WRC: Neuville is well positioned to win in Portugal

The wrong party a few weeks ago in Croatia when he almost won the race, Thierry Neuville didn’t pay his teammate and friend Craig Brain the tribute he would have loved.

As a result, our compatriot is back in fifth place in the World Championship, and the last contender for the 2023 title, 11 points behind leaders Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier.

Nothing dramatic yet the level of accounting. Especially since the championship is still long, Sebastien Ogier remains sporadic (absent in Portugal, the eight-time French champ will return to Sardinia) and Hyundai seems fairly comfortable on the cobbles.

“This course is probably the easiest and most predictable gravel course of the season. Our representative believes that he no longer has the right to make mistakes. Our i20, which has improved further since Mexico, generally does well in this type of terrain. Tests and reconnaissance went well. And my fourth place on the road in Stage 1 this Friday will be a benefit to Elvin Evans, Kali Rovanpera and Ott Tanak who will start ahead of me.”

“The goal is to gradually climb to the top of the championship.”

We know the importance of sweeping in Lusitania. If all goes well, and if it doesn’t rain (it’s not expected), Thierry, at the start of his twelfth Rally Portugal, should logically find himself in the lead at the end of the first loop.

Portugal winner 2018

“It’s clear that looking at our starting positions but also in the standings, we’re under a little more pressure than our competitors. he admits. The goal is to gradually climb to the top of the tournament. But don’t rush either. Because opening the way in Sardinia would be a great hindrance…”

Thierry Neuville has learned to calculate, not to panic. Although only the still-mourning Hyundai team are yet to win this year, their chances of shining and securing their first world title in November remain. You just have to be careful not to trip over the rug. and win parades. Why not this weekend, five years after his success at Porto in 2018? Many Belgian fans will support Thierry and Martin Wedaigui, as well as Nicolas Gilsoul (his Corsica teammate, Pierre-Louis Loubet, must redeem himself after a disastrous start to the season), Gregoire Munster and Luis Luca. On the edge of the on-site stage and in front of their home screens.