M-Sport Ford World Rally team’s Elfyn Evans and Teemu Suninen will mount a mixed-surface challenge this week as they tackle the FIA World Rally Championship’s only combined-surface event at RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España.

The EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC has proven pace on gravel and asphalt, and both crews will be aiming to deliver a strong performance.

Having completed a comprehensive three-day test on asphalt roads around Tarragona, the team are feeling well prepared and ready to push for a top result.

The event starts tomorrow and finishes on Sunday.

Richard Millener, the team principal of Dovenby Hall-based M-Sport, said: “Having proved our speed on all surfaces over the past 10 months, we’re keen to translate that into another strong result - and that’s something Elfyn and Teemu are both capable of delivering.

“The competition is strong, but so are we and we’ve performed well here in the past.

"We have two events left this season and we’re still hungry for that top step of the podium.

“We secured a double podium here last year and Elfyn certainly proved his pace in Wales with seven stage wins and the speed to have challenged for the win.

“Teemu, too, has come a long way this year and Spain could provide the perfect platform for him to showcase what he’s learnt.

"His Tarmac pace has been really impressive this season, so that should work in his favour.

“This is also an event where the technicians really come to the fore - transforming the Ford Fiesta WRCs from gravel to Tarmac specification in just 75 minutes.”