Hyundai Motorsport has claimed a surprising second place end in Rally México, the third spherical of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), on a gripping remaining day in which Thierry Neuville claimed his third consecutive podium results of the season in fashion.
Hyundai Motorsport Thierry Neuville carried out as soon as once more
The Belgian had been concerned in an exciting battle for second place with Elfyn Evans since Saturday; the enthralling contest continued into Sunday with the 2 drivers nip-and-tuck on every of the ultimate 4 levels.
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Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe held their nerve in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid to take two extra stage wins and push proper as much as the closing metres of the Power Stage. A dogged strategy paid dividends as they snatched second place by a mere 0,4 seconds. Their Hyundai Motorsport team-mates Dani Sordo and Cándido Carrera, whose rally was hampered by a puncture on Friday afternoon, completed in a beneficial points-scoring fifth place.
Sunday’s itinerary started on acquainted floor with the fourth working of the quick Las Dunas Superspecial (SS20; 3,53 km). Photo by Hyundai
Sunday’s itinerary started on acquainted floor with the fourth working of the quick Las Dunas Superspecial (SS20; 3,53 km). Neuville scored his fifth stage win of the weekend – and the group’s eleventh – to scale back the hole to Evans to only 4,1 seconds. All eyes have been on the 2 contenders through the longest check of the rally, Otates (SS21; 35,63 km), as they fought to take the higher hand.
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It was a neck-and-neck race for a lot of the stage and simply half-a-second separated their respective occasions after the 30 km cut up. Evans prolonged his slight benefit on the flying end to take a 5.8-second lead into the ultimate levels: San Diego (SS22; 12,62 km) and the El Brinco Power Stage (SS23; 9,59 km).
Only 4 factors now separate the highest 3 drivers in the championship. Neuville has moved as much as second on 53 factors. Photo by Hyundai
The pendulum swung again into the Belgians’ favour on San Diego with one other stage win that diminished the hole as soon as once more to 2,7 seconds, with fewer than ten kilometres remaining. A usually decided efficiency from Neuville in the Power Stage noticed him grasp each accessible alternative, and finally, he did sufficient to steal second in the closing moments of the rally.
For Hyundai Motorsport, Rally México has been an encouraging occasion with Esapekka Lappi beginning out of the blocks in spectacular style on Friday. The Finn grabbed the headlines as he led the rally earlier than crashing out on Saturday morning’s opening stage. From there, Neuville picked up the mantle seamlessly to proceed the group’s stage-winning outcomes.
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All three Hyundai Motorsport crews scored a quickest time in México, a complete of 12 factors from a potential 22 (Saturday’s stage 15 was cancelled) and confirmed victory potential from the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid on tough, powerful, gravel roads.
Only 4 factors now separate the highest 3 drivers in the championship. Neuville has moved as much as second on 53 factors – solely 3 from the lead. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motorsport has reached the 100-point mark in the producers’ title, holding second place after 3 rounds.
In their phrases: Hyundai Motorsport
“I’ve been flat out all weekend, and I’m delighted to take our third podium in three rallies. We had tried arduous to enhance the automotive all weekend; the dealing with has been getting higher. With our highway place on the primary day, it was powerful; we ended Friday nearly 40 seconds adrift of the lead.
“Since Saturday, things have been better and slowly we could catch up with Elfyn. He didn’t make it easy, so we had to fight hard right to the end. After today’s long stage, Otates, I was a bit disappointed, as I had to slow down for a couple of dogs on the road. That cost us time, but I stayed calm and saw an opportunity in the Power Stage.”
Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe
“I have mixed feelings because on the one hand I am pleased that we could score some good points for the championship, but there is also a little bit of frustration. The puncture we had on Friday prevented us from being more involved in the fight. We had higher expectations coming into this event. The competition is fierce and there are a lot of strong drivers at the front. We did well to bring the car home in the points and I am sure we can do an equally good job at our next rally.”
Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera
Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe. Photo by Hyundai
“Taking second position is a great feeling and fantastic reward for the whole team, who have all done an amazing job in preparing a competitive and perfectly reliable car for the challenge of Rally México. Losing Esapekka from the rally on Saturday morning was tough after he showed such impressive pace, but we remained focused on the job in hand”
“Thierry had been suffering a bit from an adverse road position, as well as with a hybrid issue following an artificial jump in the Ortega stage that cost him time. Still, he showed his resilience and did brilliantly. He was passionate and determined, attacking when it mattered to get the job done. As a result, he has moved up a place in the drivers’ championship.”
“All in all, I feel we have a car, crews and a team capable of being competitive in all situations. I am interested to see how we fare in Croatia – that will be the next litmus test back on tarmac.”
Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul
Next rally
The FIA World Rally Championship switches again to tarmac subsequent month for the Croatia Rally, which takes place from 20 to 23 April.
