Francois Duval joins Manfred StohlTwo drivers will compete for the OMV Kronos Citroën World Rally Team at the ADAC Rallye Germany. Francois Duval has been nominated for the second Citroën Xsara WRC in time for the entry deadline.
The chances for a top result at
the tenth run of the FIA World Rally Championship should increase with the assignment of the 26-year-old Belgian, who reached the podium in Germany on two occasions.
In the five-year-history of Rally Germany, Francois Duval twice came dangerously close to five-times winner
Sebastien Loeb, as the Belgian finished second to the Frenchman in 2004 and 2005.
Neo OMV driver Duval had already steered a Citroen Xsara WRC to victory in 2005 when he won Rally Australia two and a half years ago, which also marked the last appearance of Duval in a Citroën.
"I am very happy and want to thank my partners who have made this assignment possible. I know that we can be very fast with the Citroën Xsara WRC in Germany and will cause quite a surprise," said Francois Duval.
Manfred Stohl welcomes the fact that he won't be the only one to carry the flag of the OMV Kronos Citroën World Rally Team in Germany. He is looking forward to the immediate comparison with a teammate once again, a situation which motivates last year's fifth-placed driver of the German event even more.
"Francois Duval undisputedly is one of the three best drivers in the WRC on tarmac. He furthermore knows the Citroën Xsara WRC. I can only profit by the comparison and collaboration – that is why I am looking forward to it," explained Stohl.
Rally Germany is a kind of "home rally" for Team Principal Marc Van Dalen. "Duval doesn't live too far from the rally course. And it also is the nearest WRC-run for our company Kronos-Racing. And the tradition of OMV at this rally is well known," he said.
"Furthermore, both Duval and Stohl already reached top five results here. Plus: the Citroën Xsara WRC is the most successful car at this rally. Eight of fifteen podium places went to this car type during five years. This in combination with the home advantage should make for a satisfying performance," Van Dalen concluded.
OMV Kronos World Rally Team
