Photo Credit: M-Sport This morning M-Sport revealed that their line up for the 2016 World Rally Championship season is Mads Ostberg and Eric Camilli, meaning neither of the 2015 drivers Elfyn Evans and Ott Tanak have retained their place within the main team. Norwegian Ostberg who finished 4th in the championship in 2015 is the proven force, whilst Eric Camilli's appointment was a calculated gamble, to give an unproven driver his chance to shine. I have to say I was quite surprised to learn of his addition to the team. Ott Tanak has signed for the DMACK, but Evans' position is still unclear, but it is understood the team are in discussions with him. Mads, who is returning to M-Sport after two years with Citroen, said: “I am really looking forward to the season ahead and honoured to have been welcomed back into the M-Sport team. The Ford Fiesta RS WRC has formed a big part of my career and it’s a nice feeling to be heading back to a team where I have achieved a lot of success in the past. “Loose-surface rallies are my favourite, and we saw this year that the new Fiesta can be very competitive on gravel. Our first aim will be to get up to speed and challenge for strong results. Sweden is obviously a real highlight for me – and one that I will be targeting – but I think we can also be very competitive on a lot of events that follow." Frenchman Eric Camilli, 28, who has only ever contested 10 WRC rounds to date, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for me and I am extremely proud to join the M-Sport team in 2016. I can’t wait to get started. We’ll have our first test this week and I’m really looking forward to getting to know the team and the car. “I have only contested a few WRC events so I recognise that I am extremely lucky to have been given this opportunity. Malcolm is such a big part of the WRC so his confidence and faith in me really does mean a lot; it’s very special. Team Principal Malcolm Wilson was also full of hope and enthusiasm: "With Mads and Eric I think we have a very strong team going into 2016. Mads is a proven podium contender and one of the most consistently quick drivers in the championship. As for Eric, I honestly can’t remember the last time that I was this excited about a new driver. “A lot of thought has gone into our driver signings and I think a very exciting season lies ahead. The team are more motivated than ever and we are all looking forward to discovering what success our new signings can deliver.” Personally, I think the appointment of Mads Ostberg was brilliant but Eric Camilli remains a massive question mark. M-Sport clearly felt they needed to take a gamble to produce an absolute gem rather than stick with Elfyn Evans. I suppose they don't really have much to lose as Ostberg looks like the safe points and pace outlet, but I can't help but feel sorry for Evans as he has made definite progress in 2015, despite an elongated mid-season blip. He may of course still be in the team's plans, but I hope for their sake that Eric Camilli is all they believe him to be.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
WRCArticles covering the World Rally Championship Archives
January 2018
Categories |