Метка: wrc

M-Sport to launch behind-the-scenes WRC docuseries

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO



A new World Rally Championship docuseries will launch later this month, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at M-Sport Ford’s 2024 campaign.

The series titled ‘More than Machine’, produced in partnership with team sponsor SafetyCulture by Superlative Films, is a six-part documentary that follows the daily lives of M-Sport’s drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Gregoire Munster, engineers, technicians and other team members through this year’s 13-round WRC season.

The trailer for the series – to be broadcast through the WRC’s YouTube channel – has been released today with the first episode, which follows the team’s progress through Safari Rally Kenya, to be launched on August 22.

Behind-the-scenes sporting documentaries have grown in popularity in recent years with Formula 1’s Netflix ‘Drive to Survive’ series the catalyst for a range of spin-off series in various sports. This is the first time the WRC has dabbled in the genre through a major production by an independent filmmaker.

According to M-Sport, one of the key objectives of the docuseries is to “bring never-before-told stories to life”, with the series focussing on not only the drivers but several team members ranging from co-drivers, weather crews, mechanics and physiotherapists.

“We’re very lucky to have this opportunity to tell all the incredible stories behind our fantastic team,” said M-Sport team principal Richard Millener.

 

“On rallies, there’s so much that happens behind the scenes in the service park that the fans don’t get to see, and I believe this series will do a lot to bring people even closer to the sport.”

“We’re only really scratching the surface, but by telling these stories and getting to know the people who run the cars and make the rally happen, we’re opening ourselves up to an even bigger fan base.

“There are real, human stories to tell here, and I’m so pleased we’re now able to document them.”

M-Sport founder, Malcolm Wilson, added: “Up until now the WRC has not delved into the backstories of the people who make the operation work, so having the chance to show this to a global audience is something very special. I hope everyone enjoys watching our journeys in WRC as much as we have enjoyed working with the production team on it.”



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Sordo to make WRC return for Hyundai in Greece

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Dani Sordo will contest another World Rally Championship event this year after confirmation Hyundai has selected the veteran to pilot its third entry at next month’s Acropolis Rally Greece.

Sordo’s immediate WRC future had been unknown, with the Spaniard revealing earlier this season that he had only two outings planned with the Korean marque.

Those two appearances in Portugal in May and June’s Rally Italia Sardinia yielded fifth and third places finishes respectively. The 41-year-old hinted in Sardinia the rally could be his last WRC outing.   

“I don’t know if you will see me again, let’s see,” said Sordo when asked at the end of the Power Stage when he would be back. “I have two rallies this year, I don’t want to talk about it now, so let’s see. I will finish this rally with a podium, and this will make me happy.”

However, following today’s release of the Acropolis Rally Greece entry list, Sordo will be handed another opportunity this season to pilot Hyundai’s third i20 N Rally1 at the 5-8 September event.

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Hyundai had selected Sordo for the previous three visits to Greece, where he finished third in those last two editions of the tough gravel rally.

Sordo has been active since his last outing in Sardinia having contested the USA’s famous Pikes Peak hillclimb, winning the Exhibition class driving a modified electric-powered IONIQ 5 N TA. Sordo also made an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and won the Rallye Blendio Cristian Lopez Herrero asphalt event in his native Spain earlier this month.

The entry list also confirms that M-Sport will field a third Ford Puma Rally1 for Greek gentleman driver Jourdan Serderidis to ensure nine Rally1 cars are set to tackle the event’s 15 stages.

Earlier today, Toyota announced its line-up, confirming that eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier will drive its third GR Yaris.  

After scoring an impressive fourth on his Rally1 debut in Finland, Sami Pajari will return to Rally2 machinery to head up the WRC2 field. Championship leader Oliver Solberg has opted to sit this round out.



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Ogier set to tackle WRC Acropolis Rally Greece

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Toyota has confirmed that Sebastien Ogier will be part of its World Rally Championship line-up for next month’s Acropolis Rally Greece.

The eight-time world champion had been tipped to start the rough gravel rally from 5-8 September to assist Toyota’s push to retain its WRC constructors’ title.

Toyota has now announced its line-up for the event, fielding three GR Yaris Rally1s, with part-time driver Ogier joining full-timers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta.

The Acropolis Rally featured as part of Ogier’s partial season last year when he finished 10th after leading the event before a double rear puncture and left rear suspension failure forced the Frenchman to retire from Saturday’s action.

Ogier’s plans beyond Greece are yet to be confirmed although the Frenchman admitted in Finland that he was coming under pressure to contest the remaining four events in Greece, Chile, Central Europe and Japan now he is sitting second on the championship standings, 27 points behind Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.

Ogier has contested six events this year scoring three wins (Croatia, Portugal, Finland) and three second-place finishes (Monte Carlo, Sardinia, Latvia).

Speaking to Motorsport.com after winning Rally Finland earlier this month, Ogier said: “I think we’re going to have more and more pressure to do that [the rest of the year and going for the title] anyway, inside me, I don’t really have it yet, this wish, this feeling because I don’t value those things [titles] as much as people think maybe.”

Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, Team principal Toyota Gazoo Racing

Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, Team principal Toyota Gazoo Racing

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala told Motorsport.com that he has asked Ogier to drive more events and expects a decision from his driver soon.

“With Seb, I have mentioned that I would like him to drive more events. I’m waiting for his answer, but I think the chance he is now in the championship as he is second, we should try to keep the fight on and let him drive all the events,” said Latvala.

“It’s a very difficult situation, but at least we need to keep trying. Without trying, we cannot win anything.”

Toyota will head to Greece sitting 20 points behind rivals Hyundai in the manufacturers’ championship.



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How the WRC plans to lift the lid on untold stories

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Ever wondered why a World Rally Championship driver is faster than another on a stage? From next season some of those answers will come to light through the championship’s new Command Centre concept.

For rally fans of a certain generation, Virtual Spectator provided the first clear opportunity to understand and compare drivers on a rally stage. The technology created a virtual map of the stage with cars overlayed on top of each other, which was a feature of the broadcast in the early 2000s, providing an easy way to digest multiple drivers’ progress on a stage.

The WRC now plans to bring even more data to television screens from 2025 to help lift the lid on unfolding stories and offer more insight and information, to improve its storytelling of rallies and offer more data to the teams.

Earlier this year the WRC revealed plans for its concept dubbed the ‘Command Centre’. The WRC Promoter has been working with teams and manufacturers to extract more data out of the cars and increase live interaction between the crews and their teams through Formula 1-style team radio.

Testing of the system began this summer and has now reached a point where the system is being evaluated on WRC events, with Martins Sesks’ M-Sport Ford Puma running the system in Latvia while Toyota’s Sami Pajari tested the concept in Finland last weekend.

Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

“Basically, what this [system] can do is the teams, us and the fans at home can feel more aware of what is going on with these cars,” said WRC event promoter Simon Larkin.

“We want to provide useful data but what we don’t want to get to a point where that data can be analysed by an additional performance engineer or a data analyst, because those who have money will spend money on it. We are going to do this in a rational way. We want it to be useful – keep cars in the rally but not add cost.

“We want try to have some data and we want to have some story.”

What is being developed and how will it work?

The WRC plans to launch its “Command Centre” from the opening round of the 2025 championship in Monte Carlo with the data and live team radio featuring as part of its international feed. The WRC Promoter has enlisted former Hyundai WRC team principal Andrea Adamo to oversee the concept’s development.

Motorsport has become a more data-driven sport over the years, with this now being translated to television broadcasts to help viewers better understand the action they are watching — whether it is seeing when a driver is accelerating or braking, or data that can determine when a driver will be in striking distance for an overtake in Formula 1, for example.

In the WRC, there currently is much less data available for the broadcast despite Rally1 cars having 104 sensors that already produce data monitored by the FIA.

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

The WRC’s Command Centre plans to capture, monitor and provide a portion of this data to the television broadcast and to teams. These sensors monitor inputs such as engine revs, gear selection, acceleration, brake pressure, tyre pressure, tyre temperatures, steering angle, the way hybrid power is being deployed and regenerated. It can also assist from a safety side by recording the g-force and direction of impacts.

One of the areas also being developed is the capability for the system to display what tyres a crew is using and how many kilometres the rubber has completed to help explain tyre strategies.

The WRC currently has a team radio system in action that is not currently offered to the broadcast, which it plans to further develop before next year’s launch.

It is this data combined with team radio communications from crews that the WRC wants to provide to teams and present in an easily digestible way to viewers to help explain what is going on during the stages.

How will the data reach the TV screen?

Broadcasting rallies is far more complicated that circuit racing given the distances and terrain the cars are travelling. Currently the live coverage provided by Rally.TV is beamed from onboard cameras, helicopter cameras and camera crews on the ground to an antenna on a private light aircraft flying above the stages, that ingests the footage.

WRC TV helicopter

WRC TV helicopter

Photo by: WRC.com

The ultimate plan is for this new raft of data from the cars to be beamed to the aircraft just like the rest of its vision. During the testing and development of the system, cars are being fitted with a Marelli smart antenna and a sim card, a system currently used in the World Endurance Championship and Formula E, that will transmit the data using LTE [a 4G mobile phone network], which is then interpreted and displayed live using computer software.

