Neil 01
2012 Ford Fiesta RS WRC
This is a works-entered Ford Fiesta RS WRC as driven during the 2012 World Rally Championship by 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg, Jari-Matti Latvala and Dani Sordo.
This is the last factory-entered Ford to compete in the World Rally Championship, the American marque deciding to scale back its motorsport programme at the end of the season.
After winning the Manufacturers title in 2006 and 2007, Ford found itself on the back foot against the might of Citroën and Sebastien Loeb with the Frenchman in the middle of his nine-year domination of the sport.
Latvala would win the second round of the season in Sweden, but the Finn was injured in a testing accident and replaced for Rally Argentina by Spaniard Dani Sordo, released by Prodrive for one event.
On his return, Latvala would finish second on three occasions and third twice but would have to wait until Rally GB to win again.
Petter Solberg, returning to Ford after a twelve year gap, was as spectacular as ever, but failed to win during the season. The Norwegian did take five third positions during the year, however.
At the end of the season, Latvala and Solberg would finish third and fifth, respectively, in the championship, Ford as runner-up to Citroën.
Pictured in January 2012 at the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham.
2012 Ford Fiesta RS WRC
This is a works-entered Ford Fiesta RS WRC as driven during the 2012 World Rally Championship by 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg, Jari-Matti Latvala and Dani Sordo.
This is the last factory-entered Ford to compete in the World Rally Championship, the American marque deciding to scale back its motorsport programme at the end of the season.
After winning the Manufacturers title in 2006 and 2007, Ford found itself on the back foot against the might of Citroën and Sebastien Loeb with the Frenchman in the middle of his nine-year domination of the sport.
Latvala would win the second round of the season in Sweden, but the Finn was injured in a testing accident and replaced for Rally Argentina by Spaniard Dani Sordo, released by Prodrive for one event.
On his return, Latvala would finish second on three occasions and third twice but would have to wait until Rally GB to win again.
Petter Solberg, returning to Ford after a twelve year gap, was as spectacular as ever, but failed to win during the season. The Norwegian did take five third positions during the year, however.
At the end of the season, Latvala and Solberg would finish third and fifth, respectively, in the championship, Ford as runner-up to Citroën.
Pictured in January 2012 at the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham.