Belgian rally star Thierry Neuville says the decision to cancel his homeland’s maiden World Rally Championship event was the right one.
The Hyundai Motorsport driver, who won Ypres in an i20 Coupe WRC last season, admitted he was disappointed not to compete at home, but applauded the work of the organizing team. Neuville said the work completed by Ypres Rally should be enough to earn the Belgian classic a round on a future WRC calendar.
Neuville told Belgian media RTBF: “It’s the right decision. Sport today takes a back seat. There was no other choice. It’s a shame, of course. I will just remember that the organizers have shown that they deserve their place on the world calendar.”
Talking to DirtFish about his championship hopes before Wednesday’s news of the cancellation, Neuville said: “I’m third on the road. Yes, the [24-point] gap is quite big, but from where I am for Ypres, I think it should still be possible to do something.”
With just one WRC round remaining this season, this year’s Monte Carlo winner’s assessment of his position in the title race has shifted.
“I don’t think about the championship anymore,” he said, before questioning the value of the 2020 crown.
“This is not a good year for the title with just six rallies so far, even with two more events, I don’t think it would have the same flavor.”
