WRC: All-new M-Sport driver lineup for '16

Mads Ostberg has been confirmed as an M-Sport driver for the 2016 World Rally Championship, with Frenchman Eric Camilli a surprise choice of teammate.

Elfyn Evans has been dropped from a full-time factoy seat, while Ott Tanak switches to DMACK's new team. Ostberg returns to an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS WRC after two years at Citroen.

"I am really looking forward to the season ahead and honoured to have been welcomed back into the M-Sport team," said Ostberg, whose only WRC win so far was in a Fiesta run under the Adapta banner in Portugal in 2012. "The Ford Fiesta RS WRC has formed a big part of my career and it's a nice feeling to be heading back to a team where I have achieved a lot of success in the past."

Having viewed M-Sport's latest-specification Ford from afar this season, Ostberg is excited to test the car for the first time this week.

"Loose-surface rallies are my favorite and we saw this year that the new Fiesta can be very competitive on gravel," he said. "Our first aim will be to get up to speed and challenge for strong results.

"Sweden is obviously a real highlight for me and one that I will be targeting, but I think we can also be very competitive on a lot of events that follow.

"I've changed my driving style over the past two years, so it will be interesting to see how that works with the Fiesta and whether or not I'll have to go back to my previous style."

M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson added: "Mads is a proven podium contender and one of the most consistently quick drivers in the championship.

"We know what Mads is capable of and I believe he has the ability to put M-Sport and Ford back on the top step of the podium next year. There are a number of events in which he can challenge for victory and that has to be our aim for the season ahead."

While the signing of Camilli (LEFT) comes as a surprise, Wilson has great confidence in the 28-year-old World Rally Car debutant, who arrives from Toyota Motorsport and a test role in the Cologne-built Yaris WRC.

"I honestly can't remember the last time that I was this excited about a new driver," said Wilson. "Eric's WRC experience is limited, but I truly believe that he has all the makings of a future world champion. He has already proven how quickly he can adapt to new cars and new events and I think his progression will be swift. A lot of thought has gone into our driver signings and I think a very exciting season lies ahead."

Camilli has most recently competed in a private R5 Fiesta in WRC2. Monte Carlo next month will only be his 11th WRC start.

"This is an amazing opportunity for me," he said.

Originally on Autosport.com