Neuville didn't expect to be so close to the lead in Croatia

Après 3 rallyes dans cette saison 2022, Hyundai est la seule équipe démunie de victoire. Là où M-Sport et Toyota se sont imposés au Monte-Carlo, en Suède et plus récemment en Croatie, le constructeur sud-coréen n’a toujours pas goûté au champagne du succès affichant même un faible niveau par rapport à ses concurrents.

In Croatia, however, the i20s showed a very different face to that seen in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. If the triumph went to Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota), the Hyundai cars were able to prove themselves competitive. Thierry Neuville certainly finished 3rd, more than 2 minutes behind the Finn, but he was able to challenge him on a few special stages. A sigh of relief for the Belgian after the setbacks at the start of the campaign.

« Emotionally, I experienced ups and downs throughout the weekend, admitted the main person concerned, not spared from mechanical problems. I was afraid of having to abandon because of our technical problems, but we at least brought the car back before another blow. I think we took two minutes of penalties in total. It's a lot, but we knew how to make the most of this situation. I struggled to stay motivated, but I knew I could take something in somehow and we got a small reward. »

Neuville notes progress

Far from Kalle Rovanperä at the finish, Thierry Neuville could have left Croatia with the feeling of new disillusionment. But the Hyundai representative seems to leave with hope for the future even if he is aware of the work to be done to catch up with the competition.

« We have made some progressHe says. We knew we had taken a step forward, but I honestly didn't expect to be this close (outposts). Somehow we believe there is still a gap, there is something left to find and we know what to work on. On the handling side, I think we have progressed a lot. On the balance of the chassis too.

In a sense, we weren't ready for Monte Carlo. We knew that and we were much better prepared for Croatia. However, we must remain realistic. We have taken a step forward, we have come a little closer, but we are not yet at the level both in terms of performance and reliability, since I had problems on the first three rallies. I hope we can improve this by the next meetings. I think we still need to take a few steps forward to win the title »

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