Mārtiņš Sesks targets a seven-round WRC programme for 2026 with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team. The Latvian will begin his campaign at next month’s Rally Sweden.
Sesks will contest at least six WRC rounds in 2026 in a third M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1, starting in Sweden. An additional seventh outing at Rally Saudi Arabia could potentially be added to his programme.
The 26-year-old contested a similar partial campaign last season, initially comprising six rounds, before a seventh appearance was added for the season finale in Saudi Arabia after he completed his original programme.
Sesks’ best result last season was sixth place at Rally Sweden. In 2024, he contested three WRC rounds with the Puma Rally1 and recorded his strongest finish of fifth at Rally Poland.
Despite that P6 best last year, Sesks’ impact was defined by headline-grabbing stage times and a standout performance in Saudi Arabia. The Latvian led the event and was on course for a maiden WRC victory heading into the final day, before a double puncture and technical issues resulted in a disappointing retirement. Nevertheless, the flashes of speed were undeniable; Sesks’ Saudi outing marked the only time M-Sport was in genuine contention for a WRC win all season.
Sesks’ WRC 2026 programme
Sesks will start his 2026 season in Sweden. The remainder of his confirmed programme includes Portugal, Acropolis (Greece), Estonia, Finland and Sardinia (Italy). The schedule once again highlights a clear gravel focus, with no tarmac events currently planned.
In addition to his WRC commitments, Sesks also intends to contest selected rounds of the European Rally Championship (ERC) this season, with events in Sweden and Portugal currently on his schedule. Last year, he made a single ERC appearance at Rally Poland, where he claimed victory driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 on MRF tyres.
Photos: M-Sport, Red Bull Content Pool
