Francois Delecour seals Monte Carlo Rally return with M-Sport

Francois Delecour will return to the Monte Carlo Rally in 2014, two years after he last contested the event

Francois Delecour seals Monte Carlo Rally return with M-Sport

The 51-year-old Frenchman will drive an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS WRC, with backing from Romania's tourist board, as he did in 2012.

He will be co-driven by usual partner Dominique Savignoni, who actually took the wheel for the final stage on their last Monte appearance.

Delecour finished sixth in 2012 and aims to go one better in '14.

"Being realistic, I'm going to aim for fifth - and even that will be a very big challenge," he said.

"But at least we can take Sebastien Loeb out of the equation, so that's already a place gained for me...

"I also think it's asking a lot from Hyundai to be competitive on their first Monte. So we know who our direct rivals will be and if things go well for us, we could be fifth.

"Whatever happens, I'm going to really enjoy it. I love this rally and I'm looking forward to driving there already."

Delecour will test the Fiesta in early January, prior to his 98th WRC start and his 17th in the Principality.

Since his last Monte participation, Delecour has been contesting a partial European Rally Championship programme and also the Romanian championship, winning it for the past two seasons.

shares
comments

Hirvonen, Evans join M-Sport for 2014 WRC season

Dani Sordo optimistic after first taste of Hyundai's i20 WRC car

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Mexico
Tom Howard

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland

How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Sweden
Tom Howard

How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland

Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival

Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Monte Carlo
Tom Howard

Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival

How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master

How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Monte Carlo
Tom Howard

How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master

How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling

How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling

Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion

Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion

The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown

The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown

Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title

Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title