Sebasiten Ogier signs up with Ford for 2017 WRC season

Following Volkswagen's departure from the Word Rally Championship, it left defending champ and four-time title holder Sebastien Ogier searching for a drive for 2017.

Wanting to stay in the series, the Frenchman has just signed with M-Sport, Ford's factory supported team for the WRC. Headed by Malcom Wilson, the team boss of Ford M-Sport, Ogier will be paired with Ott Tanak next season. Ford Fiesta WRC

Before signing up with the team, Ogier was beginning to explore his options with other teams, namely the newly formed Toyota Gazoo WRC team led by Tommi Makinen. With Ogier on board, the Ford M-Sport rally team also welcomes Julien Ingrassia, the defending champion's co-driver for the past four years. Meanwhile Ogier's former team mate, Jari-Matti Latvala, has reportedly signed with Toyota.

"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,” said Ogier. Ogier also said that he is confident that he can bring Ford back to the top step of the podium with Wilson's team. The last time Ford won a round in WRC was back in 2012 with Jari-Matti Latvala in Rally GB.

He adds, “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. We're aware of the challenges, and I can see how hungry Malcolm Wilson and his team are for success. It's funny to think that just a few months ago I was sitting at a motorsport forum at Wales Rally GB saying how nice it would be to work with him one day”.