Four-time world rally champion Sebastien Ogier will drive for the M-Sport Ford team in the 2017 championship after Volkswagen’s shock exit.
As well as four consecutive world titles from 2013 to 2016, the Frenchman has won 38 rallies at the highest level.
“There will be a lot of new things this season, but I am definitely looking forward to it. We have a new generation of world rally cars and a new team, it’s certainly an exciting time,” Ogier, 32, said on Monday.
Ogier tested the new Ford Fiesta after the Rally of Great Britain, which he won, and was left searching for a new drive after Volkswagen decided to end its hugely successful rallying programme.
“There’s not long before we line up at the start of Rallye Monte-Carlo and we’ve not had a lot of seat time with the Ford Fiesta WRC, but we’ll give it our best to be ready,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to working with M-Sport and we’ll certainly be aiming to return them to the top-step of the podium.”
The second driver for British-based M-Sport will be 29-year-old Estonian Ott Tanak.
The new season gets under way in Monte Carlo in January. – Agence France-Presse
