Francois Duval will return to the World Rally Championship next month driving a Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Focus RS WRC on Rally Deutschland.
Despite announcing his retirement earlier this season, Duval has sourced the budget for a seat with the Cumbrian-based squad who he last drove for in 2008. The deal is believed to be a one-off for the moment.
"It is of great credit to Malcolm [Wilson] and Christian [Loriaux] at M-Sport that I have been given this opportunity to drive for the Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team once again," said the 28-year-old.
"I hope that I will have a good test in the weeks before Germany and that I will be able to get a good result for the team. Germany is a very nice rally and each year I have competed I've had very good results so I am confident I will be able to do well again this year."
Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson added: "I'm delighted to see Francois back behind the wheel of a Ford Focus RS WRC again. He will strengthen the Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team at a crucial part of the season so we are very much looking forward to welcoming him on board. "We really enjoyed working with Francois in 2008 and I have little doubt that he will continue to impress us when he joins us in Germany next month."
Duval has finished second in Germany three times, but was fourth last time out when he drove a Stobart Ford on the Trier-based event in 2008. Duval has not competed in the WRC since finishing sixth on the 2008 Rally GB.