Hyundai's Andrea Adamo and M-Sport's Rich Millener are both looking forward to having the WRC return this weekend, although Millener admits his squad is behind the eight ball.
The heavily funded Hyundai and Toyota teams have been testing and competing over recent weeks, but it hasn't been the case for the cash-strapped Ford team.
“It’s quite a special moment to come back to WRC events after so much time away. It is clear the situation is different from where we left things in Mexico," Adamo said this week.
"I hope that things will stay in a reasonable way for everyone and we will all be able to enjoy the fight that I’m sure we are going to see at Rally Estonia.
"Like others, we have worked during this period to try to catch-up and improve the things we were missing before. We have to enjoy and make the most of the rallies between now and the end of the season and see what happens.”
Hyundai boss Andrea Adamo (centre).
M-Sport Team Principal, Richard Millener, is also thrilled to see the WRC return.
“It’s great to be going rallying again. I have certainly missed the action – so much so that I got behind the wheel myself on the M-Sport Return to Rally Stages in Greystoke last week.
"It was good fun and I didn’t embarrass myself, but not in the same league as these guys and I think we’re all looking forward to seeing them blasting through the forests once more.
Rich Millener (left) and TV presenter Mike Chen. Photo: RedBull Content Pool
“This rally is going to be the blueprint for all future FIA World Rally Championship events, and I have to say that the organisers have done a fantastic job in ensuring its safe and successful running.
"Everything has been considered and planned, and it’s thanks to the hard work of so many behind the scenes that we’re able to get this fantastic sport back up and running."
Millener knows, however, that his Ford drivers are at a distinct disadvantage against his rivals from Hyundai and Toyota.
“Realistically of course, we know that we’re not in the same position as the others teams. With no competition for almost six months, we’ve been hit particularly hard by the global pandemic and had to re-evaluate a lot of what we do.
"We’ve not had the luxury of testing, but all three crews have had at least some seat time and I know they’re looking forward to being back in action.”
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