The Hyundai driver took a 4.9s lead into the ultimate day after successful 9 of the 16 phases as much as that time, in what was an intense battle with Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
Nevertheless, each Neuville and Evans hit hassle in stage 18 on Sunday morning, which successfully ended the pair’s victory hopes.
Neuville drifted right into a grass financial institution following a late pacenote name, costing him 23.3s whereas inflicting vital harm to the i20N’s rear wing, that left him unable to battle within the remaining two phases.
Whereas annoyed at lacking a chance to attain maybe considered one of his best victories, Neuville was blissful to match rival Evans in scoring 19 factors and preserve his six-point championship.
“Undoubtedly there’s a frustration however then again we have now been effectively rewarded yesterday after our nice drive on Friday and Saturday [to score 18 points] they usually had been necessary factors they usually have made the distinction,” Neuville advised Autosport.
“Regardless of not scoring many factors immediately we had been nonetheless the third greatest performer and equal with Evans and solely misplaced one level to Ott [Tanak]. We will’t say it was a catastrophe.
“The stage [where we crashed] was actually difficult however what occurred, occurred. I attempted my greatest to keep away from it, however we had been simply far too late and once I obtained the pacenote I instantly hit the brakes, however the nook was a lot tighter and there was nothing I might do.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
“It [the car] was undrivable [without the rear wing], I couldn’t count on it, but it surely was a catastrophe. I used to be driving quick on the final stage and I misplaced 30 seconds.”
Though blissful to guide the championship, Neuville expects a tricky battle to carry onto his benefit when the WRC returns to gravel, starting with Portugal subsequent month.
“I’m blissful to nonetheless be within the lead and blissful to maintain a minimum of our benefit as a result of it’s no secret that from Portugal onwards it’s going to be powerful for us with a number of gravel rallies in a row,” he added.
“With out actually heavy rain or totally different circumstances, it is going to be powerful for us to attain many factors on Friday and Saturday however Sunday might be a bit higher if we have now a greater street place.”