WRC: Ogier, Tanak confirmed at M-Sport

M-Sport has confirmed reigning FIA World Rally champion Sebastien Ogier and WRC Drive of the Year Ott Tänak as its drivers in the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship, as the team enters a new era with Ecoboost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs.

Ogier, who was released from his Volkswagen contract after VW pulled out of WRC, was impressive in testing for M-Sport in late November, driving the Ford in the Walter's Arena section of the Rheola stage in Wales. Lining up alongside Ogier and Ingrassia is Tänak and new co-driver Martin Järveoja.

"I've made no secret of how much we wanted to work with Sebastien and Julien, and it is fantastic to welcome them to the team," said M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson. "We have worked extremely hard to secure them, and they believe that the Ford Fiesta WRC is the car with which they can best defend their championship.

"With Ott and Martin lining up alongside them, we are in for one hell of a season. Ott has had a very impressive year with consistent speed. He's played a major role in the development of the new car, and I'm sure that the elusive first victory isn't too far away."

Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia have four world championships, 38 wins, 56 podiums and 475 stage wins since starting in the WRC in 2008.

"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 [Malcom] one day," Ogier said. "I had no idea at the time that it would come quite so soon, but here we are!

"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."

Tänak, who scored two second-place finishes and 30 stage wins on gravel (surpassed only by Ogier), had a hand in testing the new Ford Fiesta WRC and calls the car "a massive step forward."

"This is the first time that I've had a hand in developing a new car completely from scratch and it's been great to work with the engineers," Tänak said. "I have a long history with M-Sport. They know how to build a competitive car and we've all worked together to produce something we hope will be quite special.

"The power is insane, and almost every aspect of the car has been completely redesigned. At first, I thought the increased power would make it a bit of a handful, but the guys have done such a good job. Every component works together to give incredible control – it really is the full package."

News of other crews in M-Sport's driving team will be revealed soon. The season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo will be held Jan. 19-22.