World Rally Champion Seb Ogier has been evaluating M-Sport Team’s Ford Fiesta WRC in Wales, writes Gary Jones.
The four-time WRC driver and co-driver Julien Ingrassia put the camouflaged car through its paces in Walters Arena, Rheola above Glynneath.
The test-drive came about after his WRC winning Volkswagen team announced its withdrawal from the series it has dominated in recent years and as a result of a need to cut costs in the wake of its diesel deceit around the world.
Ogier was left without a drive for next season and has been talking to a number of teams but the most promising is M-Sport.
Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia arrived with M-Sport team principal Malcolm Wilson and spent a morning evaluating and adjusting the car’s set up.
As well as Wilson, M-Sport’s technical director Christian Loriaux was present, as was Ott Tanak – who could well be the Frenchman’s team-mate if he joins the Cumbrian squad for next season.
The crew reccied the stage in a road car before some quick circuits in the prototype WRC model and seemed very happy with the outcome, but there has been no official comment from the team about the testing or future partnership.