“This system can allow us to have a clear understanding of what is going on [with the cars],» explains Adamo. “If you have a car that is stopped somewhere you know why.

“It is good for the broadcast as we can understand immediately what is happening. Of course, it is an ongoing process, and we have to understand how to create the best window to follow not just one car as we would have 10 or 12 or as many as we have in the future.

“The target is to have a room where we will have different windows and screens for cars with clear pop-up alarms [that will appear on screen] that can immediately let us know if there is an issue with a car. Then we can inform the broadcaster that something is happening with a car and follow it closely and understand what is going on.”

How will the data benefit fans and teams?

Access to this live data has the potential to offer benefits to the fans and the teams. The information transmitted from the cars will provide much more insight if a crew has suffered an issue instead of waiting until television crews conduct stage end interviews with the drivers.

Tyre and hybrid deployment strategies will become much clearer to the viewers and, in theory, accurate comparisons between drivers through certain sections of stages to understand why a certain crew was faster or slower can be offered to viewers and explained by an analyst. It could provide the WRC an answer to Sky Sports F1’s Sky Pad analysis of incidents — a modern-day and more advanced version of Virtual Spectator.

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

“What you can do with this data is nice stories between stages comparing the behaviour of the different cars along the stage,” says Adamo. “You can compare the different ways drivers are using the hybrid system, you can understand why one driver was faster in the first part of a stage than the others for example and the way they are managing tyre temperatures and tyre pressures and see the difference in performances.

“There are many things thanks to the data that you can develop and make stories and keep the fans informed and explain to them things that at the moment we are not able to understand because we are blind.”

It’s not just the fans that stand to benefit as teams having access to more live data could help keep cars in rallies if they are able to diagnose an issue from the data and communicate to the crews how to fix the problem.

“For the engineers it would be good because there could be some easy things that can be fixed by the driver,” Adamo added. “For example, when I was at Hyundai we have had some problems in the past that could have been solved easily if we knew what was going on. To lose a car for stupid things is a pity nowadays.”

The WRC plans to continue its development of the system before its 2025 rollout. It is anticipated that a car from Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford each will run the system and the team radio at the Central European Rally in October.

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Hyundai “making big efforts” to solve “peaky” WRC car

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Hyundai’s revised 2025 World Rally Championship car will address some of its current “peaky” handling issues, with the team “making big efforts” to find solutions.

The i20 N has proven to be fast and more reliable this year but its optimum operating window is narrow which has frustrated drivers.

In low grip and changeable conditions the car has struggled to consistently perform, with the Toyota arguably the benchmark in such scenarios.

At last weekend’s Rally Finland, Thierry Neuville and Esapekka Lappi struggled for ultimate performance and were forced into trying several set-ups to tame the i20 N. Neuville said that the team “turned the car upside down and we couldn’t find anything that gave us more performance” on his run to second overall.

Team principal Cyril Abiteboul is fully aware of the “peaky” nature of its WRC car and has assured the team it is working to find solutions through much publicised upgrades for next year, while the squad has already planned some tests designed to resolve the i20 N’s problems.

“We have a car that is suffering two things, first it is quite peaky. The operating window of whatever set up is very narrow and when we have stable condition, it can be all good, all nice, from Thursday shakedown to Sunday evening or whatever the end of the rally, but in a rally like this one where the conditions are almost changing by corner it doesn’t work, it simply does not work,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

“In slippery conditions we are not quite as stable as benchmark, which for me is the Toyota. I think it’s clear that we’ve got some work to do again.

“First, finding a wider operating window and secondly, work on low grip conditions. Some of that we are trying to address is in what we have in the pipeline for next year’s car, but some of that is still not totally addressed, but we are making big efforts.

“We have got some tests that are planned in order to try to bring some solution to those problems.”

Despite the balance issues in Finland, Hyundai managed to open up a 20-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship with four rounds remaining, after Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans suffered retirements last Sunday.

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Third car strategy the main doubt over Hyundai’s 2025 WRC driver line-up

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Hyundai’s strategy for its third car is the “main question mark” regarding its 2025 World Rally Championship driver line-up, says team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

The Korean marque has fielded three i20 N Rally1s this season with two of those driven by full-time drivers in Thierry Neuville and 2019 world champion Ott Tanak, with its third car split across Esapekka Lappi, Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo.

Hyundai is yet to confirm its driver plans for next season with championship leader Neuville’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season, while the team has an option to extend Tanak’s contract after rejoining the squad from M-Sport this year.

Abiteboul says there is an ongoing process regarding its driver line-up for next year with the main focus on plans for the third car.

