driver of the Year awards.
With the BP-Ford WRT* winning the world manufacturers' championship for the second-year running, the Award was the perfect way to cap off another fine season in the championship in which the Ford Focus RS WRC won an incredible eight rallies and featured on the podium 17 other times.
After being presented with the Award by Michele Mouton, team director Malcolm Wilson praised the efforts of his team after a tough battle with Sebastien Loeb all year.
"Behind the scenes it wasn't easy, it was a team effort and without that we would not have achieved it," he said. "Last year was special but this year with the likes of Sebastien it makes it more special."
Wilson also praised the input of Grönholm, who has decided to hang up his helmet.
"We have seen the strength of our team, but unfortunately he has now decided to retire," he explained. "Marcus has been the inspiration for us, and he has done a fantastic job. But I think we are going to be very strong for next year."
Two-time world champion Marcus Grönholm made it a double for the team, picking up the International Rally Driver of the Year Award.
The Finn retired from the sport at the end of this weekend's Wales Rally GB, where he narrowly missed out on securing a third world title. Grönholm battled for the title all season with Sebastien Loeb, but two costly accidents in Japan and Ireland eventually cost him the crown in his final WRC season.
"It would have been fantastic to win the title, but I made a mistake in Ireland so it was difficult," said Grönholm. "Seb was so strong and he was just doing what he had to do.
"The wins and the championships were good over the years, but being with Ford was like a family. It will be difficult now, this is my last day, and I don't know how it will feel without them.
"It was special at the end of the rally, but I think it will sink in later. We will see what it is like next year, maybe I will still be around in motorsport."
2007 world champion Loeb has won this award for the past three years, but Grönholm at least pipped the Frenchman to one accolade this year.
* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA