Neuville and Hyundai focused 100% on the Manufacturers’ title

It remained almost impossible to Thierry Neuville to maintain his title chances before the Rally of Catalonia, in view of the delay accumulated on Ott Tänak (Toyota) avant l’épreuve disputée autour de Salou.

Une illusion désormais envolée pour le Belge de Hyundai Motorsport, l’Estonien ayant validé sa couronne 2019 avec sa deuxième place finale en Espagne hier, agrémentée d’un succès dans la Power Stage.

The whole clan Hyundai Motorsport is now focused on the last objective of the year, the Manufacturers’ title.

“This result rewards the efforts of the entire team to improve our performances throughout the season, underlines Andrea Adamo, boss of Hyundai Motorsport. Our car showed its strength on gravel and tarmac this weekend and we are now ready for the final fight.

We gleaned an important result today, but the final calculations will only be made after the Power Stage in Australia. »

A test that Hyundai will approach with an 18-point lead over Toyota. But with Ott Tänak freed from all pressure for the world title, competition promises to be tough for the Korean brand.

“We are now fully focused on the fight among the Manufacturers, Neuville advances. We took some good points this weekend and increased our lead, but now there is a crucial rally coming up in Australia to finish the job.

The car has been fast on all terrains in recent rallies and we can head into the season finale in a positive frame of mind. »

If Neuville had triumphed at the Antipodes in 2017, the Belgian, in the fight for the world title, was forced to retire last year. And Hyundai will really need its leader to finally display the laurels awaited since the return to WRC of the firm in 2014.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally of Catalonia, produced by our special correspondent in Salou, in issue 2240 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Wednesday on newsstands.