Pierre-Louis Loubet will drive an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 on all rounds of the 2023 WRC season as the British team confirmed its second (full-time) driver for next year.
“It’s a dream come true for me, something that I have been dreaming about since I was a kid. To do my first full season, and to do the main passion in my life every weekend is something truly fantastic,” the 25-year-old said.
“The full season takes off a lot of pressure because I know that I have 13 events to give me a chance to show all my potential, and gives me the space to grow and learn. In 2023, my most important goal will be to finish every event, to gain experience and learn to know where I can push and go for maximum speed.
“To be an official driver and scoring manufacturer points for M-Sport is something I have always wanted, I am so pleased that M-Sport is believing in me like this. I’m so pleased to be working with M-Sport again, and to work alongside Ott as team-mates is something very special,” Loubet added.
Gilsoul becomes Loubet’s new co-driver
Nicolas Gilsoul will be Loubet’s new co-driver. The Belgian won 13 WRC rallies alongside Thierry Neuville and was Gino Bux’s co-driver in the Belgian rally championship in 2022.
Loubet and Gilsoul drove their first rally together during last weekend’s Rallye National Hirvernal du Dévoluy, a national rally in France, with a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Loubet joins Ott Tänak in M-Sport’s line-up for next season. M-Sport’s further plans are expected soon as Rally Monte Carlo‘s entry deadline is tomorrow.
Photo: M-Sport