DirtFish sources have confirmed M-Sport has four cars in build for January’s Monte Carlo Rally – the strongest hint yet that Sébastien Loeb could join the British squad for the World Rally Championship season opener.
When that speculation was put to M-Sport Ford World Rally Team principal Richard Millener his response was brief.
Millener told DirtFish: “As we’ve said on numerous occasions, beyond Craig [Breen] we’ve got nothing to say about our 2022 line-up at this moment.”
Questioned on how many cars he anticipated fielding in Monaco, Millener refused to discuss the number of Pumas being built at the team’s Dovenby Hall premises.
DirtFish understands the four cars being readied for Monte Carlo could also be present at round two, Rally Sweden, where a potential Loeb car could be taken by a customer.
Managing director Malcolm Wilson has previously told DirtFish he wants to see customer cars up and running for the Umeå-based event.
If Breen and Loeb drive two cars in Monte Carlo, M-Sport is closing in on agreements for the third and fourth seats.
Adrien Fourmaux is known to be in a strong position having worked extensively on the development of the team’s 2022 car. A Fourmaux and Loeb partnership would undoubtedly work for Red Bull as well.
Briton Gus Greensmith’s hopes of remaining with M-Sport into 2022 are similarly strong.
