Back to News
Earlier today, François Delecour took part in the FIA press conference for Rallye de France-Alsace, alongside regular WRC drivers Sébastien Ogier, Marek Nawarecki, Bryan Bouffier and Elfyn Evans.
François had some interesting things to say about his drive with Tuthill Porsche, the experience of taking our R-GT car in front of the fans and his hopes to compete in the 2015 R-GT Cup with a Porsche 911. Here’s how the conversation went:
Let’s turn to François Delecour. Good to see you again François. We see you compete here with a Porsche 997 GT3 R-GT car. The car looks fantastic – and sounds amazing! What is it like to drive?
I am so happy to be back. I am 52 and still in the business! To drive this kind of car is a dream. For example I remember Bernard Béguin – who is here today – driving a Porsche 20 or 30 years ago. It’s fantastic to drive this car and I believe that it brings a lot of spectators to the event as people like this car and its sound. It will be difficult to drive behind some people like Sébastien [Ogier] who will destroy the roads for us behind! But it is going to be a fantastic experience.
You tested the car earlier this week. How many kilometers did you do François? How was the car?
Not so many because last week I was for a championship in Romania (Interviewer: “Congratulations on winning the Romanian Championship!”). Yes, it’s our little world championship! To be honest I was testing last Thursday in Romania when Richard Tuthill called me and asked if I was ready to go Monday and drive the Porsche on Rallye de France. I answered I was ready! Of course it’s a bit difficult to be ready but we will be by tomorrow. We tested 30 kilometres before we had an issue with the differential but I have a good feeling in any case.
How well do you know the roads in this area of France? How familiar are you with these stages?
I know some portions from the past. Last time I was here was maybe eight years ago with a Porsche GT and at that time the regulations were not so good for the Porsche, the car was heavy, difficult to drive with no brakes. I remember a little bit some of the stages such as Montagne d’Ormont or Charbonnières which is a good stage for the Porsche as it is very fast. But most of it is new.
A battle with Romain Dumas this weekend who is also in a Porsche, that should be interesting – are you looking forward to that?
Yes, I saw Romain many times on Rallye du Var, he is driving so fast with a Porsche and he has a lot of experience as well. For sure we will fight, it’s going to be interesting.
As you said, you are 52 and still in the business. What about next year? Are we going to see you more?
Next year I am doing the World Championship but don’t say anything! No seriously next year we will try to do the R-GT Cup with a GT, I would like to do it for sure.
François is ready to have a great fight in France! Follow Tuthill Porsche on Twitter to keep up with all the latest news from the 2015 WRC Rallye de France-Alsace!
