19 Oct 12

Burnt fingers
won't
prevent
Neuville
return

Thierry Neuville has vowed to beat the pain barrier and return to action on day three of Rally Italia Sardegna despite suffering burns to his fingers this morning.

Neuville dropped out of the FIA World Rally Championship after burning his fingers as he battled to get his Qatar World Rally Team Citroen DS3 WRC back onto its wheels following his half roll on the third stage of the gravel event.

“I was crying after the stage because I was in a lot of pain, I couldn’t believe the pain,” said Neuville. “My co-driver Nicolas [Gilsoul] did the road section and I was next to him putting my fingers in a bottle of water to cool them down. Maybe it will be difficult for tomorrow but the doctors have done some good work already so I will be able to manage to drive.”

Neuville confirmed a loss of oil caused by his car lying on its side for some five minutes was the actual reason why he withdrew ahead of stage four but added the pain he endured had been worth it.

“It was only me, Nicolas and two marshals pushing and pulling on the car,” Neuville explained. “The wheel rim was very warm but I couldn’t let go if I wanted to continue. In the end we decided with the team together that to be sure to drive on Saturday and Sunday we should stop and that’s what we did.”