M-Sport team principal Richard Millener has told DirtFish he ‘remains positive’ about retaining lead driver Adrien Fourmaux beyond the end of this season.
There was speculation in Finland last week that the Frenchman was being courted by Hyundai – a consideration strengthened by the Korean manufacturer’s desire to run a full-time third driver through 2025.
Fourmaux, who won last year’s British title with M-Sport, delivered a fourth podium of the season in Jyväskylä and sits fifth in the championship race.
Asked about Fourmaux’s future in the wake of the Hyundai rumours, Millener said: “Adrien’s had a very good season so far and that means other teams will surely be looking at him. He knows, however, he is the number one [driver] at M-Sport and he cannot get that anywhere else.
“I remain positive that we will be able keep him with us here at M-Sport.”
Fourmaux is after some improvements to the Puma Rally1, which Millener says M-Sport can deliver
Millener admitted Fourmaux wants to see continued developments to the Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid but added the Cumbrian firm was ready to deliver what was needed.
He said: “There are elements we will need to improve on in order to keep him happy and we need to continue to develop and push our team as hard as possible in order to remain competitive against the others, but everybody is working for Adrien and he knows this.
“He is an incredible talent and he’s made it clear he wants to gain his first win and, in time, his first championship with M-Sport. We now have to work very hard over the next few months to ensure that we do everything we can to keep him.
“We have everything we need, we just have to bring it all together. There is also a very strong bond and real mutual respect between everybody here at M-Sport and Adrien – this can often mean more than anything else.
“Adrien has a lot of success coming his way and I only want to see that success coming with M-Sport.”
