Martin Sesks and MRF: Charting a course through the challenges of rallying

Rallying is about racing against time, terrain, weather and sometimes your own instincts. With no pit stops and seldom a perfect surface, it’s just you, your co-driver, and a road that’s never the same twice.

From sunshine to foggy conditions, sliding through gravel, snow and maybe even a river, it’s controlled chaos across constantly shifting landscapes. The off-roading sport is brutal in its demands.

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And it’s no surprise that Martins Sesks, a third-generation rally driver, calls it “one of the most difficult sports of motor racing”.

But for the Latvian, challenges are part of his routine now – “I think that’s one of the reasons why I chose rallying.”

On the right path

Born into a motorsport family, Sesks didn’t feel pressured to follow the same path. But his passion for rallying took off early. With a rally driver father actively involved in the sport, it seemed only natural.

“I had people in my family who could give me tips, guide me through my early career, and help me minimise mistakes,” Sesks told Sportstar. And he took those lessons to heart and began his ascent.

From the Junior World Rally Championship to a standout run in the European Rally Championship (ERC) with Team MRF Tyres, his progress was swift.

In 2022, he dominated his home ERC round in Latvia, winning all 12 stages – a feat previously achieved only by nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb. “That was a turning point,” Sesks recalls.

“We became vice-champions in ERC, and then, in 2023, the next step felt natural,” said the 25-year-old, who soon made his way to the sport’s pinnacle, the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The world stage

In 2024, Sesks entered the top-tier WRC category, driving select rounds with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team. But his four-race maiden season was about building experience and preparing for tougher tasks.

He impressed with strong showings in Poland, Latvia, and Chile. A fifth-place finish in Poland and two stage wins in his hometown showcased his potential, though a technical fault on the final stage cost him a podium.

But the lessons from that debut year reinforced the importance of staying grounded. “Once you get there, it’s about being consistent. It’s an everyday job – you wake up and drive rally cars to secure your seat and your potential driving contract for the years to come,” Sesks said.

“Everyone’s plan and dream is to become a world champion, but you have to be realistic. For me, it’s just to stabilise here and then capitalise on my driving.”

Staying true to his roots

In 2025, Sesks returns with six races on his calendar – with Sweden done, Portugal is up next, followed by Sardinia, Greece, Estonia, and Finland. Notably absent is his home race this time around – he was the first Latvian driver in a Latvian event in the WRC.

His record-breaking win here a couple of years ago was a huge confidence boost, made even more special by an incredible home fan base.

While Sesks relishes the ‘challenge’ of racing abroad, his home event still holds a special place in the hearts of both him and his former team, now supporter, MRF. “That’s when people saw the potential in our collaboration with MRF.”

MRF’s rallying legacy

Sesks’ collaboration with MRF isn’t just a strategic move in his racing career – it also ties him to a rallying legacy that started thousands of kilometres away. His journey is intertwined with MRF, a company that has been a strong presence in his career.

Although Sesks helped MRF reach new heights internationally, the tyre giant’s legacy adds depth to his story and reflects the growing strength of rallying in India.

MRF’s journey began in the 1970s, deep within India’s nascent motorsport culture. The Chennai-based tyre manufacturer dominated the domestic rally scene before expanding into international events like the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and ERC.

As MRF expanded into international competitions, one of its most defining partnerships came with Gaurav Gill, India’s most successful rally driver. Gill’s multiple APRC championships with MRF helped elevate the brand internationally.

“It’s all about R&D and smart marketing – that puts you ahead of the pack,” Gill said, highlighting the importance of development in MRF’s success.

Despite its global success, however, Indian rallying faces ongoing challenges, which are reflected in the struggles of its homegrown talent. Even as MRF found traction globally, Indian drivers have continued to grapple with a different reality.

The divide in Indian rallying 

The contrast between the brand’s international success and the struggles of its local talent is stark.

And it is a fact that resonates with Gill himself, who was part of MRF’s entry into WRC2, the support championship, back in 2018. “In this country, to be fair, money, budgets, and costs are on a different level,” the 43-year-old told Sportstar.

“A four-day rally costs almost the same as a 12-day Dakar. And F1? That’s 10 times more,” Gill points out. “The talent pool is strong – it’s the infrastructure and international exposure we’re still catching up on,” he said.

These ongoing struggles in Indian rallying mirror the personal challenges Sesks faces in his career.

The road ahead

Sesks remains hopeful – not just about rallying, but also about India’s role in its future. In March, he came to the country to work with GM Motorsports and MRF on a car tailored for both local and global events.

“I’m really excited about the goal – a fast, reliable, Indian-made rally car that’s competitive internationally. We’ve been testing its performance, durability, and everything in between,” he said.

For Sesks, the road ahead isn’t just about navigating through rally stages but also about contributing to the global growth of the sport he loves.

As he and MRF continue to push boundaries, they are carving out their space in one of motorsport’s most demanding disciplines – one unpredictable stretch at a time.