Motorsport
Neuville: No reason why Hyundai cannot challenge WRC rivals Toyota in Sardinia
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Thierry Neuville sees no reason why Hyundai cannot stop Toyota’s domination of the World Rally Championship when the series heads to Sardinia for round six this week.
The Korean-German manufacturer is yet to get off the mark this season having witnessed their Japanese win all five rounds of the championship to date.
However, the have showed signs they are edging closer to ending that streak of victories last time out in Portugal, with Ott Tanak close to a likely win.
A power steering issue ultimately dashed any victory hopes, but the Estonian did recover to finish second 8.7s behind rally winner Sebastien Ogier.
Reigning world champion Neuville finished fourth in Portugal but was encouraged by the speed of the upgraded i20 N Rally1 on its gravel debut.
Hyundai used homologation jokers in the off season to reduce the car’s overall weight and improve the i20 N Rally1 car’s suspension and transmission.
“I think the car was fast. I was using a different setting especially at the front compared to Ott, so I will try this as well to see how it performs and maybe this is the little thing that is missing to go as fast as Ott,” said Neuville.
“There was not a big struggle to be honest I was struggling a bit with the rear of the car it was bit loose, but overall the performance was there and the times were good.
“I think overall we can be satisfied. There are a few things I will try before Sardinia to get a bit more speed from the car because driving-wise we were absolutely on it and sometimes for my liking taking too much risks so if we can find that little bit more performance we will be a bit more comfortable in Sardinia and benefit from the road position.”
Neuville’s run to fourth in Portugal helped close the gap to championship leader Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by 10 points with the Belgian now 40 points adrift heading into Sardinia.
Sardinia will offer up another series of rough gravel stages this weekend with crews set to tackle 16 tests, beginning on Friday morning.
The Italian island has however been kind to Hyundai with the brand only defeated twice since 2016.
“I think so,” added Neuville when asked if Hyundai can stop Toyota’s victory run. “Fifth on the road is a good position. There will be some other drivers who will be fast again and we will see. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be fast."
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