Francois Delecour has admitted driving a Super 2000 car has been tougher than he had imagined as he returns to the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time since 2002. The Frenchman is lying eighth going into the second day of this year's event, his first in a Peugeot 207 S2000.
"It is hard work to drive these cars," Delecour said. "It is more physical to drive than the World Rally Car. I haven't done very much testing, so the car is still very new for me."
The 1994 Monte Carlo winner set two seventh- and two eighth-fastest times on yesterday's four stages, but added that he hoped for better today.
"I feel there is more to come from me and from the car," he said. "I want to go faster. I know these roads well, I will push some more.
"Yesterday was quite difficult, you know it was the new car, the new co-driver – or co-driver I haven't been with for a long time. And don't forget, this is the private car, it's not factory. But, for me, I am happy to be not so far from [Bryan] Bouffier, he knows the car more than me."