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M-Sport wants Thierry Neuville for 2016 World Rally Championship

M-Sport is trying to entice Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville back into its line-up for the 2016 World Rally Championship

The Cumbrian team will launch its 2015 Ford Fiesta RS WRC (pictured below) before this week's Rally Portugal, and boss Malcolm Wilson believes it is capable of beating Volkswagen's all-conquering Polo R WRC.

DAVID EVANS: Neuville + M-Sport could take on Ogier

Neuville, who spent a season in an M-Sport Ford in 2013 before leaving for the works Hyundai line-up, has been identified as the driver who could provide the pace needed to end M-Sport's three-year win drought.

"I know what our car is capable of this year, which makes me even more excited about the new car," Wilson told AUTOSPORT.

"And I want to be absolutely clear that this is absolutely no slight on Elfyn [Evans] and Ott [Tanak], those guys are getting quicker and quicker and gaining more experience all the time.

"But we know we have a winning car coming for Portugal and a driver with the experience to deliver those victories has to be the next step for me.

"I make no bones about the fact that I'm chasing a partner for the team and that money would go to pay a driver next year and that driver would be Thierry."

While Neuville won his first rally in Germany with Hyundai last year, his most successful season to date was with M-Sport in 2013, when he finished runner-up to Sebastien Ogier in the championship, collecting six podiums in the final eight rallies.

"For me, he could have challenged Ogier if he'd stayed with us," added Wilson. "And he still could."

HYUNDAI SURE NEUVILLE WILL STAY

Hyundai team principal Michel Nandan insisted there was no question over Neuville future, or team-mate Dani Sordo's.

"Thierry is with us next year," Nandan told AUTOSPORT. "Dani as well. They are under contract and they will be here.

"Thierry has made the foundations with us and he will be here for the reward next year."

Neuville declined to talk about the finer details of his contract, although he is believed to have an option to leave Hyundai at the end of this season.

"I don't want to talk about this. I am doing my job," he said.

"I know where I could go, what I can do and what I am not allowed to do."

Asked if he had an option for next year, he added: "I have always some options! But, so far, we are considering developing further and I'm pretty sure the new car will be quick.

"I think we are aiming to stay with Hyundai.

"I have good relations with everybody. I have visited a lot of teams before, so I know a lot of people.

"But now I keep focused on my job. We made a good start to the season, but Argentina was a mess, so I will try to get it better and the championship [back in] focus."

The latest issue of AUTOSPORT magazine includes an in-depth focus on the new Ford Fiesta RS WRC and what it means for M-Sport's future

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