Neuville, king of Catalonia, Evans threatens Ogier

Thierry Neuville was simply untouchable during this Rally from Catalonia! After the 2019 edition, the Belgian signs a new success in Spain, and is ahead of Dani Sordo (Hyundai) and Elfyn Evans (Toyota) who complete the podium. A success which was built from the first stage of an event contested entirely on asphalt.

🇪🇸 VICTORY 🇪🇸

🏆🥇

A big thank you to @MWydaeghe and the @HMSGOfficial team! 🙏🏼

En hora buena Dani Sordo and Cándido Carrera for taking P3! 💪🏼#WRC #RallyRACC #HMSGOfficial #Victory #TeamWork # VivaEspaña pic.twitter.com/v6uFwEjAC1

— Thierry Neuville (@thierryneuville) October 17, 2021

First placed behind the Welshman who signed the first scratches, the five-time vice-champion of WRC increased his pace on Friday afternoon to take the lead on the evening of the first day of this 2021 edition. The Hyundai driver will even have the luxury of signing five consecutive scratches on Saturday, to take the lead in the standings. A lead that he will preserve on Sunday, despite a serious alert linked to starter problems.

“I felt a lot of stress before the last special, declared Thierry Neuville. I had the same problem again which cost us quite a few points during this season. I don't really know what to say now. It spoils the party a little, but it is what it is and we will continue to fight. We have nothing to reproach ourselves for. I expected more joy but worry spoiled the party. »

Sébastien Ogier finished at the foot of the podium at the end of a meeting which should have smiled more on him. In the Championship, the cards are reshuffled. Despite a terrain which, a priori, should have suited him less than Finland, Elfyn Evans continues his approach to Sébastien Ogier. The Welshman is only 17 points behind before the final scheduled for Monza (Italy) in a month. The Gapençais for his part limited the damage by registering a handful of units during the Power Stage, which concluded on a wet road.

“I didn’t take any risks. In the position I am in my time in Power Stage suits me. Things were better this Sunday morning, but Dani was even faster. »

As for WRC2, Éric Camilli and Maxime Vilmot (Citroën) are enjoying Spain. The French duo signs their first success in the category since… Catalonia in autumn 2019. The partial program of the 34-year-old from Nice in the World Cup is very satisfactory, with also a podium acquired in the cold of Monaco (3rd) this winter.

Find it in AUTO issue 2334hebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands, analysis of the Rally of Catalonia by our special correspondent.

Final ranking

General classification Drivers: