Italy win deserving for Breen's memory and Hyundai - Neuville

The Belgian delivered a maiden 2023 victory in some of the wettest and most tricky conditions in the series’ recent years. Talking after the finish in Olbia, Neuville was happy to have won in Breen’s memory.

“It’s nice to be back on the top step of the podium,” he said. “It has been a really big challenge, a big fight. I’m happy for the result, for the team – they really deserve this. It’s nice for our new team principal [Cyril Abiteboul] to take a 1-2 with Esapekka [Lappi] as well.

“The team deserves this one and Craig is also in our memory today as well. We wanted the victory in Croatia, but we got it now.”

Neuville’s first win elevates him to second place in the title race, albeit 25 points behind defending champion, Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä.

“The weekend was tough, but we believed we could fight for the win,” said Neuville. “The weather has been up and down all weekend long, we faced every condition possible from dry and warm to heavy rain. We had to manage the tyres throughout, and it was very tough on our cars but we had great reliability and it really paid off.”