Thierry Neuville has been here before.
Strong finishes to World Rally Championship seasons are the Belgian’s forte, with his victory on Central European Rally marking the fifth time in seven years he has won either the final or penultimate rally of the season.
A strong finish brings optimism to the whole team for the year to come. But, so far, that optimism hasn’t translated into the ultimate result – a world title.
“Yeah, like every year it’s always looking good… but it ends bad!” Neuville laughed.
I've never been as confident with the key people in placeThierry Neuville
But something feels different this time for the Belgian.
Is it that he now feels strong enough as a driver to be world champion?
“No. I think we are ready since very long,” Neuville told DirtFish. “But the story’s the same. Ott [Tänak] has tried [to win the title] for three years and he didn’t succeed either.”
Instead, the difference now is the team around him.
With added strength in the engineering department thanks to the recruitment of François-Xavier Demaison as technical director, and a clear belief in team principal Cyril Abiteboul’s leadership, Neuville feels Hyundai and its i20 N Rally1 are ready to deliver in 2024.
“I’ve never been as confident with the key people in place now, for sure,” said the five-time championship runner-up. “With Cyril in his position and learning the WRC, and definitely wanting to deliver next year, and with F-X and Christian Loriaux, the collaboration is working well as well.
“So if it’s not now, then it’s never.”
Hyundai has also strengthened its driver lineup for 2024, with 2019 World Rally champion Tänak making his return to the Alzenau outfit.
Neuville’s win at CER, and the potential for another victory at the season-ending Rally Japan, will provide the Belgian with positive energy ahead of 2024. But he doesn’t feel the momentum gained will give him any advantage over Tänak once the cars roll off the start ramp in Monte Carlo next year.
“Every season starts with zero on the counter for everybody,” said Neuville. “I think it’s going to be an interesting fight again like it has been the last years when we were team-mates.
“It’s a give and take, and obviously the regulations, the positions and the starting orders make [sure] as well that there will never be huge gaps.”
