Twice world champion Carlos Sainz will once again partner Colin McRae in next year's World Rally Championship after he signed a new one-year deal with Ford. Sainz and McRae have been partners for two years and next season, they will also be joined by promising Estonian driver Markko Martin, who has just signed for Ford from Subaru. The 25-year-old will compete in all 14 rounds of next year's series in a third Focus WRC.
Both Sainz and McRae are in contention for this year's drivers' championship, with Sainz just seven points behind joint leader McRae. There are just two rounds remaining in Australia and Britain.
"I'm very happy with Ford, M-Sport and the team as a whole and remain convinced we're going to be very competitive next year with the Focus World Rally Car," said Sainz. "There are exciting developments with the 2002 car and I believe the potential is there for more improvements to make another strong challenge for the world title."
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
