WRC
Neuville seeks reset after bruising Safari
Thierry Neuville is searching for positives ahead of next month's Croatia Rally after another punishing Safari Rally Kenya left him with only a handful of bonus points to show for his efforts.
The Hyundai driver ended the rally seventh overall after a bruising weekend in Naivasha, but did at least salvage four points from Sunday’s classification. The Belgian had hoped for more from round three, particularly after Hyundai showed flashes of speed across the event, but Kenya once again proved unforgiving.
“We were fighting for Power Stage and Super Sunday points,” Neuville said. “We only got four, but at least it’s something. There are lessons learned from another Safari Rally.”
Safari’s notoriously rough roads and unpredictable conditions again dealt Neuville a tough hand. He, like i20 N Rally1 team-mates Adrien Fourmaux and Esapekka Lappi, was hampered by overheating issues caused by mud-blocked radiators before tyre damage and later suspension and driveshaft trouble knocked him out of contention for a stronger finish.
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“Safari hits very hard every year,” he reflected. “It hasn’t been very kind to us so far, but I always come here and enjoy the adventure - that’s at least the positive.
“Of course, I would have loved to be on the podium this weekend, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be this time. I expected heavier rain, but it didn’t come as much as anticipated - although there was still plenty of mud. Maybe a bit less rain than expected on Saturday, but generally very tough conditions.”
While Neuville’s own weekend ended in frustration, he was quick to pay tribute to Takamoto Katsuta after the Toyota driver finally sealed a breakthrough maiden WRC win in Kenya.
“It’s a great victory for Taka,” Neuville said. “He has been very patient and resilient over a long time, and he did it - so well done to him.
“He really deserves it. He has always been strong here in Kenya, with many podiums, so it’s a good place for him to take his first win.”
For Neuville, though, the bigger concern is what comes next. Croatia Rally, the championship’s next stop, marks the first of back-to-back asphalt events - but the 2024 world champion was in no mood to pretend Safari had suddenly changed Hyundai’s fortunes. Croatia runs on 9 - 12 April, with Rally Islas Canarias following later that month.
“Honestly, not really,” he said, when asked if the switch in surface gave him more confidence. “But we will see. We need to give ourselves a chance to stay positive and hope that something will turn at some point.
“It’s a tough period. We won’t do miracles, but if we can at least find a good feeling and have some fun, that would already be something.”
