Hyundai driver Neuville has led the World Rally Championship since the season’s opening rally. The most thankless task for the championship leader is acting as the road sweeper on the opening days of gravel rallies.
The disadvantages of this task were well evident in Rally Latvia on Friday. Starting first on the stages, Neuville suffered from the loose gravel on the road more than anyone else. A cleaner racing line formed with each passing car, meaning a later starting position resulted in better conditions on the road.
Some say that the role of the road sweeper is earned through good performances, a sign of strong results and leading the championship. This saying is not among Neuville’s favourites.
“Why should I have the pain in the ass all weekend and all year long? We did a great job at the beginning of the year, and now there’s no reward at all,” Neuville lamented.
“Basically, you see your championship going down. There’s nothing you can do, nothing you can fight against the others.”
On Friday, Neuville had to concede almost one and a half minutes to Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä, who leads Rally Latvia after eight special stages. The Belgian star is only in ninth place in the rally and has no chance of getting into the top battles by Saturday evening. The first conditional points of the race are awarded after the second full day of driving.
According to Neuville, the starting order rule should be changed. The Hyundai driver didn’t hold back his words, which he directed at the WRC decision-makers.
“I guess that the FIA and the promoter are super happy that the young driver, driving for his second time, is starting 12th on the road and able to set the fastest time. So that’s what they like,” Neuville jabbed, referring to Martins Sesks, who is second in the race.
“But that’s not what the manufacturers want.”
On Saturday, Neuville at least won’t have to open the road. He can thank his teammate Esapekka Lappi for that, who slowed down on the final special stage on Friday. Thus, Lappi dropped to tenth place behind Neuville in the rally and took over the sweeping duties for Saturday.
“I have to talk to the team because I’m not aware of anything,” Neuville said about the team order.
