Thierry Neuville: “We had nothing to lose”

The outcome of the 2018 championship will not have been determined in the Power Stage, where bonus points could have changed the situation between Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford), Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Ott Tänak (Toyota). Sixth and then well placed to retain his title, Ogier saw Tänak and Neuville in turn lower their flag by abandoning before the final ES of the Rally from Australia.

A cruel end to the season for Neuville, who led the general classification for a long period, but who seemed to have given up in the final sprint, achieving only one podium in the last six rallies of 2018 (second in Germany).

The Hyundai Motorsport resident saw his hopes largely reduced on Friday in the Antipodes, in the form of a crazy tire on the landing of a jump, dropping him in the standings against his two rivals. And despite a constant attack, the native of Saint-Vith once again failed in his quest for a first world title.

“We gave everything and had to take risks today to try to win the title, admits Neuville while commenting on the events of the last stage. Even if it was just a small chance, we had nothing to lose.

In SS22 the conditions were really bad and we just went wide and hit a tree. The championship was over. This weekend was difficult and tricky, and it’s not the end of the season we wanted, but it’s part of the game.”

Hyundai beaten again

Another disappointment this time in the Manufacturers' standings, since Hyundai Motorsport was unable to score enough points to win Toyota Gazoo Racing, which took the title, 19 years after its last coronation obtained in 1999 with the Corollas of Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol.

The setbacks of Andreas Mikkelsen, who lost concentration on the first day after coming across a tractor at the edge of the special, plus the puncture then the abandonment of Neuville, largely weighed in the balance, Hayden Paddon's podium being only one meager consolation prize for Michel Nandan's men.

“As for the championship, we are of course disappointed, but we gave everything, confesses the French official. It was going to be difficult for Thierry to win the title: he had no choice but to attack.

Rallying is like that and we accept all the emotions that come with it. It was one of the most hotly contested championships in years. The fact that everything is decided on the last day shows how closely the season has been contested. We have the greatest respect for our competitors and congratulations to Sébastien for the Drivers' title and to Toyota. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally Australia, produced by our special correspondent in Coffs Harbour, in issue 2192 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Wednesday on newsstands.