Delecour lands drive with Ford

The Frenchman, who was sensationally sacked by Peugeot last month after falling out with team boss Corrado Provera, has signed a one-year deal to drive for the Cumbria-based outfit, with an option for the following season.

Delecour joins Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz as the team attempt to go one better than the second place it achieved in the 2000 manufacturers' championship campaign.

After being forced out of the French team in November, retiring from world rallying was a distinct possibility for Delecour. But he will now compete in a minimum of 10 WRC events next season as an official Ford-entered driver, including all rallies in the first half of the season. His co-driver Daniel Grataloup also makes the move to the team.

Delecour rejoins Ford after driving for the team in the early 1990s. In his five years he won three rallies in 1993 in an Escort Cosworth on his way to a career best second in the championship, and won his home rally in Monte Carlo in 1994.

"I'm very happy to be rejoining Ford because I've enjoyed some special moments with them during my career and I'm looking forward to testing the Focus for the first time," he said.

Martin Whitaker, European Director of Ford Racing, hopes that with the addition of Delecour, the team which already boasts two world champions in the shape of McRae and Sainz, will be a force to be reckoned with in 2001.

"In Colin, Carlos and Francois we have a powerful pan-European team and one which has unrivalled experience at the top level of rallying. We're delighted to welcome Francois back to Ford and look forward to him helping the team mount a strong challenge in both the manufacturers' and drivers' championships in 2001."

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson drove alongside Delecour for Ford during the Frenchman's first stint with the team so is well qualified to pinpoint his skills.

"Francois is a supremely talented driver, at home on either gravel or asphalt, and I expect him to adapt quickly to the Focus."

Delecour added: "Having Malcolm as my boss will not be a new experience for me. I drove a Ford Escort for his private team in 1995 on the Rally of Wales. Ford has shown this season that they have a very competitive car and I'm sure a combination of the Focus and Colin, Carlos and myself will be a tough team to beat next year."

Delecour's deal could hit the hopes of Finnish youngster Toni Gardemeister. The SEAT refugee had been widely tipped to drive a Focus next season, but Ford's decision to line up the Frenchman alongside Sainz and McRae could make it difficult to find another car for the required number of rounds. Furthermore, there are precious few options left for Gardemeister: a Grifone-run Peugeot might be one possibility, as well as one of the plethora of Toyota Corolla WRCs in private hands.

The 2001 championship gets underway in just five weeks' time with the season opener in Monte Carlo on January 18-21.