Delecour, Monte-Carlo star

If Bryan Bouffier collected congratulatory messages following his victory in Monte-Carlo, another driver attracted much more attention. François Delecour, winner of the event in 1994, was back at the wheel of a Peugeot 207 S2000 prepared by Michel Enjolras' team. Fifth in the final general classification, the Northerner showed that he could perform, despite almost ten years of absence.

“I'm a little frustrated by the final result but I'm very happy with my performance,” he confided for AUTOhebdo.fr. Coming fifth in Monte-Carlo at the wheel of a private car is not easy to achieve. We only had a small team, we had no mechanical problems. But it was a 207 which did not benefit from the developments of the others. With an official car, I could have won this rally »

In addition, the enthusiasm never stopped throughout the weekend. The return of the 1994 Monte-Carlo winner did not go unnoticed. “Whether it was in the stages, where a lot of people were shouting my name, or at the service, where people came to me for autograph requests, there were always people there. I took advantage of my notoriety compared to today?s drivers, who are not very well known, except Petter Solberg. I also competed in the Monte-Carlo fifteen times before this one, so there are inevitably spectators who have seen me pass more than once. »

After this Rally, François Delecour is more motivated than ever to return to the competition and the public. He has no doubt about his ability to attack to the fullest. ?I didn?t have the slightest apprehension this weekend, I was always at the limit, except in the snowy stages, where I was tense because I didn?t want to spoil my good choice of tires. Otherwise, the gap with the other drivers has always been the same this weekend. I had very regular times. I don?t have the slightest apprehension and I want to come back. »