Kubica seeks Fiesta competition

Robert Kubica will ramp up his preparations for the FIA World Rally Championship opener in Monte Carlo (14-19 January) by tackling this weekend’s Jannerrallye at the wheel of an M-Sport-prepared Ford Fiesta RRC.

The Austrian event gives the reigning WRC2 champion an ideal opportunity to significantly boost his competitive mileage in a Fiesta on icy asphalt roads – trademark conditions in Monte Carlo. To date, the 29-year-old has only tested M-Sport’s Fiesta rally cars.

Kubica will also use the Jännerrallye to assess co-driver Maciek Szcepaniak. The Pole, who has plenty of international rally experience after making his WRC debut in 1999, has been drafted in to try and bring an end to his compatriot’s long search for a suitable navigator. If all goes well in Austria, Szcepaniak is expected to be confirmed as Kubica’s partner for the entire 2014 season.

The Jännerrallye is the first round of the FIA European Rally Championship and finishes on Sunday afternoon. Immediately afterwards, Kubica will fly to the South of France to take part in M-Sport’s pre-Rallye Monte Carlo test – this time at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Yesterday the Pole revealed the livery of his 2014-season Fiesta