NGK-sponsored M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s reigning World champions Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are back on top of the 2018 championship leader board going in to the final event of the season.

The five-time champions took their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC car to second place at RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España, missing out on victory by a mere 2.9 seconds while team-mates Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt secured third place by just 0.5 seconds.

Ogier and Ingrassia now have a slender three-point lead going into the final round in Australia on November 15 with the M-Sport team in third position in the manufacturers’ championship.

Team principal Malcolm Wilson OBE said, “This one really is going down to the wire, and we’re going to see a thrilling finale in Australia. We’re enjoying a fantastic era in the sport and the true winners are the fans!”

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs said, “It was a great performance by the team in Spain and it really couldn’t be a more exciting end to the season as we go in to the final race of the season. Everyone at NGK wishes Sébastien and Julien the best of luck in Australia.”