The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team announced earlier today that Adrien Fourmaux will drive a Rally1 Puma for the team at Rally Japan.
Getting A Chance
Adrien Forumaux will get another chance in a Rally1 car at Rally Japan. Forumaux hasn’t driven a Rally1 car since Rally RACC Catalunya last season. Forumaux and M-Sport decided to cut his season short after the Frenchman had a poor showing all season long. Including 3 retirements due to crashes in the first 5 events of the season. M-Sport called this Fourmaux’s reward for winning the British Rally Championship this season. However, that’s likely just a cover-up for the actual reason Fourmaux is getting the opportunity. As it has been speculated Fourmaux will drive for the team next season in a Rally1 car. Fourmaux may be getting the opportunity in the car in Japan for M-Sport to see if he’s improved. Alternatively, it’ll also be a chance for Fourmuax to get back used to the car before next season.
Filling In For Loubet
Adrien Fourmaux’s opportunity to drive a Rally1 car again comes with a slight catch. As Fourmaux will fill in for Pierre-Louis Loubet whose last event will be the Central European Rally. The decision for Loubet to end the season after the Central European Rally was made after EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. M-Sport and Loubet hope the extended break will allow Loubet to concentrate on getting everything ready for the start of the 2024 season in Monte-Carlo. This may also be the first sign that Loubet will be with M-Sport once again next season. Loubet’s future with M-Sport was in question after the Frenchman started a rumor that the team would leave the WRC next season. However, that rumor was quickly put to bed by the team. M-Sport could roster a team of Loubet and Forumaux as full-time drivers with guys like Grégoire Munster being part-time, among other WRC2 drivers.