I also think that Solbergs would expect MSport to pay Oliver to drive, while Malcolm expects the opposite. But yes if Fourmaux leaves that might change things.

Olivers consistency on gravel improved a lot this year. But he needs to drive more tarmac if he aims for full seat.

On a related note it would be somewhat ironic if, after being hailed as best Rally2 an seemingly using lot of money on Solberg+testing, Skoda would end with no titles this year (no ERC or WRC2). Last time something like this happened was in 2020. (C3 won WRC2 and ERC, i20 won WRC3).