60-year-old François Delecour is still going strong, the Frenchman drives rally cars every year and has tested several different car models as an invited driver in numerous rallies annually.
With the FIA World Rally Championship premier in Rallye Monte-Carlo close to his heart, he will 2023 make his 24th start in the famous rally. The hunt for a Ford Puma Rally1 was unsuccessful, M-Sport Ford WRT did not have more cars ready to start in the WRC premiere than those already registered so he had to go for a different approach.
Instead, it will be a start in a new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, he will be teaming up with the German outfit Toksport WRT, which is given the mighty task of driving cars from the Czech manufacturer during the season. Several drivers are already contracted for full programs in the WRC2 class under a couple of different teams with the new car.
“It is with great joy that I announce my participation in the next Monte-Carlo rally behind the wheel of a superb Škoda WRC2 from Toksport WRT alongside the best drivers in the category, Sabrina de Castelli will be by my side to try to put on a nice performance and, believe me, we will do what is necessary! With three days of competition, we will be able to get used to the car and enjoy this rally in the best condition.” Delecour said in his announcement on social media.
Delecour started his first Monte-Carlo rally already in 1984 with a Talbot Samba and he was co-driven by his then girlfriend Anne Chantal Pauwels he has then done a couple of comebacks in the mountains. The lastest was in 2017 when he entered the R-GT class in a Fiat 124 Abarth Rally but unfortunately had to retire.
