Victor Henriksson wins Fiesta SportingTrophy Shootout.

M-Sport, organisers of the Fiesta SportingTrophy International series, have chosen Swedish driver Victor Henriksson as the winner of the FSTi Shootout.

The Shootout placed 24 Fiesta SportingTrophy competitors from around the world head-to-head in a series of tests in and around M-Sport’s Cockermouth base.

After two days of gruelling psychological, physical, media and driving tests six finalists were chosen to face M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson in a final interview to determine the winner.

The six short-listed competitors included Barry Clark from the FST International, Chris Moore from FST UK, Victor Henriksson from FST Sweden, Raphael Auquier from FST Belgium, Daghan Unludogan from FST Turkey and Sveinung Bieldvedt from FST Norway.

"The level of the top competitors was so close that we could only narrow it down to a final six rather than a final five," said M-Sport boss, Malcolm Wilson. "Victor impressed on both days. He is only 18 yet he displayed maturity beyond his years over the tests and was the most impressive in the interview."

Henriksson, who earned his place in the Shooutout as the wildcard entry for his home Swedish Fiesta SportingTrophy, wins a 12 month contract with M-Sport. This will encompass various roles pursuant to developing his rallying skills, including shakedown runs in the Ford Focus RS WRC and Ford Fiesta S1600, 12 months use of an apartment at Cockermouth, personal training programme and attendance on European WRC events working with the team.

"It was a big thing for me to be chosen as the Swedish Wildcard and come to M-Sport, but to be chosen as the winner is absolutely amazing," said Henriksson. "The physiological and physical tests were great fun, but to be interviewed by Malcolm Wilson was such a big thing for me. I’m really looking forward to next year, it’s the perfect Christmas present."

Victor Henriksson will start his 12-month contract with M-Sport in the New Year.

- Fiesta SportingTrophy, Stella Boyles -