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Monte Carlo hosts the World Rally Championship season opening round this weekend. Irish rally fans will be tracking the progress of Paul Nagle, navigator to Kris Meeke, and Waterford man Craig Breen, both competing again this year for the Citroen WRC team.

12 months ago, Ogier silenced his doubters by winning his fifth consecutive championship with privateers M-Sport. Joining M-Sport he had nowhere to hide putting his Fiesta in a ditch early on Friday, but he bounced back in true Ogier-style. His main rival Neuville crashing out of the rally lead and typically it was Ogier who was best-placed to pounce, scooping up a maiden win on his M-Sport debut.

Monte was a perfect microcosm of Ogier’s 2017 season. He wasn’t the quickest, topping only three of Monte’s 15 stages. Ogier stole Neuville’s win in the season opener and consistently put his Fiesta in places it had no right to be. A win in Portugal was the second and final win of the year, and yet Ogier romped away with his fifth title.

Ogier’s ability to play the numbers game like nobody else, knowing when to push and when to hold back with his Fiesta playing to his tune. It was the most consistent, reliable car in the field. The Hyundai proved to be fragile, Toyota was still in development and Citroen was undriveable.

12 months on M-Sport has increased Ford backing so its underdog status is no longer as valid. Ogier has also had his first proper winter testing so the Monte will not be the unknown like last year. Citroen has a point to prove and Meeke and Nagle have the speed, Hyundai will be more robust, and Toyota have the talented Tanak. Qgier won’t have it his own way. It is the makings of another exciting season.