After claiming third place at XION Rally Argentina last weekend, M-Sport Ford boss Malcolm Wilson has more podiums in his sights in the second half of the season.
Elfyn Evans bagged the team’s first podium of the year in Villa Carlos Paz with a career-best result Wilson believes will help take his performance level up another notch.
"He did a terrific job," Wilson told wrc.com. "This one was all about pacing and looking after the car, and he did a great job of that. We know from previous rallies that Elfyn has an old head on young shoulders, but I think this podium will give him the lift to know that he can go to the next step."
"Okay, he was a little disappointed to be stuck in no-mans land for a lot of the rally, not really involved in a fight with anybody, but in this year’s conditions that was the last thing he needed."
A key component in getting to the next step will be the new evolution of the Ford Fiesta RS, due to be introduced at the upcoming round in Portugal (21-24 May) for Evans and Ott Tänak.
"The target has always been that when we get the new car, we will try and get both our drivers on the podium in the second half of the year," said Wilson. "The new car will debut in Portugal without question. The testing is going well and we’re really looking forward to it."