The 1:43 die-cast by IXO Models captures one of the defining entries of the final Fiesta WRC generation: car No. 3, carrying Teemu Suninen and new co-driver Marko Markkula at the first round of the 2021 FIA World Rally Championship. This was also the first competitive outing for the Suninen–Markkula partnership, making the specific event and chassis number significant beyond the race result alone.
The 2017-spec Fiesta WRC: M-Sport's Widebody Era
The Ford Fiesta WRC built under the WRC 2017 technical regulations represented a step-change over its predecessor. M-Sport engineered the car around the Mk7 Fiesta shell, fitting a 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost-derived inline-four producing approximately 380 bhp, mounted mid-car and driving all four wheels through a paddle-shift sequential gearbox. The wider bodykit and enlarged aerodynamic elements were mandated by the new FIA regulations, giving the car a substantially more aggressive silhouette than the previous generation. The Fiesta WRC remained M-Sport's frontline weapon through the 2021 season before being replaced by the Puma Rally1 for 2022.
Rallye Monte-Carlo 2021: Season Opener, New Partnership
The 2021 Rallye Monte-Carlo, held 21–24 January and based out of Gap and Monaco, was the opening round of the 2021 FIA World Rally Championship. Teemu Suninen lined up as a factory M-Sport Ford driver carrying race number 3, paired for the first time with co-driver Marko Markkula after longtime co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen retired from the sport. The Suninen–Markkula entry ran in the M-Sport red, white and blue livery with Ford oval branding and Pirelli markings. The event was won by Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in a Toyota GR Yaris WRC. Suninen and Markkula were classified as a retirement from the event.
IXO Models and the 1:43 Scale Model
IXO Models is one of the most prolific producers of 1:43 WRC die-cast models, covering official rally entries across multiple seasons with consistent livery accuracy. This model reproduces the No. 3 M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC in die-cast metal at 1:43 scale, capturing the 2021 Monte Carlo specification including the period-correct red, white and blue M-Sport colour scheme and sponsor graphics. The die-cast construction delivers the solidity and weight characteristic of the format, well-suited to open display or a closed cabinet.
In the Display Cabinet
This IXO 1:43 sits naturally alongside other 2021 WRC season entries: Gus Greensmith's M-Sport Fiesta from the same year makes a direct teammate pair, while the Sébastien Ogier Toyota GR Yaris that won the 2021 Monte Carlo provides a direct event rival. For collectors focused on Finnish WRC drivers, earlier Suninen entries from 2019–2020 with co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen round out the career arc. The model also anchors a broader Fiesta WRC generation display, bookended by the Ford Puma Rally1 that took over from 2022 onwards.
Frequently asked questions
What rally and year does this model represent?
It represents the Ford Fiesta WRC No. 3 entered by M-Sport Ford at the 2021 Rally Monte Carlo, the opening round of the 2021 FIA World Rally Championship, held 21–24 January 2021.
Who drove car No. 3 at the 2021 Rally Monte Carlo?
Teemu Suninen (Finland) drove, with Marko Markkula as co-driver. It was the first competitive event for the Suninen–Markkula partnership, after Suninen's previous co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen retired from the sport.
What material is the model made from?
The IXO Models replica is made from die-cast metal.
Why is the 2017-spec Ford Fiesta WRC historically significant?
The Fiesta WRC built to the 2017 FIA World Rally Car regulations was M-Sport Ford's frontline car from 2017 through 2021. It was retired at the end of the 2021 season when M-Sport switched to the Ford Puma Rally1, making it the final M-Sport Ford WRC car under the previous technical regulations.
