Neuville would have liked to see Tänak stay at Hyundai

These are statements that are more surprising than shocking. At the end of the Rally of Catalonia, won by Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville said he would like to have Ott Tänak as a teammate for one more year Hyundai. A desire announced just before the announcement of the divorce between Hyundai and the Estonian world champion. “The question has been raised several times”, confided the Belgian driver when asked about the replacement of Oliver Solberg before learning of Tänak's departure. “A decision has been made, but it belongs to Hyundai. There are many experienced and fast drivers. Andreas [Mikkelsen], Elfyn [Evans] even though I understood he was not available… It's not up to me to make the decision. What I would like is to have Ott as a teammate because he is the strongest teammate I have ever had. It's an additional challenge for me, but it's also motivating. »

Neuville – Tänak, a rivalry under tension at Hyundai

If the statements may be surprising, it is in particular because of the tension which has appeared between the two drivers this season. The Estonian and the Belgian threw several barbs at each other during certain rallies. In Ypres for example, the two teammates attacked one after the other. “I don't really know if Ott has any problems. I think if it has, then I only have three cylinders! ", Thierry Neuville then quipped, after Tänak's complaints about the behavior of his Hyundai i20. Obviously made aware of this little sentence, the latter reacted a few specials later. “I don’t really know,” he replied. As Thierry Neuville said before, I probably don't have a problem. It's a shame what happened, but I think within the team we shouldn't fight among ourselves, but we should fight others. I don't know what he was thinking. » Vibe.

Ott Tänak, who arrived at Hyundai in 2020 with a world champion title, was Thierry Neuville's teammate for 3 seasons. At present, the Belgian is therefore only the only driver confirmed for 2023 at Hyundai. There is still complete uncertainty over the identity of the Korean firm's 2nd and 3rd drivers next season. 

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