Thierry Neuville opens the WRC Paraguay weekend with an emotional tone. The defending champion no longer has a realistic shot at retaining his title, but he has a personal mission: to give a fitting farewell to the Rally1 cars that will be retired next year.
It has been a tough season for Neuville and Hyundai. The team's only win came in Portugal, while Toyota has been nearly flawless all year. Neuville is candid about his frustration: "We deserve more," he said.
With four rounds remaining, Neuville wants to make the most of it. "We have four rallies left with these incredible cars. It would be great to get some more victories," he said. Next year, Rally1 cars will lose power and some features for cost reasons—a new chapter that may not favour Hyundai.
Neuville's future remains uncertain, as Hyundai has yet to confirm its plans for next season, with speculation pointing to a switch to Rally2. But in Paraguay, all that is set aside for now.
On paper, this rally seems straightforward, but the fine red sand can turn into a nightmare if rain arrives. The weather forecast is unstable, and Neuville knows it. "Rain is predicted at some point during the weekend. Nobody knows exactly when it's going to come down, but it looks like there could be quite a lot of it," he explained.
Those conditions make braking and grip control a puzzle. "The grip is extremely low, it's very difficult to judge the braking points and the speed you can carry," he added. This is not just another rally—it's a final test for the generation of cars that shaped the world championship era.
Neuville may no longer be chasing the title, but he still has pride to fight for. And one more victory would be a sweet ending.
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