Sébastien Loeb tested M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Puma Hybrid Rally1 car in Spain on Tuesday.
DirtFish understands the nine-time world champion spent the full day driving the all-new 2022 car on asphalt close to Vic.
M-Sport declined to comment on its test program. Craig Breen will take over the Puma test chassis on Wednesday for his first full day of asphalt running.
![unnamed (59)](https://www-dirtfish.imgix.net/2021/10/unnamed-59.jpg?auto=compress&fit=scale&fm=pjpg&h=520&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=70&w=780&wpsize=entry-main)
He will then switch to a gravel-specification car for Friday.
While there is speculation that Loeb has signed a contract with the British-based squad for next season, DirtFish understands that to be wide of the mark.
Understandably, the team will want him in the car for the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, but such a move would mean he starts the recce for round one just three days after completing the Dakar Rally.
![Goodwood Festival of Speed 2021](https://www-dirtfish.imgix.net/2021/10/FOS2021_NickDungan_11806.jpg?auto=compress&fit=scale&fm=pjpg&h=520&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=70&w=780&wpsize=entry-main)
Increased chatter about Loeb closing on his deal adds further weight to thinking that Adrien Fourmaux’s contract is also close.
M-Sport team principal Richard Millener has previously told DirtFish he would be interested to see Loeb working with his fellow Red Bull-backed Frenchman into 2022.