Despite initial pessimism from Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala that both World Rally Championship titles are already settled, the Finn has since softened his stance.
The advantage is with Hyundai though. It holds a 35-point lead in the makes’ race with Thierry Neuville 34 points to the good in the drivers’ contest, holding that margin over his own team-mate Ott Tänak.
Despite this seemingly comfortable position, Hyundai technical director François-Xavier Demaison couldn’t be clearer.
“Nothing is done,” he told DirtFish. “If you look at Japan last year, it was a really complicated rally. Central Europe could be very tricky, and Chile last year was complicated in terms of tire wear, so it’s still very open.”
On this week’s SPIN, The Rally Pod we ask if Neuville and Hyundai really are home and dry – and if not, which title looks to be more vulnerable? How do Hyundai and Toyota each approach this event given their respective championship positions, and what should we expect from young stars Sami Pajari and Mārtiņš Sesks?
Check out the episode below, or listen via your favored podcast provider.
