New M-Sport team principal Richard Millener insists there is no reason the team cannot continue at the same level as in 2018 despite losing six time World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier to rivals Citroën this year.
Millener has stepped into the role previously occupied by team owner Malcolm Wilson, who now holds the position of CEO.
It is among several changes at M-Sport, which delayed confirming its entry in the 2019 championship amid financial issues after Ogier left. But, speaking last week, Millener admitted that M-Sport had to be "realistic" about their campaign, but still expects the Cumbrian squad to win rallies.
"We've still got the car that's just won two World Championships and we’ve got two drivers, Elfyn's won a rally, Teemu is on his way up,” said Millener.
"Despite Ogier leaving us, there is no reason that we can't operate at the level we did in the last two years because when Seb came to us I think we were all a little bit worried that we weren't where we needed to be as a team. And by the end of the two years I think we realised we were pretty much where we need to be. In reality there is nothing that we can't do again that we've done the last two years."
Wilson agreed, saying that stability in some areas was helping M-Sport to build a stronger team going forwards so that they don’t need to rely on one star.
"We've worked with Elfyn now for several years and he won an event,” added Wilson. “So a lot of pressure is on Elfyn's shoulders this year because he wants to take a step up and have a permanent place in WRC. And then I've got great confidence in Teemu although he's [only] done very few events."
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