The previous event in Central Europe turned out to be a disappointing one for Fourmaux. The Frenchman struggled to find confidence in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car and eventually finished fifth on the asphalt rally.
More significant than his final position was the gap to the leaders – more than two minutes adrift.
“It did start really well and we were fighting on the top. But then when we arrived in the Czech Republic stages we really lost the performance and the pace. So that’s why we were losing a lot,” Fourmaux recalled.
“After that we were searching quite a lot, the pace and the setups on the car, but we never really found it. And Sunday, it was a disaster. The car was not really nice to drive.”
The next round takes place in Japan in two weeks’ time – the final asphalt event of the season.
This year, Hyundai has struggled particularly on tarmac. Fourmaux predicts more difficulties ahead – or at least, he doesn’t expect the Japanese rally to be any easier.
“I think it’s going to be the same. Unfortunately we need to work, but there is no testing for Japan. So it’s going to be difficult, and it’s quite frustrating,” Fourmaux admitted.
The Japanese round differs greatly from the Central European Rally or the springtime Canary Islands asphalt event. The roads are narrower and twistier, and the autumn weather adds its own challenges.
“At that time of the year there are the leaves on the road. The conditions can be very slippy and rainy. But average speed is really different than in Central Europe, it’s going to be much slower,” Fourmaux explained.
Rally Japan will take place from 6–9 November.
