M-sport confirm new sponsorship

The future of the M-Sport world rally team, based in Cockermouth, has been secured thanks to a sponsorship deal with the State of Qatar.

The company was left shocked in October, when Ford announced it would be retiring from world rallying at the end of the year.

It was worrying times for the firm and its employees, who had run the Ford world rally team since 1997.

However, a deal has been secured with Qatar, meaning three cars will compete in the 2013 World Rally Championship.

Marti Errington-Dodds has the full report:

• UK
• Malcolm Wilson
• Qatar

The future of a Cumbrian motorsport company has been secured, thanks to a business deal in the Middle East.

The M-Sport world rally team, near Cockermouth, has announced a partnership with the state of Qatar for the 2013 season. It had been partnered with Ford which recently said it was pulling out of rallying after 16 years with M-Sport.

• UK
• M-Sport
• Cumbria