“There is an ongoing process. We are talking about next year [with Thierry], he knows the place, we know him, it is a winning pair, so why would we change it?” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

Neuville was quizzed about his future, adding: “There is no update, but I’m not too concerned anymore.”

When asked specifically about Tanak’s future, Abiteboul said: “There is an option, and we will talk about that. I think we enjoy working together, so I think an option would be something pretty natural to be exercised.”

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

But in terms of the third car, Abiteboul is keen to “explore scenarios”, having opted to run Mikkelsen largely on asphalt events this year (Monte Carlo, Croatia), with Sweden and gravel rallies, apart from Poland, split between veteran Sordo (Portugal, Sardinia) and Lappi (Sweden, Kenya, Latvia and Finland).

Lappi has scored the most points to date with 33 from four events, including 19 from winning Rally Sweden. Mikkelsen has scored 29 points while Sordo has accrued 27 from only two events.

“The main question mark for us would be the strategy on the third car,” said Abiteboul. “As for the third car I’m at a point where I want to explore scenarios. I want to be open-minded about what to do and reflect on what we did this year and assess if we have done the right thing and if it is the right thing to carry over into next year.”

Should Hyundai wish to opt for an alternative strategy and look outside its current drivers for next year, there could be various options. The team was last year linked with M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux, who is enjoying his best WRC season to date, headlined by four third-place finishes.

When asked if he had started talks about his 2025 plans, Fourmaux said: “I think it is the moment where we start the discussion. First of all, I hope I will be in a Rally1 car next year.

“As a driver, you need to be talking with everybody, and if you want to be a Rally1 driver there are three teams, so you need to speak with the three teams.”

It is likely all WRC teams will be keeping an eye on WRC2 leader Oliver Solberg, who harbours a wish to return to a Rally1 car in the future following his part-time campaign with Hyundai in 2022.

“To be honest, I don’t know anything about next year. I have a lot of dreams and a lot of goals, but I have nothing yet,” said Solberg.

“Of course, I’m only 22 and the dream is to be back in a Rally1 obviously, but I don’t think about it too much. I will do my best now and can only focus on that.”



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Pajari among Toyota’s driver options for WRC in 2025

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Sami Pajari is a potential driver option for Toyota in the World Rally Championship next year following an impressive Rally1 debut in Finland, according to team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.

Toyota handed WRC2 title contenders Pajari and co-driver Enni Malkonen an opportunity to showcase their potential piloting a fifth GR Yaris Rally1 car in last weekend’s Rally Finland.

The duo turned heads by finishing fourth overall while claiming a maiden stage win by setting a fastest time on stage nine [Ruuhimaki].

The strong finish to the event came after Pajari was caught out by the tricky wet conditions on stage two, which resulted in a wild moment that damaged the rear of his car.

His performance across the 20 stages has impressed Latvala, who said that it showed Pajari had the potential to be a full-time Rally1 driver in the future.

“They did a great job, I think. It was a difficult start on the first stage, and it was looking not so promising. But the way he was able to put himself together, he then became very strong and got a fastest stage time,” Latvala told Motorsport.com.

“He’s very strong on the mental side, which was really good to see. I think he really showed his potential to be, let’s say, a full-time Rally1 driver.

“At the moment his focus is on WRC2 because we want him to try to fight for the championship. He still has a chance, and we want him to concentrate on that. But of course, we are talking about what we would do with him for next year.”

Sami Pajari, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Sami Pajari, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Toyota is yet to confirm its full driver line-up for next year, although Kalle Rovanpera signed a multi-year deal last year, which included a return to a full-time campaign next year.

«I think it normally start after Rally Finland so when you have to start looking at the contracts for the for the next year,» he added. «So of course, at the moment I think we are in quite a good position.

«We will try to keep the drivers for sure. But then there are a few question marks like what Seb wants to do, does he want to drive next year? And then of course with Sami and so on, so there are a few points which we need to start clearing.»

When asked if Pajari was among the team’s options to consider for next year, he added: “Yes. Of course, we need to look and think about it.”

Pajari declared himself happy with his Rally Finland performance but is conscious of the fact that there is room for improvement.

“There are so many emotions it’s not so easy to pick the one which is on top,” said Pajari.

“Of course, I’m really, really happy for the big performance that we had and this result is really acceptable on the first rally in Rally1, and also one stage win is, let’s say, a cherry on the top of the cake. But there are a lot of things that I would like to do much better. There is always room to improve.

