M-SPORT Ford World Rally Team’s three EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs may not have had the pace to challenge for the podium at last weekend’s Neste Rally Finland, but the Cumbrian squad did achieve their primary goal of reducing the deficit to their main rivals in all three FIA World Rally Championships.

Team principal, Malcolm Wilson said: “We’ve not had the speed we wanted this weekend, but we have achieved our main objective and reduced the gap in all three championships.

“It’s frustrating not to have been in the fight at the front, but we have to keep the bigger picture in mind and it’s been a positive event in that respect.

“Heading back to asphalt at Rallye Deutschland the goal will be to see the gaps further reduced.

“The Fiesta won the event last year and Sébastien won last time out on asphalt, so let’s see what we can do in three weeks’ time.”

The rally was one by Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja for Toyota with Dolgellau’s Elfyn Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt finishing a disappointing seventh.

The pair had been hoping to challenge for another podium, but it wasn’t to be.

Delivering a clean and tidy drive behind the wheel of their Fiesta, they were unable to find the same feeling they’d enjoyed this time last year.

Seventh place was not the target, but the pairing will look to come back stronger at Rallye Deutschland.

Elfyn said: “It’s not been a terrible weekend driving wise and I don’t think anyone can say that they don’t enjoy driving these stages, but for sure seventh place wasn’t the result we wanted.”

Teammates Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia finished fifih while Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula were placed sixth.