Adrien Fourmaux, fourth in Portugal: "It really does the team a lot of good."

Sunday was the day of the rebound for Adrien fourmauxAfter a difficult weekend marked by a puncture and setup choices that prevented him from showing his true pace, the Frenchman rediscovered his form in the last two stages by reverting to his Friday setup. A simple adjustment that changed everything: “I found my rhythm again, even in the mud. I should have maintained that even yesterday afternoon, it’s a shame, it’s a bit regrettable. We could perhaps have battled a bit more with Elfyn [Evans].”"He explained this to AUTOhebdo. The clarity of his analysis speaks volumes about the frustration of missing out on a result that could have been even better with a better understanding of the situation the day before."

But in this Rally from chaotic Portugal where rain and mud hit all the leaders without exception, the driver Hyundai He chooses to focus on what he brings back rather than regretting what he has lost. Winning the Power Stage earns him five additional points, bringing his total to 20 for the day: "Given where we were this morning, frankly I'll take anything." A pragmatic philosophy in a championship where points recovered on bad days often make the difference over the course of a season.

Hyundai back on top

Beyond his own result, Adrien Fourmaux is delighted with his teammate's victory, the first win for a Hyundai in several rounds: “Congratulations to Thierry [Neuvilleand to the whole team. It was a real team effort to get here to Earth, to make sure we were ready, at least for these events that we couldn't afford to miss. It's really good for the team. A strong signal sent to Toyota before a series of dirt rounds that look favorable for Hyundai.

Because the French driver is convinced that the dynamics of the championship will change. The majority of the upcoming rallies will be held on gravel — with the exception of Japan — and it is precisely on this surface that Hyundai feels most comfortable against Toyota: "On gravel, we knew we were competitive and that the main problem was the asphalt. I think I'll go back to the basics from last year's Japan and give it my all."

This suggests that the championship battle, currently led by Elfyn Evans with 123 points, could tighten in the coming weeks. Before that, a well-deserved week of rest. "I have a week of racing, a week of testing, another week of racing, I haven't stopped. I'm quite tired, I need to rest before Japan." The next event for the Frenchman will be from May 28th to 31st for the Japanese leg.

Interview conducted by Pierre Barré, in Portugal.

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