Thierry Neuville has vowed to “come again stronger” after a expensive remaining stage mistake let slip a possible first win of the World Rally Championship season for Hyundai in Croatia.
The 2024 world champion had been afforded the posh to again off by Sunday’s asphalt phases having constructed a lead of greater than a minute, and appeared on target to finish Hyundai’s winless begin to 2026.
Nevertheless, Neuville was caught out by a bit on the ultimate stage which resulted in an influence to the entrance proper of his i20 N that prompted important harm. It was sufficient to retire from the rally, handing the victory to Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta in dramatic circumstances.
Clearly devastated by the error, Neuville says he “gained’t quit” and that his time will come once more.
“Sadly to begin with I wish to specific all my excuses to the entire group and all of the folks working with me all year long, clearly this can be a big disappointment for us,” mentioned Neuville.
“We’re the primary, [co-driver] Martijn [Wydaeghe] and myself, to be tremendous dissatisfied and didn’t anticipate that however sadly the rally can strike even on the final stage. We have been driving in accordance with plan and the goal was to get by the ultimate stage.
“However sadly I simply bought stunned and I in all probability turned a bit early into the nook and I slid a bit and the primary response was to open the wheel after which what occurred, occurred.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Staff Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Hyundai
“It is going to be a tricky time now however we have now no selection, we have now to return again stronger. We are going to preserve combating and we don’t wish to quit. Our time will come once more. It’s a powerful time we’re going by however we will probably be again.”
Hyundai had been determined for a win to show round what has been a tough begin to the yr, having been outclassed by rivals Toyota.
“Completely [we will be putting an arm around Thierry]. I can’t do something that may make Thierry really feel worse than he’s,” Hyundai sporting director Andrew Wheatley informed Motorsport.com.
“There may be no person extra devastated than Thierry. We’ve no comprehension of the stress and the strain these drivers are underneath. Being one minute in entrance might be as annoying as being 5 seconds behind.
“From the angle of creating the error, if there was one particular person within the prime 20 of this rally the place you gave them a one-minute lead and so they simply must get to the top of the stage, it will be Thierry. He is aware of how to do this and the particular person you’ll select, however he made a mistake.
“I’ve been round rallying for fairly a very long time. This group wants this sort of end result as a result of everyone is doing a superhuman effort. I’ve solely been with the group six months however I can’t consider how a lot these folks wish to win. All people within the group will really feel devastated.”
Whereas the group missed out on a victory, it did depart Croatia with a third-place end for its third automotive pushed by Hayden Paddon.
“We’ve to have fun the small success and Hayden and John [Kennard, co-driver] on the rostrum is a implausible success,” Wheatley added. “I believe if we mentioned that 12 months in the past no person would have imagined that might be doable. I 100% believed he had the tempo to be within the prime 5.”
Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Picture by: Toyota Racing
Victorious Katsuta feels Neuville’s ache
Rally winner Katsuta was visibly surprised to safe the victory that has seen him grow to be the primary Japanese driver to steer the WRC standings with a seven-point margin over Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans.
The triumph comes simply weeks after Katsuta claimed a breakthrough maiden win at Safari Rally Kenya.
Having been by his fair proportion of lows within the WRC, Katsuta was sorry to see what occurred to Neuville.
“Individuals have been saying that once you win, the following one comes fast however I used to be not believing it,” mentioned Katsuta.
“However I’m a bit stunned the way it occurred this weekend. Clearly I’m very sorry for Thierry, Martijn and the Hyundai guys, that’s a very powerful feeling in myself now.
“After all I have to be completely happy for my group and everyone and [co-driver] Aaron [Johnston]. I believe we did a intelligent job this weekend. I’ve had comparable moments, so that’s the reason I really feel ache for him [Thierry].”
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– The Motorsport.com Staff
