Cumbria's M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm secured fifth place at last weekend’s Rally Sweden - the second event in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Learning more about their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC and perfecting the set-up as the weekend progressed, the Finns got better and better with every kilometre and took that confidence forward into Sunday’s final stage.

Locked in a final-day battle for the fifth place with Thierry Neuville, it was Lappi who came out on top - securing the position, and also taking an extra championship point for the fifth fastest time through the Power Stage.

Team Principal Richard Millener was pleased with Lappi's weekend, and believes he will get better as the season goes on.

"I think fifth place is a good result for us this weekend, and it was great to see Esapekka getting stronger and stronger as the event wore on," said Millener.

"The more time he gets behind the wheel, the more confident he gets and that bodes very well for the future.

"He came out on top in the battle with Thierry today, and I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what he can do next time out in Mexico."

Lappi echoed Millener's comments, and is looking for further improvement in Mexico.

"We’re not exactly where I wanted to be as I wanted to fight for the podium, but we’re not far away," said the Finn.

"We’re missing that last little bit, but it’s getting closer. We’ve made a good step forward and that gives us some confidence going forward to Mexico.

Hoping for a better weekend, Teemu Suninen brought his Fiesta WRC home in eighth place - the same place he finished in the season opening Rallye Monte Carlo.

The young Finn led this event last year, but a high-speed spin during Shakedown dented his confidence and he was tasked with opening the road on Saturday.

Not in a battle and with little to fight for, Suninen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen focused on getting through the stages with as much knowledge and experience as possible and will be keen for a comeback when the championship returns to Rally Mexico next month.

Millener acknowledged the struggling start to the season for Suninen, but is confident he can turn things around, starting at the next event.

"I think we’re all hoping Mexico will be the event that turns Teemu’s season around.

He’s not had the best start, but we all know what he’s capable of and look forward to seeing him back on form."