by Rob Wilkins


First Motorsport have said they are 'confident' they will be able to participate in the FIA World Rally Championship this season with Francois Duval despite speculation to the contrary.

According to recent media reports, Skoda has sold the Fabia WRC cars First was trying to acquire to Wevers Sport, something that has led to fears that not only could the team and Duval miss the Rally d'Italia Sardegna next month, but also that their whole nine event WRC programme could now be in doubt.

Asked about the current situation and if they could clarify what is going on, First Motorsport communication manager, Jean-Pierre Gilmart insisted that things aren't nearly as bleak as some have speculated.

“First Motorsport and Skoda Import (Belgium) are absolutely confident in the way the situation we are living in will be solved,” he explained to Crash.net.

“Together, we are still working on different solutions to build a private team and to participate in the World Rally Championship.

“We sincerely hope that Francois Duval and the whole team will be in Sardinia with the best conditions. We will do our best to, once again, shake up the leaders!”

Duval had been due to start his season with First in both Monte Carlo and Portugal, but was forced to withdraw from both outings. He is now scheduled to start his year in Sardinia with all the remaining European events pencilled in, as well as Rally New Zealand.

Duval, who was dropped by Citroen at the end of 2005, did eight events with the First-run Fabia WRC last season, scoring 5 points in total, after finishing sixth in Spain, eighth in Sardinia and eighth on the season ending, Wales Rally GB.

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