M-Sport's dream team for 2017: Ogier and Tanak


December 13, 2016
Featured, News
Marijan Malcevic


  • Sebastien Ogier, Ott Tanak
  • Sebastien Ogier
  • Ott Tanak, M-Sport
  • 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC

The biggest dilemma (or trilemma) for the 2017 World Rally Championship season is resolved – Sebastien Ogier lands to the M-Sport World Rally Team. The four-time world rally champion is joining the British team to drive the #1 Ford Fiesta WRC alongside his longtime navigator Julien Ingrassia.

But, it isn’t all from M-Sport because Malcolm Wilson hired one more superstar to create a Dream Team for 2017. The Estonian Ott Tanak, the Driver of the Year voted by wrc.com fans, is returning to M-Sport, for the third time in his career. He was previously driving under Wilson’s guidance in 2012 and 2015. Tanak’s new co-driver would be his compatriot Martin Järveoja. They competed together in few events back in 2013. Since 2009, Järveoja was a mostly a navigator for Karl Kruuda.

2017 Ford Fiesta WRC

2017 Ford Fiesta WRC

“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. 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. 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!” said Ogier.

Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport Managing Director, added: “We go to Rallye Monte-Carlo with the number 1 on the door of the Ford Fiesta WRC and the strongest driver line-up we have had in years. To say we’re excited about next season is an understatement. We believe that we have produced an exceptional car, and we are in the best possible position ahead of this exciting new era. 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. 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.”

Photos: wrc.com, m-sport.co.uk,

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