Thierry Neuville wins at the wire in Argentina

To believe thatElfyn Evans (Ford) and Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) had done everything to offer the most complete suspense to know the outcome of this Rally of Argentina 2017. At the head of a capital of 11″5 this morning at the start of the last day, Evans had seen his lead reduced to 0″6 before the El Condor – Copina Power Stage, 16,32 long km.

Victim of brake problems at the start of the day in the first pass of El Condor (SS16), Evans still retained his chances of winning against the Neuville – Hyundai tandem. The first partial confirmed this hope, Evans showing himself 3″1 faster than Neuville.

More il manquera toutefois 0″7 à l’arrivée au pilote britannique de M-Sport / Dmack to achieve his first success in WRC. Author of the scratch in the final sector, Neuville scored a double blow by pocketing the rally and bonus points.

“Watching this was the worst moment of my life, commented Neuville. He was faster than me in the first moments of the SS, but I accelerated in the second part. » The Belgian signs his second consecutive success of the year after his victory at the Tour de Corse.

Evans, for his part, regrets a small contact with a bridge in the Power Stage. “I am disappointed to lose by such a small margin, admits Evans. It's difficult right now but I know we can come back stronger.

I made a slight mistake, hitting a bridge halfway through, which probably makes the difference. After counting such a lead on Friday... I have to learn from all of this. »

Ogier misses the podium

Behind the Neuville – Evans tandem, Ott Tänak (Ford) complète le podium de ce Rallye d’Argentine à 29″9 de Neuville. Sébastien Ogier (Ford) échoue à monter sur le podium pour la première fois de l’année, en terminant 4e devant Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota).

Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), despite a power steering problem in the Power Stage, finished sixth ahead of Juho Hänninen (Toyota), Dani Sordo (Hyundai), victim of a puncture in this ES, Mads Ostberg (Ford) and Pontus Tidemand (Skoda), winner in WRC-2.

Sébastien Ogier maintains the advantage in the championship with 102 points, ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala (86), while Thierry Neuville is two points behind the Finn, with 84 points. M-Sport has 162 points among manufacturers ahead of Hyundai (140) and Toyota (99).

Rally Argentina ranking

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally Argentina, produced by our special correspondent in Villa Carlos Paz, in issue 2112 of AUTOhebdo, available from this Tuesday in digital version, and from this Thursday on newsstands.