WRC
Thierry Neuville gives Hyundai a double at Rally Japan
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) launched a big attack to beat the Toyotas. © DPPI
The image is symbolic and will often be viewed with jubilation by the team Hyundai Motorsport this winter. On the lands of Toyota, the South Korean brand recorded the double during the Rally of Japan 2022, the final of the World Rally Championship (WRC), this Sunday, November 13.
Some will take the arrival of rain in the Power Stage as an element to explain the failure of Toyota Gazoo Racing. Certainly, the Japanese had opted for dry asphalt when choosing tires on Sunday morning, unlike the Hyundais who included at least two tires suitable for wet roads.
But either way, the strongest won. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) was more solid than its rival Elfyn Evans. The Welshman, who came within 6 tenths of the Belgian in SS15, went off the road in the following sector following a note error. Thierry Neuville then only had to control his vehicle on the final winding special stages, his lead over his ex-future teammate Ott Tänak having exceeded the minute.
“It wasn't an easy weekend, it wasn't an easy year but it's always great to end the season like that, jubilant Thierry Neuville at the finish. We have to work hard over the winter to prepare well for next year but thank you everyone. »
In front of his home crowd, Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) scored his first podium at world level, just ahead Sébastien Ogier (Toyota). The Frenchman did not experience an easy test for the debut of his new co-driver Vincent Landais (puncture on Friday), but continued to gain positions on the following two stages. “It was difficult to finish the rally with all this rain and without wet tires. We were aquaplaning everywhere, we absolutely couldn't attack. »
Le clan M-Sport Ford consoles itself as best it can, notably with the Power Stage victory of Craig Breen, which had never happened to him before in WRC. For the first time since the Acropolis Rally, Gus Greensmith finishes a rally!
In WRC2, Finnish Emil Lindholm (Skoda) succeeds Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda) on the list of winners. Also registered in this category, the former pilot of Formula 1 Heikki Kovalainen (Skoda) produced a respectable, error-free race and completes the top 10.
ALSO READ > Hyundai will probably never find the cause of the Sordo fire
WRC Rally Japan 2022 Final standings:
Drivers Championship:
Manufacturers' Championship:
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
Read also
Comments
*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!
0 Comment (s)
To write a comment
0 View comments)