Jari-Matti Latvala is to drive for Volkswagen as the manufacturer attempts to make its mark on next year's World Rally Championship.
Latvala has not taken long to secure himself a new drive after five years with Ford, who announced on Monday they would no longer support a works team in the WRC.
The 27-year-old Finn, who has won seven rallies and finished runner-up to Sebastien Loeb in the 2010 championship standings, joins Sebastien Ogier in driving the impressive-looking Polo R.
Speaking on the team website, Latvala said: "The determined approach of the Volkswagen team convinced me to accept this challenge.
"The time at Ford was very valuable for me and I would like to thank everyone who supported me there in the past years. It wasn't easy for me to say goodbye.
"At the same time, I see the change as a personal new beginning. I've taken this decision in order to make another step towards reaching my big aim: the world champion's title with Volkswagen."
Latvala has every opportunity of being crowned champion next season given Loeb's decision recently to step into semi-retirement after a record-breaking nine successive titles.
