THIERRY NEUVILLE IN DEEP TROUBLE - RELIEF IN SIGHT?

Thierry Neuville’s World Rally Championship season has not started in particularly bright fashion.

Thierry Neuville. Photo: Helena El Mokni/Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

After two rounds, the 2024 world champion sits only fifth in the standings. The gap to championship leader Elfyn Evans has already stretched to 39 points.

The performance of Hyundai’s Rally1 car was nowhere near Toyota’s level in the opening rounds of the season. That has caused major frustration for Neuville, whose results were modest in Monte Carlo and Sweden.

Neuville is hoping to ease his frustration this weekend in Kenya. In Safari Rally, outright performance is often less important than simply staying out of trouble. If a driver can bring the car to the finish without major damage, the result can be very strong.

“On this rally everybody has the same chance of winning and doing well. So we think we have good chances for a good result,” Neuville said.

“But we also know that in the past we have had some struggles over here. So the target is to avoid those problems. And then we’re going to see where we end up,” the Belgian star added.

The WRC stars are set to face quite an adventure in Kenya once again. Due to the heavy rain in recent weeks, the special stages are in extremely demanding condition.

“Conditions on recce were quite extreme and very changeable as well. And that’s what we’re going to expect also for the weekend. So it will be a big compromise between speed, reliability and just having a good feeling,” Neuville said.

Forecasts suggest that more rain could arrive on the stages during the weekend, increasing the level of difficulty even further.

“When the rain arrives, the stages are basically flooded immediately. Especially this year, most sections are already very rutted due to the rain in the past weeks. Then the ruts are immediately full of water and you basically can’t drive in the ruts. If you go out of the line, you go into the mud and it doesn’t make it much better. You basically lose control of the car and you just try to get through,” Neuville explained.

Safari Rally begins on Thursday afternoon with the first two special stages.

- Toni Heinonen