Question marks remain over Ogier’s deal for 2018 season

Last week’s Rally of Spain offered Sebastien Ogier a week away from near constant negotiations about his future employment in the championship. This week, he’s back on the telephone and back doing the talking to find the right deal for 2018.

He remains in negotiation with current team M-sport, Citroen and Hyundai. MN’S sources in Spain say he is increasingly likely to remain with the Cumbrian team, or possibly even retire from rallying altogether.

French media has reported Citroen won’t have the budget to bring him back to the Paris-based squad and Hyundai – despite rumours of a €10m (£8.9m) bid to land the four-time champion – has yet to even come up with a sensible offer.

Hyundai team principal Michel Nandan did, however, finally admit to interest in Ogier, saying: “A guy like him is quite useful when you see what he can do. A lot of teams want him, after we have to see if we can have him or manage him. It’s not always easy to do what you want, unfortunately.”

M-sport team principal Malcolm Wilson said: “Negotiations are ongoing and I feel we have a strong case. We’ve got a lot of development coming on the car, specifically in the engine and aero areas – we’re not standing still here, our car will take another step forward in time for Monte next year and we’d like Seb to be driving it.”