Benjamin Veillas and Éric Camilli will be joined by Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula this year.

Both crews will take to the wheel of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5 for campaigns in the FIA World Rally Championship’s principal support series – WRC 2.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: "From as early as 2002, we have actively strived to create exciting opportunities for talented youngsters at all levels of the sport.

"This year, we will be fielding two cars in the WRC 2 category and I believe that we have two exceptionally strong candidates in both Éric and Teemu."

Both Fiestas will carry liveries that draw inspiration from the geometric ‘disguise’ livery, which adorned the all-new Ford Fiesta WRC test car and forms the base designs for M-Sport’s lead drivers – Sébastien Ogier and Ott Tänak.

Having amassed 159 victories across 29 different countries, the Fiesta R5 secured more individual wins than any other R5 in 2016.

With the highest reliability rating to boot, this combination of performance and durability makes the Fiesta the ideal choice for competitors around the globe.

Pairing the Fiesta’s strengths with two exceptionally talented crews, the team are putting their best foot forward to challenge throughout all levels of, what looks set to be, an exciting new era of world rallying.

Starting at Rallye Monte-Carlo, Camilli and Veillas will contest a full WRC 2 campaign with an opportunity for further outings as the season progresses.

The Frenchman’s story is one of an incredible rise through the rallying ranks, which saw him take to the wheel of M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta RS WRC last year.

Despite a season of highs and lows, the Frenchman showed real potential – claiming a maiden stage victory on what was only his sixth outing in a world rally car and 12th ever appearance on gravel.

That potential has prompted M-Sport to keep the Frenchman on as an integral part of the team and he will contest a series of events to gain the vital experience required to further his development.

"The important thing for me this year is to continue to gain as much experience of as many FIA World Rally Championship events as possible," said Camilli.

"In rallying, experience is everything and it will be really important for me to continue this progression.

"When you see the drivers who will compete in the WRC 2 category at Rallye Monte-Carlo, it is very impressive."