Thierry Neuville has already driven one test event in his home region of Belgium, and he is expected to complete another test day before the Central European Rally.
Thorough preparation is in order, as Hyundai has been consistently beaten by Toyota this season. After 11 rounds of the championship, Toyota has claimed 10 victories, while Hyundai has managed just one.
Neuville has been in rather gloomy spirits lately, but after the test event in Belgium, he finally found something positive to say.
Neuville noted that the car performed well, but he was quick to add that it’s still too early to make any conclusions about the pace. That will only become clear in the actual rally, once the car can be compared against Toyota’s.
However, Neuville believes that his team at least has the potential to succeed in Central Europe.
“At the moment there is nothing against us having a good rally. There is nothing against it at the moment so let’s try to be positive,” he said.
In Central Europe, the starting position can play a major role – and in that regard, Toyota holds a much stronger hand than Hyundai.
Championship leaders Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, and Kalle Rovanperä will be the first to tackle the roads, with the Hyundai drivers following after them. The starting order is therefore by no means in Hyundai’s favour, though, of course, there’s always an element of unpredictability in the Central European Rally.
“The event will be weather affected and obviously our road positions is not great so it is not a big help if it is raining,” Neuville said bluntly.
