Marcus Gronholm could have replaced Francois Duval for Wales Rally GB

WIWDuval%3b232 Marcus Gronholm could have replaced Francois Duval for Wales Rally GB

Image: ©willyweyens-rallyworld

Malcolm Wilson wished to place Marcus Gronholm in the Stobart Focus for Wales Rally GB had Francois Duval elected to not take part, according to autoklub.pl.

Duval confirmed this in an interview with RTBF last week when he was testing Pieter Tsjoen's Focus just after the Condroz Rally. He was contemplating not competing again after the accident in Japan, which nearly claimed the life of his navigator Patrick Pivato.

Pivato's condition has since improved and he is currently back in France awaiting a final operation to set his broken pelvis. Duval then confirmed his entry last week for Wales with Pivato's friend Denis Giraudet in the co-drivers seat.

Duval stated about possibly being replaced by Gronholm:

Malcolm phoned me on Tuesday and I had to respond by Wednesday, because otherwise the team would have faced sanctions from the FIA. Malcolm said they would have to ask Gronholm if I decided not to go. This was a big honor for me - replace me with Gronholm!.

I feel they still want me in the WRC. I want to stay there but I have to bring a few million euros. It is not easy to find that amount in Belgium.

The Super 2000 category is wonderful and it has great cars. I have had contact with several manufacturers and it would be good to start in the IRC. I think in the next few days I will be able to announce something."

One of the manufacturers Duval has said he is interested in is Skoda, about possibly running in one of their cars for next year's IRC, but he maintained at the time that he didn't want to pay for a seat.