Neuville: “We had to take revenge”

The statistics will remember from this Monte-Carlo 2020 that Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai) equaled the number of victories in the World Rally Championship (WRC) by Petter Solberg and Phil Mills with 13 hits. But the intensity of the event and the relief are the feelings that prevail for the Belgian pilot.

No words needed... #WRC #RallyMonteCarlo #HMSGOfficial #Victory @nicolasgilsoul | @HMSGOfficial pic.twitter.com/jqcAZZuELU

— Thierry Neuville (@thierryneuville) January 26, 2020

The outgoing vice-champion came close to winning several times on one of the most dangerous rallies on the calendar. In 2017, a tiny mistake cost him a suspension and 32 minutes. Then, a Sébastien Ogier imperial had beaten him by just 2″2 two years later.

This time it was the right one! “It’s a victory that we’ve been looking for for a long time., recognized Thierry Neuville. We were, especially last year, very close to success. We had to take revenge. It's done. We are very proud of this victory. »

Logically leader of the championship, the Belgian crew added five bonus points by winning the Power Stage. “Starting the season with 30 points, the maximum, is the best start I’ve ever had (in the WRC).

This is the best start I could imagine. Even if it wasn't a rally easy, the tire choices were a little easier than in 2019. The conditions were very slippery. » 

Thierry Neuville's task was not made easier by the absence of his compatriot and opener Bruno Thiry, held back by a bad flu. “My usual opener, Bruno Thiry, had to be absent this weekend. Dani Sordo replaced him. The first day was not easy but afterward, the collaboration worked very well. »

Discover the analysis of the Monte-Carlo Rally carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2252 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.