“I still need to drive fast” on Sunday to clinch maiden WRC title
Thierry Neuville says he cannot afford to cruise through the Rally Japan’s final leg to secure a maiden World Rally Championship title following a stirring Saturday fightback. The WRC points leader started Saturday outside the points-paying positions in 15th after Friday’s costly turbo failure dashed hopes of a relatively comfortable run to score the six points […]
Hyundai apologises to Neuville after WRC title blow in Rally Japan
Hyundai has apologised to Thierry Neuville and is planning to change “everything” on his car after a suspected turbo related issue dented his World Rally Championship title hopes in Japan. Championship leader Neuville can clinch the crown by scoring six points at the season finale, but that prospect has been made much tougher after his […]
Neuville unsure if power issue can be fixed at Rally Japan
World Rally Championship title favourite Thierry Neuville believes the power issue suffered on Friday morning at Rally Japan isn’t mechanical but is unsure if it can be fixed. Neuville’s WRC title hopes took a knock when his Hyundai i20 N suddenly slowed during stage four (Shinshiro, 17.41km) costing the Belgian 37.7s to title rival and […]
The WRC title balancing act facing Neuville and Hyundai in Japan
Thierry Neuville has opened up on the balancing act he faces in Japan to secure a maiden World Rally Championship crown and contribute to Hyundai’s manufacturers’ title bid. Neuville heads into the season finale as the heavy favourite to claim what would be a career-defining title, with a 25-point lead over Hyundai team-mate Ott Tanak. […]
Tanak can fight “without hands tied” in WRC title decider
Ott Tanak will be able to fight “without his hands tied” at the World Rally Championship title-deciding Rally Japan, according to Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul. Both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles will go down to the wire on Japan’s asphalt stages this weekend, with the former to be fought between Hyundai team-mates Thierry Neuville […]
If Neuville is “smart» there is «no chance» to win WRC title
Ott Tanak says if team-mate Thierry Neuville is “smart” at the Rally Japan there will be no chance for him to claim a second WRC title despite Hyundai allowing its drivers to fight. Both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles will go down to the wire in Japan next month after last weekend’s dramatic Central European Rally. […]
WRC manufacturers’ title priority despite drivers’ points swing
Ott Tanak says helping Hyundai win the World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title remains his priority despite provisionally reducing team-mate Thierry Neuville’s drivers’ points lead at the Central European Rally. Tanak headed into the WRC’s penultimate round 29 points adrift of Neuville, knowing his team-mate could claim a maiden world title if he outscored him by […]
Neuville knows «what he needs to do” to win WRC title
Thierry Neuville doesn’t need any advice and knows “what he needs to do” to take a maiden World Rally Championship title this weekend, according to Hyundai boss Cyril Abiteboul. Neuville heads into this weekend’s penultimate round of the season in Central Europe knowing he will claim rallying’s ultimate prize if he extends his 29-point lead beyond […]
Consistency Neuville’s first focus as maiden WRC title looms at CER
Thierry Neuville insists his first focus is on delivering a «consistent run» at this week’s Central European Rally as the Hyundai driver closes in on a maiden World Rally Championship crown. Neuville heads into the WRC’s penultimate round, spread across the asphalt roads in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, with a 29-point lead over […]