“The emotions are a bit mixed. The result on paper is really nice, but if you look at the fact that Kalle retired [from the lead] on the second-to-last stage, I’m not so able to feel happy, as for the team it is a big loss – and for Kalle himself. But I think this shows how tricky this rally has been. Many, many drivers had some troubles on the way.”

Pajari admitted he would like to make a Rally1 return “very soon” but remains focused on fighting for the WRC2 title.

“I hope very soon [to be back in a Rally1 car] after driving one week with this car, it is so amazing, and it is something I would really like to do as soon as possible,” he added.

“The main goal for this season is we are doing the full WRC2 campaign, and the championship fight is still on a good level for us.”

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Neuville sees Ogier as WRC title rival after Finland rollercoaster

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World Rally Championship leader Thierry Neuville sees Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier as his main title rival despite the latter yet to officially commit to the remaining rounds.

The WRC title race has a different complexion after a Rally Finland Neuville described as a «roller coaster of emotions» that has left the Belgian with a 27-point lead in the standings.

That lead is now over eight-time world champion Ogier, who is contesting a part-time campaign this year, which has yielded three wins and three second place finishes from his six rounds to date.

Ogier won last weekend’s Rally Finland claiming 24 points [18 on Saturday, five on Super Sunday and one on the Power Stage] which helped the Frenchman climb above full-timers Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and Hyundai’s Ott Tanak in the championship standings. Evans and Tanak both left Finland empty-handed after crashes and are now 36 and 31 points behind respectively.

Ogier has been asked by Toyota to drive the remaining events — Greece, Chile, Central Europe and Japan — with the Frenchman, who said he is yet to get a «feeling» for a ninth world title push, expected to make a decision in the next two weeks.

Neuville however has sights already fixed on Ogier as his title rival.

When asked who his main rival is after Finland, Neuville said: «Number two, which is Mr Ogier at the moment.

«He may not feel it [like pushing for a title] but he has been there on the last rallies and he’s fighting for every single point. For sure [I’m thinking about him].»

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Neuville’s Rally Finland had seemed like a damage limitation exercise as the Belgian struggled to find confidence behind the wheel of his i20 N.

However, shock retirements for long-time leader Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans on the penultimate stage earned Neuville 24 points, boosted by scoring eight of the 12 points available for Super Sunday.

Despite the challenges he faced with his car, Neuville felt his clever approach paid dividends in the circumstances.

«It was a pure roller coaster of emotions this weekend. We had high hopes, but somehow we realised already in shakedown that things were not working as we would like and it could be a challenging weekend, which it was,» he added.

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«The performance wasn’t great all the time, it was a bit up and down and they were challenging [wet] conditions to drive in. We understood quickly that we had to have a clever approach and focus on bringing home important points.

«Our two team-mates that crashed out on Friday gave us a lot of pressure because the team desperately needed a car in the points, but we constantly managed and changed our approach according to the situation.»



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Evans’ WRC title hopes “difficult” after Finland crash

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Elfyn Evans admitted it is “looking difficult” to claim a maiden World Rally Championship title after leaving Rally Finland without scoring any points.

The Toyota driver has dropped to fourth in the standings, 36 points adrift of championship leader Thierry Neuville after crashing out on the penultimate stage.

Evans was firmly in the victory hunt after trailing then leader and team-mate Kalle Rovanpera by eight seconds at the end of Friday.

However, the Welshman’s rally began to unravel when his GR Yaris suffered a driveshaft failure on Saturday morning. Evans incurred a 2m40s penalty for being 16 minutes late out of the midday service following a lengthy repair that put him outside of the points-paying positions at the end of Saturday.

Evans attempted to salvage his weekend by challenging for Super Sunday points before being caught out by the first corner on stage 19 that resulted in a rally-ending accident.

“It was a corner we managed quite OK in the morning [loop]. But I had a bit of understeer in the ruts in the afternoon, and we were caught out from there really,” said Evans.

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“It feels like a bit of a clumsy accident looking back at it, but there wasn’t anything I could do to save it.

“We know that it’s a tricky corner anyway, but unfortunately it was more the way the car reacted in the rut more than the ultimate speed, it is one of those things.”

With Evans on the sidelines and rally leader Rovanpera crashing out, Neuville left the rally with a healthy haul of 23 points.

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While Evans conceded his title bid has been damaged, the Toyota driver is not giving up on the championship aspirations with four events in Greece, Chile, Central Europe and Japan remaining.

“For the championship, it is looking difficult now and we’ve definitely done a lot of damage this weekend. In the end we had to give it a shot, let’s say, but for the rest of the year, it still all open, and we’ll continue to give our best until the end,” Evans added.

“We know things can change quickly, but with four rounds to go the chances of clawing that deficit back is less and less, but we still have to give our all to the end.”



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