WRC
Thierry Neuville finishes the second stage of the Rally Japan in the lead
© DPPI / N. Natikis
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) appartient à ce type de pilotes qui aiment bien casser l’ambiance, avec fair-play toutefois. Le Belge s’est donné les moyens de venir perturber la grande fête que devait être ce Rally du Japon 2022 pour l’équipe rivale et locale Toyota en prenant les devants sur cette deuxième étape de la finale de la saison du Championnat du monde des rallyes (WRC).
The spearhead of the South Korean team had already appeared threatening during the first stage, finishing on the heels of the leader, Elfyn Evans (Toyota). The second day allowed him to pick up the pace, thanks to newfound confidence in the settings of his Hyundai i20 Rally1 hybrid.
In a curious pendulum swing, Elfyn Evans lost more and more confidence behind the wheel of his Toyota Yaris precisely when the multiple vice-world champion was making his effort on the winding asphalt stages. During the Saturday afternoon loop, the Francophone constantly beat his Welsh opponent!
Within Toyota Gazoo Racing, it's almost a nightmare because outgoing champion Kalle Rovanperä has gone through an ordeal. The Finn was guilty of a slight exit from the road in the first section of the day, which caused a puncture and then damage to his left rear wheel. He is no longer even in the top 10 in the general ranking.
His teammate and predecessor on the table of champions WRC, Sébastien Ogier, s’est remis en selle au lendemain d’une crevaison. Le Français est remonté jusqu’au cinquième rang, et se situe avec une avance confortable sur l’unique M-Sport Ford présente dans les points, celle de Gus Greensmith. Sébastien Ogier a par ailleurs remporté deux spéciales de l’après-midi, preuve de son aisance avec son nouveau copilote, Vincent Landais (emprunté à Pierre-Louis Loubet).
The third step of the podium is firmly held by Ott Tänak, who is undoubtedly looking to find a steering wheel for next year rather than thanking his former future employer Hyundai with this performance. Stage local Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) is at the foot of the podium.
In WRC2, the advantage goes to Emil Lindholm (Skoda). In this position, the Finn would be crowned for the first time in the category, Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda) being absent and Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Skoda) not having restarted after an accident on Friday.
WRC Rally Japan 2022 Ranking Stage 2:
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!
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