WRC return for Duval possible

Belgian tarmac expert Francois has had a few words with Ford about coming out of retirement to drive a Ford Focus WRC on this year's Rally Deutchland.

Duval has been the only driver to ever head the all-conquering Frenchman on what is known as 'Loeb's event'. Duval has finished second three times to Loeb and had the beating of Loeb at the 2007 event when Duval was aboard a 2006-spec Xsara. A series of spins ultimately denied Duval his second WRC victory, but this reinforced his undoubted talent.

Duval's full-time WRC career came to an end when the Belgian, one of the drivers tipped to become future World Champion, signed a contract for only a one-year with Citroen instead of an extension to his existing contract with Ford. A year of crashes lead Citroen to dismiss him at the end of the year, but one plus was that he claimed a long awaited win at the 2005 Telstra Rally Australia.

Duval has been back in rallying since though. He appeared with the Stobart M-Sport Team for the tarmac rounds of the 2008 WRC and then the rest of the calender when Gigi Galli suffered a broken leg at the 2008 Rally Deutchland. Duval's year then ended when he suffered an off and collided with the end of an armco barrier, breaking co-driver Patrick Pivato's pelvis. Duval competed in the following Wales Rally GB with Denis Giraudet on the notes, but that was his last event.

Duval final rallying adventure was the IRC round Ypres Rally, his home event. The Belgian crashed his Skoda Fabia S2000 into a field and then beached the car trying to get out.

Duval was offered an entry into the IRC with Proton, but refused it and retired from the sport to pursue a career in Rallycross.

Duval would have to pay the full hire price for a Focus, but if he can come up with the cash, he is welcome to hire a car says Technical Director Christian Loriaux.

“Francois has contacted us about hiring a Focus for Germany. It’s a purely commercial deal. We might have a car available and if he can find the budget then maybe we can make it happen. But that’s it, like I said: a commercial deal, not us chasing him.” he said.