WRC – Thierry Neuville has ended Friday’s running in fourth overall

Hyundai Motorsport has endured a difficult opening day at Rally de Portugal, the seventh round of the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), with Thierry Neuville the highest placed of the three crews in fourth overall.

On a difficult day for the team, both Dani Sordo and Sébastien Loeb suffered mechanical issues on their respective Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC cars that dropped them down the classification.

Friday’s itinerary included a repeat loop of three stages – Lousã (12.35km), Góis (18.78km) and Arganil (14.44km) – with no opportunity for midday service. The day concluded with a short Super Special Stage at the Lousada motocross track. 

Friday got off to a spirited start for the team with Sordo immediately setting the benchmark pace, over four seconds clear of the rest of the field. The Spaniard, benefitting from a later starting position, led the rally after two stages but then encountered issues on the following stage. Loeb had also suffered a similar problem on the same stage forcing him to complete at a slow pace.

Both crews re-joined in the afternoon, despite no lunchtime service, in an effort to complete the day’s running. Sordo once again topped the timesheets in the Lousã stage but picked up a front-left puncture to compound his day of frustration.

Neuville, meanwhile, moved up into fourth overall – only 1.4 seconds from podium position – after a respectable day starting third on the road. The Belgian scored two stage wins at the end of the afternoon loop, setting the pace in SS6 and SS7.   Crew Notes: Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (#11 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)

• Stage wins in SS6 (Arganil) and SS7 (Lousada) were the highlights of the day
• Belgians will aim to fight for higher positions on Saturday

Neuville said: “It has been a tough start, no question. We struggled on the opening stage this morning due to the standing dust and we had to take things a bit too carefully. In SS2, I stalled the car at a junction and lost some time. We were back on track in SS3 and set the second fastest time, so it was a mix of feelings at lunchtime. Things weren’t perfect in the afternoon loop. The most frustrating thing is that we have been missing a bit of speed all day and haven’t had the chance to find the rhythm. To finish the first day with two stage wins and inside the top-four – only 1.4 seconds from the podium – is not too bad but we know we have more in the tank.”

Crew Notes: Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio (#6 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)

• Two stage wins for the Spaniards (SS1 and SS4 – Lousã)
• Mechanical issue on SS3 (Arganil)

Sordo said: “We started the day well with a stage win on the opening run and getting a good feeling with the car. We conserved tyres on SS2 to prepare for the end of the loop. At the start of the final stage of the morning, the car just lost power and we lost a massive amount of time getting to the end. I was frustrated, not just for myself but also for the team. As we could see from our pace on other stages we had a great opportunity to fight for the victory this weekend, and that’s been taken away from us.”

Crew Notes: Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (#19 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)

• Mechanical issue in SS3 (Arganil)
• Solid afternoon loop showed potential from crew and car

Loeb said: “A disappointing day and certainly not what we wanted coming to this rally. Things started out OK but then about 20 metres into the third stage of the morning loop we picked up a mechanical issue. We had to complete the stage at a very slow pace and lost between 15 and 16 minutes. It was the start of what we had hoped to be a positive rally but now we are far back with nothing to play for. We had just to enjoy the afternoon loop as much as we could, have a bit of fun because we will be one of the first on the road tomorrow so it will be a long, tough day.”

Team Director Andrea Adamo: “For sure, a very disappointing day. What has happened to two of our three cars is not acceptable and not at the level of a team that wishes to win the world championship. It’s something we have to react to quickly and in the proper way. On the other hand we have to praise Thierry for the amazing performance he has shown after his crash in Chile to be back on the pace today. Dani also had a strong day with two stage wins and leading the rally before he got hit by the troubles. Very strong and mixed emotions.”

Saturday at a glance

• Six stages will make up Saturday’s schedule; Vieira do Minho (20.53km), Cabeceiras de Basto (22.22km) and Amarante (37.60km) will each be run twice.
• Amarante is the longest stage of the rally with Saturday’s stages, at 160.7km in total, representing over half of the entire competitive distance (307km).
• Lunchtime service separates the two loops.

Classification after Day One  

Press release Hyundai Motorsport