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M-Sport closes on manufacturers' title

M-Sport World Rally Team is within touching distance of securing its first manufacturers' world title since 2007.

The British squad starts Sunday's final leg at RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España, set for a major points haul.

Sébastien Ogier and Ott Tänak occupy second and third positions respectively in their Ford Fiestas, with closest rival Hyundai Motorsport struggling for points after a double retirement on Saturday.

If positions remain as they are, then M-Sport would be just four points shy of sealing its first title since Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen lifted the crown for Ford.

The permutations are complex, but M-Sport would be guaranteed the title if it scores 23 points more than the Korean manufacturer in Spain.

It is currently on target to score 19 points more, but any major changes to the leaderboard during Sunday's final leg could see the British squad celebrating.

Ogier restarts only 13sec behind Kris Meeke, with Tänak a further 1.5sec adrift. If either driver overhauls the Citroën pilot, and both remain in the top three, it would be enough to seal the crown.

Zdroj: wrc.com