BP-Ford World Rally Team co-driver Stéphane Prévot has withdrawn from the Rally Japan following a family bereavement. His position as co-driver for François Duval will be taken by Philippe Droeven.

Thirty-five-year-old Prévot had already arrived in Obihiro to begin preparations for this 11th round of the FIA World Rally Championship but left to return home to Belgium last night.

Forty-two-year-old Droeven, from Belgium, is an experienced co-driver who partnered Duval for three events during the early part of his career. He co-drove for fellow countryman Dominique Bruyneel on many European Championship events between 1998 and 2002. This year he is competing in the French Championship with Emmanuel Guigou.

This will be Droeven's third world rally. He partnered Larry Cols on the 1998 Monte Carlo Rally and Bruyneel on the Catalunya Rally in 2000, retiring on both occasions.

BP-Ford World Rally Team would like to pass on its condolences to Stéphane and his family.