The Belgian has failed to win a single round this season and has reached the podium only four times. Neuville finished third in Sweden, Kenya, Estonia, and Paraguay. In the standings, the defending champion currently sits only in fifth place.
Any hopes of retaining his title vanished long ago. However, Neuville hopes that during the remaining three rallies he can turn his form around in a positive direction, making it easier to start the 2026 season on a better note.
From this week’s Central European Rally, Neuville is aiming for at least a podium finish. A first victory of the season would, of course, be most welcome. Neuville has fond memories of the Central European event — in 2023, he celebrated victory there and last season he finished third.
“I always enjoy Central European Rally, because it’s not too far from home, but it’s an unpredictable event. Running in October means the weather conditions and changing temperatures make this event particularly challenging,” Neuville sums up.
“We’ve experienced a lot of rain in previous years, which make grip levels really hard for us to predict. This, combined with the amount of cuts we take, increases the risk of punctures.”
According to Neuville, drivers are walking a fine line in the Central European Rally. Recognising risks is important, but it’s also impossible to play it too safe everywhere.
“It’s all about finding the right balance of risk and reward, and ideally we’ll have drier, more stable conditions. The recce will be crucial in helping us assess this.”
“I’m determined to continue our podium streak at Central European Rally, so we’ll be pushing for the win until the very end.”
The Central European Rally begins on Thursday morning with a shakedown stage. The main competition will feature a total of 18 special stages, covering approximately 306 kilometres.
