M-SPORT DAVID EVANS

GROUP RALLYING EDITOR “There needs to be consistency in WRX”

looking in. Working with him – albeit just for a few hours – had clearly lived up to expectations.

Wilson added: “People had told me before, how straightforward and easy he was to work with and that’s just how I found him. I was really pleased with the respect shown from him and Julien [Ingrassia, co-driver] and our guys. It’s very easy to see why the pair of them are where they are as four-time world champions – they’re so professional, but they make everything easy. It was an absolute pleasure to work with them.”

And making changes to the car was key to Ogier’s understanding .

Wilson said: “The car started the test in the same set-up it had been when Ott [Tanak] was driving it yesterday [Thursday]. Seb drove it like that, then came back and made some changes – he was keen to see how the car felt when he’d made some specific changes.

“Watching from the outside, I have to say: wow! It was the same when I was watching Ott. I hadn’t been to a test for a while and seeing it running again, oh my goodness me! All I’ll say is that rally fans around the world are in for a treat.”

And are M-sport fans in for a treat with Ogier installed behind the wheel of the Fiesta for a season or more? With news of the test still just a day old, the rumour mill moved into overdrive with speculation of a single-season agreement being announced today [Wednesday].

“Like I said, we’re not going to talk any more about that,” said Wilson. “He got a good kick of the ball, but now it’s back to the discussions.”

Asked to describe his feelings at seeing Ogier in his car, he added: “It was great, but all we did today was put some of the ingredients together; getting a deal sorted would be the cake and the icing on the cake would be to see him and Julien in the car next year.

“What I will say is that I was determined to make this happen before, but after seeing them in the car, I’m more determined than ever.”

Last Friday, bargains were being made all around the world, but it remains to be seen if Wilson and Ogier bagged themselves a Black Friday deal to remember.