Reigning World Rally champion Thierry Neuville admits he’s “uncomfortable” with where he currently finds himself in the championship.
While Neuville led the way from start to finish en route to his maiden world title last year, 2025 has been far more difficult for the Belgian.
Sixth place in Monte Carlo – undone by two offs at the same hairpin on Friday – left Neuville 24 points off the series lead after just round one, and although he recorded podiums in both Sweden and Kenya, a frustrated run to seventh (unaided by a penultimate stage puncture) has left the Hyundai pilot 50 points shy of the summit.
Worse still, he is yet to beat, or outscore, championship leader Elfyn Evans on a single round in 2025.
To rub further salt into the wounds, Neuville is third in the standings – and therefore third on the road for next week’s Rally Portugal – but just two points clear of his team-mate Ott Tänak who’s fifth. Sébastien Ogier’s Toyota splits the pair.
They haven't been the brightest of days for Neuville so far since wearing the #1
“Yeah…” Neuville grimaced, “two points less and I would be even two positions further back! But that’s what it is.”
But given his indifferent start, and the dominance of the Toyotas which have won every rally so far, is Neuville getting worried about his championship chances?
“Worried is a big word,” he told DirtFish, “but we are not in a situation we would feel comfortable with, so it’s a bit of an uncomfortable situation at the moment.
“We clearly want to keep alive our hopes for the championship, and at the moment it looks like it’s just not possible.
“If we can get the same performance as Toyota, the fights will be much more interesting,” Neuville added.
