Relentless Neuville fends off Evans to hold narrow lead
The title rivals were locked in a titanic scrap across the day’s eight stages, which saw the lead change hands and the margin between the pair never exceeding five seconds, having started Saturday tied on overall times. A maximum attack approach, assisted by a beneficial tyre call in unpredictable weather, ultimately resulted in Hyundai driver […]
Neuville edges clear of Evans, Ogier in pursuit
Neuville and Evans started the day tied for the lead after ending Friday on identical times, and the fiercely competitive battle continued across the morning’s four stages. But it was championship points leader Neuville who had the measure of the Welshman to move into a 4.7s lead as the crews headed for service. Toyota’s Sebastien […]
Neuville, Evans tied for WRC Croatia lead «something special»
Hyundai’s Neuville and Toyota driver Evans incredibly clocked identical overall times to sit tied for the lead on Friday night after 119.74 competitive stage kilometres. Neuville claimed three of the four morning stages on the way to opening up a 10.1-second lead over Evans until a puncture on stage six cost the Belgian valuable time. […]
Neuville, Evans tied for the lead after eight stages
Hyundai’s Neuville and Toyota’s Evans couldn’t be split after 119.74 competitive stage kilometres, ending the day with identical overall times. Neuville had been in control of the rally, winning three of the four morning stages that contributed to a 10.1-second lead over Evans, before knocking a tyre off the rim in stage six. This strife […]
Neuville sets the pace to lead title rival Evans
The Hyundai driver set the pace by winning three of the four stages to open up an 8.6s lead over nearest title rival Evans. Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier coped admirably as stage conditions worsened after every pass to end the loop in third, 21.5s adrift. Hyundai’s Ott Tanak held fourth (+37.3s) despite struggling with […]
Hyundai enacts contingency plan after WRC Kenya fuel issue
Neuville’s i20 N was struck by a fuel system issue at Safari Rally Kenya that ended any hopes of a podium finish. The problem resulted in the Belgian losing more than 10 minutes, dropping from second to fifth overall. At the time Neuville, who leads Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by six points in the championship, felt […]
WRC 2025 rules limbo creating “critical” situation for teams
Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford collectively wrote to the FIA opposing the governing body’s recommendations for next year, that include the removal of hybrid power from Rally1 cars alongside a reduction in aero and power. The thinking behind the FIA’s vision is to bring the Rally1 car more into line with the performance of Rally2 cars, […]
Why tough love has allowed Fourmaux to reach new WRC heights
Three rounds into the 2024 World Rally Championship season, a compelling case could be made for Adrien Fourmaux to be classed as the driver of the season so far. The Frenchman has turned heads on his full-time Rally1 return, exceeding both his and the M-Sport Ford team’s expectations to sit third in the championship standings. […]
Ireland’s bid to rejoin the WRC in 2025 halted
Ireland had tabled a bid to secure a three-year contract to host the WRC, beginning from 2025, which planned to bring the championship back to the country for the first time since 2009. Motorsport Ireland announced in January a plan to rotate the rally through three locations; Waterford, Kerry and Limerick, across the three-year deal, should […]