Loeb to Ink Peugeot Deal for 2010 Le Mans?

Sebastien Loeb holds a very good chance of making the Peugeot squad for the upcoming Le Mans 24 Hours Race in 2010. The Frenchman, who missed the last 3 editions of the famous endurance event, already conducted the first tests for his home manufacturer last week, and Peugeot announce a definitive decision on the final lineup will be made in early 2010.

However, in their statement for the press after last week's test – in which Loeb joined fellow countrymen Sebastien Bourdais and Franck Montagny, as well as Le Mans usuals Marc Gene and Alex Wurz – Peugeot revealed that Loeb is in fact testing for a place in their 2010 lineup. The French manufacturer will therefore continue testing for the event in the next few months and decide whether Loeb is worth signing or not.

“Sebastien Loeb made an active contribution to the test which formed part of a programme leading up to a possible participation for the Frenchman in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours, given that there is no WRC round scheduled the same weekend,” red the statement from Peugeot.

“Sebastien will now take part in Peugeot Sport's upcoming simulation tests, and a decision regarding his incorporation in the Peugeot Total squad for next June's race will be taken jointly at the end of February,” added the press release.

Peugeot will enter the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours Race lineup as defending champions for the first time since 1993. Last year, it was the crew that had Gene, Wurz and David Brabham at the wheel of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP to break Audi's domination in the event (winners of the last 5 editions of the race, before the 2009 one).

As for Loeb, the WRC champion is no stranger from the Le Mans action, as he himself was very close to bringing Pescarolo their very first win in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2006. He then had to settle for the runner-up spot overall. He also contested in the race a year before, also for Pescarolo.