The Ford squad is continuing to push to reach an agreement with the nine-time world champion, who claimed an 80th career win and record equalling eighth triumph at the famous asphalt rally this year.
Loeb enjoyed a partial WRC campaign with M-Sport this season which he dovetailed around successful campaigns in the World Rally-Raid Championship and Extreme E.
During the season the Frenchman led three of the four WRC rallies he contested behind the wheel of the Ford Puma, proving a valuable member of the team.
Last week M-Sport confirmed the first of its drivers for 2023 with the high profile signing of 2019 world champion Ott Tanak, but the reminder of its line-up is yet to be announced.
Millener confirmed to Motorsport.com that the team would like to add Loeb to their ranks for 2023, but only if it doesn’t stretch squad’s resources too thinly. Entries for next year’s Monte Carlo Rally are set to close on Friday.
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
Loeb did however return to the cockpit of the Puma last weekend when he took part in a demonstration at the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team’s title celebration event in Milton Keynes.
“Obviously we would like to have Seb in the car but I think that is going to be difficult for Monte Carlo, but we won’t stop trying,” Millener told Motorsport.com.
“At the moment we have to put all our resources into Ott and that is where we have got to be realistic.
“It will be a funding thing,” Millener replied, when asked about the negotiations with Loeb. “To have two drivers at the top level that come with reasonable but big price tags.
“There is no point pushing ourselves too hard. If we are going to go for a championship with one person then we have already clearly said that is going to be Ott and that is where we have got to start strongly.
“As much as we want Seb in the car and love to have him in the team, we have to find the opportunities where we are able to do that with the correct resource.”
Photo by: M-Sport
Loubet in the frame for M-Sport drive
Pierre-Louis Loubet remains firmly in contention to secure a Rally1 deal with the team for 2023 following his impressive partial campaign this year.
The 25-year-old emerged as the WRC’s surprise package during a seven-round programme with the Ford squad.
Loubet notched up his first WRC stages wins and led a rally for the first time on merit in Greece, before going on to finish fourth, one of two fourth place…
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