Neuville Still Haunted by Hyundai Grip Problems

Thierry Neuville delivered an encouraging performance by setting the fastest time in the Rally Portugal 2026 shakedown, but the Hyundai Motorsport driver admitted the team is still struggling with major grip-related problems.

The fastest time offered a positive sign for Hyundai after a difficult start to the season against the dominant pace of Toyota Gazoo Racing. However, Neuville stressed that one strong shakedown stage does not mean Hyundai has fully solved the underlying issues affecting its Rally1 package.

Throughout the opening phase of the 2026 season, Hyundai has continued making setup adjustments and technical changes in an attempt to close the performance gap to Toyota. Despite those efforts, the 2024 world champion admitted he still struggles to consistently understand the limits of the car, particularly under changing grip conditions.

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“I don’t know the limit of this car. Sometimes the feeling is quite good, but sometimes it’s very bad,” Neuville explained.

From a technical perspective, Neuville identified tyre grip feeling and chassis balance as Hyundai’s biggest current weaknesses. The inconsistency makes it difficult for the Belgian driver to establish stable rhythm and confidence, especially when pushing aggressively on fast gravel stages.

According to Neuville, the current situation feels significantly different compared to the 2024 season when he naturally understood the car’s behaviour. He now feels the connection between driver input and vehicle response is still not predictable enough to fully attack at maximum pace.

“I want to be setting fastest times again and fighting at the front. It’s been a long time since I could really do that,” Neuville said.

Despite the concerns, Hyundai’s overall shakedown performance still provided optimism. Adrien Fourmaux initially topped the opening runs before Neuville moved to the top of the timesheets after multiple passes, suggesting Hyundai may finally be finding a more competitive gravel baseline setup.

Rally Portugal is also considered one of the events better suited to Hyundai’s characteristics compared to the previous asphalt rallies. The looser gravel surface could help reduce some of the grip limitations that have affected the car earlier this season.

Even so, Neuville remains realistic regarding Hyundai’s chances of stopping Toyota’s winning streak. He admitted Hyundai may not yet be capable of dominating every stage, but at least appears closer to the fight for victory.

“This is the first rally where we should really be able to fight at the front,” Neuville added.

Weather conditions are expected to become a major factor during the weekend with rain forecast from Saturday onward. Neuville believes such conditions could create a more balanced fight as grip levels change rapidly and open strategic opportunities between teams.

With Hyundai still searching for a complete solution to its grip problems while Toyota remains dominant at the start of the season, Rally Portugal is now shaping up as one of the most important events of the 2026 campaign in determining whether Neuville can genuinely return to regular WRC victory contention.