Duval looking for full-time WRC return

One-time world rally winner Francois Duval has admitted he’s hoping his Stobart Ford World Rally Team drive on this week’s Rallye Deutschland could be the start of a full-time return to the sport.

Duval hasn’t competed since the 2008 season - and looked to have retired from rallying earlier this season - but the 29-year-old has been reinvigorated by the chance to drive at the highest level again.

In the short-term, Duval is hoping to bag another two World Rally Championship outings this season, before pursuing a more permanent seat in the future.

“It’s good to drive again,” said Duval. “I’ve come back again because I like the rally and to drive the World Rally Car is the most fun. It’s possible that I could stay [in the WRC for the longer-term] and this is what I am trying to do, sure. It’s not so easy for me, though, I have been away for two years, but now I’m back and I want to see where I am.”

After an extensive test in the Focus, in which he completed 250 kilometres, Duval says he is looking for a top-six finish in Germany before pushing for more outings before the end of the season.

“It would be good to try and stay in the car for France and Spain,” he said. “We have to see how Germany goes, but I think top five or six is possible here.”

Duval has ruled out adding to an impressive set of recent results in Germany, with him taking a podium finish on three from the last four years.

“Last time I was here, Mikko [Hirvonen] and Jari [-Matti Latvala] were already very close with me, so to try and beat them is not really possible,” added Duval. “They have been competing regularly, but for me, yes I did a good test, but it is a long time away from the car.”