Second-generation Delacour carves out career on rally stage
At just 17, François Delacour’s son Eliott is already a rally class act
Jayson fong
There wasn’t one single moment that convinced Eliott Delecour he would follow in his father’s footsteps. It was always there; more like the acceptance of a destiny.
“Rallying was something I grew up with, both through my dad and my mum, so it was something that I always knew about and wanted to do,” says the 17-year-old. “It was more about when rather than if – but of course, if I could find the money and a way to do it.”
The surname helped, which opened doors for him to compete in the Dacia Cup in Romania aged 16 in 2023. Within three rallies he had taken his first class win and once Eliott turned 17 in September 2024 he was able to compete in France as well – with outings on famous events such as the Rallye du Var.
The turning point came in January this year though, when he entered the Stellantis Cup promotional series and also made his WRC debut on the Rallye Monte Carlo. He duly claimed first in the RC4 class (in an Opel Corsa Rally 4) and 32nd overall.
Eliott Delecour and Romain Roche were RC4 winners in this year’s Monte Carlo Rally
Alamy Stock Photo
“That was an unbelievable experience – like a dream for me,” says Eliott. Not long afterwards, he took his first overall win in the VW Polo. Yet his feet remain firmly on the ground, with a challenging series of French events lying ahead against hungry young competitors. Through it all, he can rely on the support of his famous parents.
“My dad gives me a lot of good advice, but in terms of driving style we’re quite different. My style of rally driving is much more the modern way, which is more like circuit racing,” points out Eliott. “And I’ve had my mum with me inside the car as my co-driver for a few events. That’s not a long-term solution and it can sometimes be quite strange, but it’s also good to have a co-driver who knows you really well!”
It also helps to have an experienced manager, Gilles Panizzi, whose “eyes can see around corners” according to the late Richard Burns – Panizzi’s former Peugeot team-mate and 2001 world champion.
“Gilles has been a really solid support, and he has also helped me a lot,” says Eliott. “But in the end, if I am going to make it, I have to deliver. And every day, I’m just focused on working hard to achieve that goal.”