After being dumped by Citroen halfway by means of the 2018 season, Meeke was signed by Toyota for 2019, solely to be let go by the Japanese marque on the finish of the marketing campaign.

This week’s affirmation that Citroen outcast Esapekka Lappi is changing Elfyn Evans at M-Sport Ford in 2020 leaves no extra seats free on the highest stage.

Following Toyota’s resolution to drop each Meeke and Jari-Matti Latvala in favour of an all-new line-up, the previous was considered near asserting his retirement from rallying.

Talking to chose media on the Dakar Rally, the 40-year-old admitted it was time for him to search for contemporary challenges.

“When the [driver] market is like this, it’s not attainable,” mentioned Meeke when requested about the potential for driving for M-Sport. “At this stage of my profession, I’ve to be practical.

“I don’t drive for nothing. I don’t spend 200 days a 12 months away from my household for nothing. I believe Lappi will take the wage from Citroen so he doesn’t want any cash.

“So when it’s like that… for me, full-time within the WRC, I believe it’s completed.”

He added: “I’m 40 years previous now, so at one second you assume… I’d have cherished to proceed, however because the scenario arrived like this, it is like that.

“I’m nonetheless speaking with Toyota to be concerned, possibly in some testing, and we’ll see. I preserve my choices open. Actually I’m taking a look at different issues that make me passionate.”

Meeke fascinated by Dakar future

Meeke revealed he had been invited to the Dakar in Saudi Arabia by five-time bikes champion Cyril Despres, who’s spearheading Crimson Bull’s new off-road venture within the UTV class.

The Ulsterman revealed he was requested to be on standby in case Despres’ co-driver, the South African explorer Mike Horn, could not make it in time.

“I’m good pals with Cyril and he’s concerned now on this T3 class Crimson Bull Junior Workforce,” defined Meeke. “I had the chance to return and attempt to have a sense of what the Dakar is.

“I all the time adopted the Dakar on TV, I keep in mind Ari Vatanen doing it a few years in the past, Colin [McRae], and all people coming from the rallying facet.

“I’ve all the time had a ardour for it, additionally I’ve finished some endurance occasions with my bike, so I additionally mentioned that when WRC is completed for me, possibly I’ll take a look, so now I had the chance to return to look and see.