M-Sport's Ford World Rally team’s Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia secured their sixth FIA World Rally Championship for drivers and co-drivers, coming out on top after a dramatic final-day showdown at Kennards Hire Rally Australia.

This year’s championship has been the most exciting in years, but Ogier, Ingrassia and M-Sport produced something special once again – speed, determination and outstanding team spirit all contributing to another very successful year for the Cumbrian Dovenby-based squad.

Team principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “It’s been an emotional day and I can tell you that this championship really does mean a lot.

“Two months ago it wasn’t looking good, but when you have Sébastien and Julien in your team, you know that anything is possible.

“The way they fought back over the last three events was incredible and I am so proud of all we have achieved together.

“We will certainly miss them next year but this was a proper team effort and I have to say that every single member of the team played their part in the result.

“I would also like to congratulate Ott and Thierry on such a fantastic championship battle over the course of the season.

“We know first-hand how competitive they are and it really was a pleasure to watch the world’s three best drivers do battle right down to the wire.

"The sport is in fantastic shape at the moment, and I think everyone involved should be proud.”

Ogier said: "It’s been an incredible season and the fight has been so close.

“Not so long ago, we thought it was going to be difficult to take the title again, but we never gave up.

“We gave it everything and had such an amazing team around us. I am so proud of all of them and, of course, I want to thank Malcolm for another amazing job.

“What we achieved together over the past two years has been really special, and I am very proud of that.”

Ingrassia added: “We had a beautiful journey with M-Sport over these two years and everything we achieved we achieved together.

“We wanted to end our time with Malcolm and the team in a special way, and that is what we did.

"There have been a lot of ups and downs during the season and the rally, and we gave it everything to achieve this amazing result.

“Hopefully, I have a little energy left to celebrate with the team tonight!”