Having only been able to contest a part campaign during 2006, Henning Solberg will complete a full World Rally Championship programme in 2007 and 2008 after concluding a deal to drive for Ford's second M2 team.

Solberg and co-driver Cato Menkerud will drive for the as yet un-named team with backing from consumer electronics retail company Expert and will return to the Ford Focus WRC and the M-Sport family after a year with OMV Peugeot, where he finished eighth in the drivers' standings.

“It is a pleasure to be working with Henning and Cato again in 2007,” M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson said. “They have both had an additional years experience in 2006 and proved capable of finishing on the podium - as they capitalise on this in 2007 we are confident they will be challenging for a lot more podium finishes.

“It is also a pleasure to be working with Expert in 2007 - from the initial discussions we have had they seem to be focused on success for the programme and welcome the opportunity to work closely with them in the coming years.”

For Solberg, who took his maiden WRC podium earlier this year in Turkey, the announcement of a two-year deal to drive the Focus means he can now hope to fight for podiums and wins in 'the best car we can get'.

“It's just great for me to know that everything is sorted out for the next two years,” Solberg said. “This means that Cato and I can concentrate 100 per cent on the driving. I'm very grateful to Expert. Together with other companies they have raised a budget for the next two years.

“This year the goal was to be on the podium in at least one event. We did that in Turkey. Next year our aim will be to visit the podium more than once. From my point of view the car is the best we can get at the moment, and for sure it's good enough to win our new home event, Rally Norway.”