Thierry Neuville: “There is always a chance to win the championship”

Third of Rally of Germany this morning, in front of his rival Sébastien Ogier (ford), Thierry Neuville could approach Saturday with confidence. However, at the end of the first Arena Panzerplatte special, only 2,87 km long, the Belgian saw his stage come to an abrupt end.

La Hyundai i20 n°5 appeared at the end of the SS with a wandering left rear wheel. The reason ? A passage through a rope, without significant shock, but which caused Neuville to abandon. “We hit a rope in the first stage, and we damaged the suspension at the left rear wheel.

Abandonment was inevitable, there was no possibility of repair. It was a slow turn, and there was no impact before. It's not a problem with notes and I knew the bend well. I didn't expect such damage. »

In the event of a good result, Sébastien Ogier can now take a first important advantage with a view to the world title, but Neuville remains confident for the rest of the championship. “It’s disappointing of course, but it could have been worse. There are three rallies left, so there is still a chance to win the championship. »

The Belgian also admitted to the audience that he hoped that Mikkelsen would stay between the two Ford Fiestas of Thank you and Ogier to take points from his rival.