Ogier tests Toyota's WRC car in Spain

The Frenchman joined the Toyota test in Spain, where he drove the car on wet asphalt and on gravel.

Team principal Tommi Makinen told Autosport: "Yes, it's true. Sebastien did come and test the car yesterday [Wednesday], but I can't tell you anything more than that at the moment.

"Of course, we are talking."

Ogier is reported to have been offered a contract worth €10m (£8.5m), with Latvala also reported to have a contract on the table with the Puuppola-based team.

Makinen dismissed such speculation saying: "Like I said, we are talking to the drivers, but we didn't make the offer yet.

"The problem we have is for the car availability.

"We will run with just the two cars until the spring time and Juho [Hanninen] will be driving on all of the rallies."

Having sampled the Toyota, Ogier will test a Ford Fiesta RS WRC in Cumbria on Friday.

Ogier's chances of driving a Citroen and Hyundai look to be dwindling, with both the French and Korean manufacturers struggling to find a way to bring him to their teams neither is keen to allow the four-time champion aboard their 2017 cars.