Out go Estonian Ott Tanak and Welshman Elfyn Evans to be replaced by Meeke’s erstwhile Citroen team-mate Mads Ostberg and the surprise choice of France’s Eric Camilli.
In truth it was never likely Dungannon driver Meeke would move to Ford in the wake of Citroen’s decision to sit out next season while they develop a new car for the 2017 regulations. The M-Sport team require outside funding and Ostberg’s car will run under the Adapta banner of his family-owned company in Norway.
Camilli is currently a test driver with the new Toyota team but has been competing in the World Championship’s WRC2 division and won the category on Rally GB.
Rally Argentina winner Meeke, meanwhile, may stay on with Citroen to help in the development of the 2017 car but it would mean his World Championship appearances next year would be restricted to just a handful of events with one of the French manufacturer’s satellite teams.
With Evans sidelined too it may mean there will be no British driver taking part in next year’s WRC series.