The NGK-backed M-Sport Ford World Rally Team has got off to a winning start at the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo.

The team is already leading the FIA World Rally Championships for manufacturers, drivers and co-drivers courtesy of a sixth Rallye Monte-Carlo victory for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia and a resurgent fight-back to sixth place for Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt.

NGK Spark Plugs is a partner of the team whose EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC cars are fitted with NGK spark plugs and NTK Lambda sensors.

Current and five-time World Rally Champions Ogier and Ingrassia led from start to finish to secure a fifth consecutive victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo as they began their championship defence.
Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt picked up a puncture on the very first stage, losing more than three minutes to the leading pack, but fought their way from 16th to sixth position. Bryan Bouffier and Xavier Panseri also impressed in difficult circumstances.

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs said, “It has been a great start by the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team and I’m sure our customers who are devoted rally fans will be following the team as they fight to retain the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles over the course of what is sure to be a thrilling season.”