Monte build-up: Delecour shakes down Focus

Delecour, who was controversially dismissed by Peugeot at the end of the 2000 season, has signed as a third driver for the Martini-backed team, joining Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. The asphalt ace is scheduled to run 10 events in the 14-round 2001 WRC schedule, including all asphalt rallies.

The Frenchman got his first taste of the WRC Focus at Kirkbride Airfield, near to the M-Sport team's Cockermouth base. After a fitting at the Dovenby Hall facility, Delecour put in a full day of acclimatisation running in an unliveried Focus fitted with a 2001-spec aero package, including a revised rear spoiler. However, heavy snowfalls in the Cumbria area meant the car was fitted with various combinations of studded and gravel tyres, and not Pirelli's tarmac-spec compounds.

"I am very happy with the car," he said after his first run. "It feels very similar to the Peugeot and it has got a lot of potential."

Conditions for the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally in three weeks time are expected to be the usual mixture of dry tarmac, icy tarmac and full snow, and the team will conduct further testing in the Alps - conditions permitting - in early January.

Delecour drove for Ford in the Group A Escort Cosworth era, with current Ford rally boss Malcolm Wilson among his team mates. He won the 1994 Monte Carlo Rally for the Blue Oval, but was involved in a serious road accident that prevented him from demonstrating his true potential.

"I am happy to be working with my former team mate as my boss," said Delecour. "I feel very comfortable already and I find the atmosphere at M-Sport very different to [Ford's former rally HQ] Boreham."