Sébastien Ogier joins M-Sport for 2017

End of suspense for Sébastien Ogier. Since the announcement of the end of the Volkswagen Motorsport program, the future of the Gap native remained unclear. In discussions with Toyota et M-Sport, the world champion had tried the Yaris and Fiesta to realize the possibilities at his disposal for the next campaign of the WRC. It was finally this Monday, a few days after presenting its Fiesta, that M-Sport confirmed the recruitment of the Frenchman for 2017

"There isn't much time before we line up at the start of the Rally Monte Carlo and we didn't have much time to drive the Ford Fiesta WRC, but we will do our best to be ready, comments Ogier. We recognize the challenge, and I can see how hungry Malcolm Wilson and his team are for success.

It's funny to think that a few months ago I was at a forum at Wales Rally GB talking about how great it would be to work with him one day. I didn't know at the time that it would come so soon, but here we are. I look forward to working with M-Sport, and we will clearly aim to get them back to the top step of the podium. »

The Frenchman will team up with the Estonian Ott Tänak, who returns to M-Sport training, after a season spent with Team Dmack. Tänak also changes co-driver, Raigo Molder being replaced by Martin Järveoja.

“We will start Monte-Carlo with number 1 in the Ford Fiesta WRC and with the best duo we have had in years, underlines Malcolm Wilson. We believe we have produced an excellent car, and we are in the best possible position heading into this exciting new era.

It was no secret that we wanted to work with Sébastien and Julien. It’s fantastic to welcome them to the team. We have worked very hard to sign them, and they feel that the Ford Fiesta WRC is the car with which they can best defend their title. »

It now remains to be seen the future of Eric Camilli, who played for M-Sport this season.

Find all the details of Sébastien Ogier's signing at M-Sport, in AUTO issue 2093hebdo, available from 22 p.m. this evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.