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WRC: François Duval to replace Galli in New Zealand

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Khatir Soltani
Source: Stobart Motorsport

François Duval has been chosen to replace the injured Gigi Galli for the Repco Rally New Zealand as the second Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team entrant. He will join Matthew Wilson as the second nominated point-scoring driver.

Usually a team may only change one element of the entry but the Stobart team management are currently requesting permission from the FIA to change both the driver and co-driver elements due to the obvious safety issue brought about by a language barrier. If this is confirmed then Patrick Pivato would join Duval for the event.

This decision comes after Duval scored an amazing podium finish in Germany last week and, as the Belgian is also contesting events in Spain and Corsica later this year, it was the most logical decision to allow him more time behind the wheel of the Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07.

Duval has already demonstrated his ability to perform on fast gravel in the southern hemisphere after he won Rally Australia in 2005
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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