Neuville’s championship lead shrunk slightly after last weekend’s Rally Chile, but the Hyundai driver still holds a solid 29-point lead over his teammate Ott Tänak with two rounds remaining.
Check out the full WRC standings here.
In practical terms, this means Neuville has his first real “match point” at Central European Rally, which takes place in mid-October. If his lead exceeds 30 points by the end of the tarmac rally, the Belgian will be crowned world champion even before the season finale in Japan.
Neuville will get a good chance to prepare for Central European Rally, as Hyundai has entered him into a national event in Austria next week. Neuville will compete in the Herbst Rallye, held around the town of Dobersberg, driving his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car in a test capacity.
Herbst Rallye offers Neuville an excellent opportunity to test the car in competitive conditions. The roads are similar to those in Central European Rally , so this test event will surely give the Belgian star a significant advantage as he aims to close out the title fight before the final round of the season.
Last year, M-Sport Ford was represented at Herbst Rallye, with Ott Tänak driving the Rally1 car in the event.
Neuville had previously complained in the summer about not getting the chance to participate in test events like his teammates. However, with the championship now within reach, the team has given him extra testing opportunities. Prior to last weekend’s Rally Chile, Neuville took part in a smaller rally in Spain, where he fine-tuned the setup of his Hyundai.
Central European Rally will take place from 17 to 20 October, with stages held in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. Neuville won the inaugural Central European Rally last year.
