Thierry Neuville "extremely frustrated" after a difficult Rally Sweden

At the end of a demanding race held on the icy roads of Sweden, Thierry Neuville He did not hide his disappointment in his interview with AUTOhebdo. While the victory at the end of the Power Stage salvaged some pride, the 2024 world champion had hoped for more from an event where he had performed well in the past.

"It's really great, because it's been a long time since we won a Power Stage, and to be able to do it here on a..." rally "It's also difficult to end on a small, positive note, I would say.", he puts things into perspective. “Now, we are obviously very disappointed, extremely frustrated, because it was another difficult weekend. And there you have it, we came with more hope, always hoping we had found something that would allow us to improve a little bit. But it's strange, last year here, we finished 11 seconds off the lead, I think, and this year we are far, far, far behind.”

Faced with Toyota particularly sharp on snow, the pilot Hyundai admits to not having found the key. The discrepancies, particularly under conditions comparable to those of previous editions, raise questions: "You just have to compare the times with previous years, in special stages where the conditions were more or less equivalent. We're more or less at the same speed, but they're faster. On the other hand, we're at the same speed, but we're having a lot more close calls than last year."

Penalties imposed on Neuville in Sweden

The Swedish weekend was also marked by a penalty and a fine related to a helmet that wasn't properly fastened before the start of SS15. This situation sparked rumors suggesting that, in the cold, the Belgian driver hadn't been able to properly feel the chin strap of his helmet. These rumors were quickly dismissed by the driver himself. "I don't know where this information came from; in any case, it didn't come from me." He then specified the exact circumstances: “The real reason is simply that we arrived late at the TC. I put on my helmet between the check-in and the start of the special stage. I thought the helmets were closed-face, but the proof is that they weren't. I was the first to be surprised when I learned that there was an additional penalty and fine. It's the first time, actually.”

Regarding the double penalty itself, the tone remains measured: “There are regulations […], it stipulates that there would be a penalty. After that, it’s up to the judge to decide. Each rally, it evolves a little. It depends on the wishes of those who decide. […] I think the important thing is that no one in these situations does it on purpose. For me, first and foremost, it’s for my safety. So, I always want my safety, and that of others for that matter, to be as safe as possible. Now, we’re not going to debate that. I think we’re setting an example for others. We’re very careful about that, but an oversight can happen.” The incident, without major sporting consequences, nevertheless illustrates the tension of a weekend where every detail counted.

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The next round of the championship will take place in Kenya, on the formidable tracks of the Safari Rally. It's terrain that Thierry Neuville appreciates for its demanding nature, but which has often caused him problems. “It’s a rally I really enjoy because it’s a rally of endurance and management. But it’s a rally that has never been kind to us. I’m thinking of 8 punctures last year, transmission problems. The same in previous years. […] We had a string of problems in Kenya.”

“We have to hope that this year will finally be a better year. We made it to the podium last year, but with a lot of difficulties. […] As long as there is hope, there is life. We have to summon all this courage today to keep working. Above all, I don’t want to give up now.” After the disappointment in Sweden, the objective will be twofold: to rediscover pure performance and to break the spell in an African event where management and reliability are paramount. Kenya could already have a significant impact on the early season momentum.

Interview by Pierre Barré, special correspondent in Umeå, Sweden.