The leader of the championship bears the heavy burden of being the first car to define the racing lines on loose gravel during Friday’s special stages. Practically, this means a potential time loss if the weather remains dry.
To Neuville’s misfortune, hot weather has been forecast for the days leading up to the Rally de Portugal, indicating that Hyundai’s Belgian star will be ‘sweeping’ the road.
Additionally, Neuville is frustrated that part-time WRC drivers like Sebastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä, and even his teammate Dani Sordo, will benefit from cleaner gravel roads on Friday.
“It’s going to be a tough one. We all know this championship rules with the road positions for those who only do a few races a year. They’re going to have a big advantage,” Neuville stated.
Neuville clinched a victory and maximum points at the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo. Since then, the Belgian has had to pave the way, yet he has still managed to secure good points from each event.
Neuville’s closest challenger is Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, who also suffers from his starting position in Portugal. Neuville plans to focus only on Evans’ performance over the weekend.
“At least Elfyn is just starting behind me. We’re probably going to focus only on Elfyn. That’s the only race we’re going to have that weekend, that’s for sure,” Neuville anticipates.
“We have a good six-point lead. We’re going to try to defend it.”
The Rally de Portugal starts on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday.
