WRC
Neuville “will keep fighting” and “come back stronger” after Croatia crash
Thierry Neuville says he will “keep fighting” and “come back stronger” after a dramatic final-stage mistake cost the reigning world champion victory at Croatia Rally.
Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe looked set to claim their first FIA World Rally Championship win of the season after building a lead of more than a minute heading into the Wolf Power Stage, only for disaster to strike.
The Belgian misjudged a right-hander and his Hyundai i20 N collided with a concrete block, causing terminal damage to the car’s front-right suspension and handing victory to Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston.
It means Hyundai’s search to end a winless run stretching back to Neuville’s triumph at Rally Saudi Arabia, the 2025 season finale in November, goes on.
A visibly devastated Neuville managed to nurse the car to the stop line before retiring from the event. The 37-year-old was quick to apologise to the Hyundai team for the mistake and vowed to respond.
“First of all, I would like to express my apologies to the whole team – everybody who works with me throughout the whole year. It’s a huge disappointment for Martijn and myself. We didn’t expect that but unfortunately the rally can strike even at the very last stage,” said Neuville.
“We were driving according to plan and our target was just to get through the stage, but unfortunately we were surprised on that corner. I probably turned in a bit too early and my first reaction was to open, and then the incident happened.
“It’s going to be a tough period for us but we have no choice but to come back stronger and keep fighting. We won’t give up and our time will come again.”
Neuville will be back behind the wheel next week when the WRC heads to the Canary Islands for round five, Rally Islas Canarias, from 23 - 26 April.
