Mads Ostberg has completed a deal to stay in the Ford stable for the 2012 World Rally Championship.
The Norwegian raced in M-Sport Stobart colors last season, driving a Ford in the WRC's top class for the first time after starting his career in private Subarus.
Ostberg made a spectacular start to 2011 by leading the season opener in Sweden and finishing second to works Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen. He took another podium in Great Britain and ended the year sixth in the championship.
Although he had been linked with a change of machinery for 2012, Ostberg has announced that he will stick with a Ford run in collaboration with M-Sport, although the exact nature of his team setup has not yet been revealed.
"It has been important for me to continue the development from 2011 with a good program, a competitive car and open possibilities to compete for a best possible result every time," said Ostberg. "All elements have been accomplished with this agreement."
Ostberg will skip round one in Monte Carlo for budget reasons before starting his campaign in Sweden. He then expects to contest every round except New Zealand.