SS11: Neuville’s podium hopes fade away

After tyre troubles dropped him down the order on Friday, Neuville had climbed back up to second overall before his Hyundai i20 N developed a technical issue on the opening stage of Saturday afternoon.

Neuville’s co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe could be heard uttering the words “emergency fuel pump” after the car’s engine cut out. They made numerous attempts continue, but Neuville was eventually forced to limp out of the stage under electrical power.

Clearly upset at having lost more than two and half minutes, Neuville said at the finish: “I don’t know… I have nothing to say – absolutely nothing to say.”

Reports from the stage-end suggest Neuville worked on the car and was able to drive away with the engine running.