Loeb closes on Peugeot Le Mans seat

Loeb tested at Motorland Aragon in Spain last week alongside Peugeot regulars Sebastien Bourdais, Marc Gene, Franck Montagny and Alex Wurz.

The team has now confirmed that this test was conducted with a view to Loeb racing at Le Mans next season. The Frenchman will continue to test with Peugeot over the next three months before the squad decides whether he should be part of its Le Mans assault.

"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," said a Peugeot statement.

"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."

Loeb contested Le Mans with Pescarolo in 2005 and 2006, finishing second overall in the latter event. He first tested the Peugeot 908 last autumn, but Le Mans clashed with the Acropolis Rally this year.