Thierry Neuville says victory in Portugal was private ”revenge” for letting Hyundai down after a closing stage mistake in Croatia price the group a primary World Rally Championship win of 2026.
This weekend the 2024 world champion discovered himself in an identical place to that of a month in the past in Croatia, main into the ultimate stage.
Neuville had been locked within the victory hunt all week in Portugal, however was handed a golden alternative to finish Hyundai’s victory drought when Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier surrendered the lead after selecting up a puncture within the penultimate stage.
In distinction to Croatia, Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe efficiently accomplished the ultimate stage in Portugal to say a primary win for Hyundai for the reason that pair triumphed eventually yr’s Saudi Arabia season finale in November.
A twenty third WRC win for Neuville, who’s now tied with four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen, was visibly emotional on the end after struggling such a low in Croatia. However the significance of the victory was way more than simply private payback to the group.
“Personally it’s a little bit of revenge. I gave again what I ought to have given to the group in Croatia for certain,” Neuville instructed Motorsport.com.
“However greater than the victory, which is unquestionably crucial for the group as they desperately wanted it, I feel to see that the efficiency was there all through the weekend was most likely essentially the most encouraging factor to see that we will struggle on the high degree.
“I used to be in a position to handle my race a bit too and that’s the key. If you wish to win rallies you want to have the ability to construct your weekend and handle your weekend. You possibly can solely try this if the automotive works and the boldness is there in any other case it’s simply not doable.”
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Diogo Cardoso – Getty Pictures
Neuville’s co-driver Wydaeghe echoed the sentiment, including: “It means loads not solely to me and Thierry however to the group. I feel after what occurred in Croatia we dropped very low and it took some effort to return again, however we’ve got come again stronger and we confirmed once more our by no means hand over mentality.
“Because of the group in addition to they’ve pushed very exhausting the previous couple of weeks so that they deserve it.”
Neuville has struggled for confidence behind the wheel of the i20 N Evo Rally1 automotive that has a slim working window. The difficulties to carry out even led the Belgian to declare that this season as the toughest of his WRC profession.
Now again on the highest step of the rostrum, Neuville says Rally Portugal is proof to at all times keep on believing and to by no means hand over.
“It has undoubtedly been essentially the most irritating [time of my career[] for certain,” he added. “Within the state of affairs we’re in, not understanding what’s the future [for Hyundai in the WRC] and other people leaving [the team], not successful and never getting podiums, for certain it’s exhausting to be optimistic for what the longer term ought to carry.
”However once more the rally has proven us this weekend we have to keep on believing, working exhausting and never giving up and we get the payback.”
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Workforce
