M-Sport Ford World Rally team's Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia secured their sixth FIA World Rally Championship for drivers and co-drivers last weekend, coming out on top after a dramatic final-day showdown that brought the season to a close at Rally Australia.

Heading into the championship with a three-point lead over Thierry Neuville and a 23-point advantage over former team-mate Ott Tänak, Ogier knew what he had to do – keep Neuville behind and finish at least sixth overall. Six was the magic number.

Combatting some of the loosest gravel of the year, the M-Sport man had his work cut out but remained calm under pressure and was doing exactly what he needed to do when torrential rain brought some exceptionally tough conditions over the closing stages.

That put the pressure firmly on the shoulders of Ogier’s rivals and, one by one, Neuville and Tänak hit trouble – each caught out by the treacherous conditions while having to push hard through the slippery, rain-soaked stages.

With his rivals out of the running and scoring no points as a result, there was only one outcome – Ogier and Ingrassia were champions; defending the crowns they secured with M-Sport and the Ford Fiesta WRC 12 months previous.

The result was the perfect way for the team to say farewell to their world champions after two very special and successful years together – a privately-owned team from Cockermouth succeeding against the might of three of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers.

"It was an emotional day and I can tell you that this championship really does mean a lot," said team principal Malcolm Wilson at the podium celebrations on Sunday.

"Two months ago, it wasn’t looking good and we thought it would be difficult to secure the championship this year, 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 was also quick to praise his Cumbrian team for their hard work, passion and determination throughout what has been an amazingly intense season.

"It’s been an incredible year 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," he said.

"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 last two years has been really special, and I am very proud."

A popular figure in the team, co-driver Ingrassia was also quick to thank the Cumbrians – looking back with pride over all they achieved together before joining the team for the celebrations that evening.

"We had a beautiful journey with M-Sport over these two years, and everything we achieved, we achieved together," he said.

"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, but we gave it everything to achieve this amazing result… and had an amazing party to celebrate, too!"