Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica will contest all 13 rounds of next year’s world rally champion-ship in an M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta, a move that ends any immediate prospect of his return to circuit racing.

The Pole, a Formula One race winner whose grand prix career ended before the start of the 2011 season when he suffered a near-fatal accident during a minor rally in Italy, made the announcement yesterday.

M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson said he was thrilled by the partnership.

“Since Robert burst onto the WRC championship scene this year, we have been very keen to have him on board,” he said.

The 29-year-old won the second tier WRC2 championship in a Citroen this year and competed in the season-ending British round of the main championship.

He won the FIA ‘Personality of the Year’ award this month.

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