Thierry Neuville: “It’s up to us to do the work”

For the first time in his career WRC, Thierry Neuville se présentera en Australie, ultime manche de la saison 2018 du WRC, avec l’opportunité d’être titré. Le Belge de Hyundai Motorsport, deuxième du championnat à trois points de Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford), pourrait bénéficier de sa position sur la route lors de la première étape (qui débutera ce jeudi soir dès 22h heure française et à suivre en direct sur notre site internet) pour tenter de creuser l’écart sur le Français.

The former Citroën driver recalls, however, that he will be relatively new to this type of situation, compared to the experience of his main rival. “Obviously, as Seb mentioned, he has a title, it’s true that we miss that. But for the rest, we are equal with the teams, the cars and the rallies.

Nous savons that it's up to us to do the work. Depending on the weather, which may change things for us or for Seb in a good or bad way, but it won't be too different overall for us. We will give 100% and we hope that we all have a rally clean and a real fight. »

Neuville remains on a less brilliant run than his start to the season, with only one second place in Germany as a top 3 since Finland, when Sébastien Ogier won the Wales GB Rally and took second place in Spain. In any case, the Belgian wishes not to put too much pressure on himself before potentially taking the crown.

“I will do my job to the fullest. The last two rallies have been difficult and this one will be difficult too. We will not give up so close to our main goal. In this situation, there is already something positive in knowing that I have already secured my future. If the championship doesn't go in my favor this year, and I hope it does, I know I'll have more chances coming if that doesn't happen. This relaxes me a little. »