Ogier Ready For Title Defence With M-Sport

Ogier Ready For Title Defence With M-Sport

- David Evans

Sebastien Ogier has ended months of speculation with the confirmation that he will defend his World Rally Championship title with M-Sport next season, and it’s a deal that may bring additional support from Ford to the team.

The Frenchman’s future was confirmed by the Cumbrian squad yesterday (Tuesday) and he will begin testing the 2018 Ford Fiesta WRC for the Monte Carlo Rally in the middle of next month.

The negotiations with M-Sport have taken longer than either party would have liked, but both sides are happy with the outcome and the continuation of what’s been the most successful partnership of the 2017 season.

M-Sport team principal Malcolm Wilson told MN: “This news is definitely worth waiting for. I’m over the moon that we’ve got Seb and Julien [Ingrassia, co-driver] with us again next year. The negotiations have taken a while, maybe even longer than last season, but we’ve put everything in order. I’ll be honest, negotiating with Sebastien’s a very straightforward process: he told us what he wanted and we had to find a way to get there.”

Wilson also confirmed Elfyn Evans remains with M-Sport, driving a Michelin-shod Ford Fiesta WRC. The second part of the team’s driver announcement will come next month or at the launch of the World Rally Championship at Autosport International in January.