NGK-sponsored M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have missed out on victory at the Rally Italia Sardegna by the smallest of margins, with less than a second separating their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC from the top-step of the podium.

It took the competing crews three hours, 28 minutes and 18.7 seconds to complete 314.36 kilometres of gruelling special stage terrain. Yet come the end of the rally, five-time World Champion Ogier finished just 0.7 seconds behind the winner Thierry Neuville.

However, the Frenchman was not disheartened and by taking good points and in second place in the overall standings he is still in strong championship contention.

Ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs is a partner of the team whose cars are fitted with NGK spark plugs and NTK Lambda sensors. Team principal Malcolm Wilson said, "This is a day that rally fans will remember for a very long time. It was an incredible battle and fantastic for the sport, but obviously a little gutting to have missed out by such a small margin. At the end of the day, Sébastien delivered a fantastic performance.”

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs said, "What an incredible rally. It was the joint third closest finish in FIA World Rally Championship history and must have thrilled our many customers who are WRC fans. It’s all set up nicely for the rest of the season.”