The Ford squad is yet to confirm its plans for next season, but should it continue in the top echelon of rallying, the squad will have to field a changed driver line-up after Ott Tanak decided to move back to Hyundai in 2024.
This season the team has opted to reduce from three to two full-time Ford Puma appearances for Tanak and Pierre-Louis Loubet, although the latter will sit out this weekend’s season finale in Japan in favor of Adrien Fourmaux.
However, M-Sport has lined up private entries for Jourdan Serderidis (Monte Carlo, Mexico, Kenya, Greece), Gregoire Munster (Chile, Central European Rally) and Alberto Heller (Chile).
The team is currently exploring options with its partners and potential drivers as it weighs plans for next year. However, Millener has previously suggested that a lineup of young drivers is most likely.
According to Millener, Loubet, Fourmaux and Munster are among the potential candidates. Loubet has endured a difficult first full-time WRC season, recording two sixth-place finishes as his best finishes, while Munster, driving the Serderidis-owned car, has shown promising speed in both Rally1 outings since moving up from Rally2.
Fourmaux also impressed in Rally 2, having won class two in the Central European Rally last month and secured the British Rally Championship title.
Photo by: M-Sport
Rich Millener, team boss M-Sport Ford Rally
“They are the three drivers that would obviously come to mind as people who have experience in the car,” Millener told Motorsport.com.
“We still have some work to do to make sure the budgets are there to be there next year, but I think if we use the juniors more consistently, we’ve shown what they can do and I think that is the goal.”
“I do believe that all podium finishes are possible for them if they are sensible about their actions. Winning overall is probably another step forward, but there’s no reason why we can’t be competitive.”
At this point last season, M-Sport was in talks with Oliver Solberg about a possible collaboration for this year. On paper, it seems like the Monster Energy-backed 22-year-old, who has two WRC2 wins this year, would be an ideal fit again for 2024.
However, it appears a potential move for 2023 has been complicated by M-Sport’s backing from energy drink maker Red Bull. Millener says the team is in talks to continue working with the brand next year, although a deal has not yet been finalized.
“We want to continue with them [Red Bull] and there is a goal to move forward together, but we are still discussing what is possible,” Millener added.
“Red Bull, like all partners, is interested in performance, but we have to be realistic about where we can be.”
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