Last year, Neuville led the championship from the opening round and eventually secured his first world title at the season finale. The Belgian star achieved two wins and a total of six podium finishes during that campaign.
This year, however, Neuville’s and Hyundai’s season has been nothing short of a nightmare. After 12 rounds, Neuville’s victory tally still stands at zero. He has made it onto the podium only three times – all of them in third place.
At last weekend’s Central European Rally, Neuville suffered his latest setback. He lost any chance of a strong result early in the event due to a puncture, and on the final day of the asphalt rally, he crashed into a bridge barrier – ending his rally on the spot.
Toyota has taken full advantage of Hyundai’s struggles. Hyundai has managed to win only one event this season, while Toyota has racked up an impressive 11 victories. Toyota also sealed the manufacturers’ title at the Central European Rally.
After Toyota’s championship triumph, Neuville did not hold back when assessing his own team’s situation.
“We are not there where we need to be. It’s not new,” Neuville stated.
“The whole season has been a struggle, to be honest. More on tarmac than on gravel. If I compare my last year’s season and this year’s season, the feeling and the amount of speed and control I had, I don’t have it this year. That’s clear. I’m not the only one struggling with it,” Neuville summed up.
The root of the problem lies in Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1 car, which has lacked the pace to challenge Toyota. Hyundai introduced an updated version of the car earlier this year, but it has not improved the team’s fortunes.
“So we know we have done some mistakes. We have to correct them,” Neuville demanded.
“It’s not about not working hard. The team is working very hard. We have been working very hard. The last weeks and months have been incredibly hard work from everybody, but we just don’t get it right yet.”
Hyundai now faces the question of what it can do during the remainder of the season to respond to Toyota’s dominance next year.
“We’ve also seen Ott (Tänak) going faster (in the Central European Rally) with the old car, which hasn’t had any development for a year. So we know, and that also proves for me, that the feeling last year was better. We need to get back to that level to be able to be consistent and fast,” Neuville emphasised.
