Thierry Neuville Says Hyundai Is Back After WRC Greece 2026

Thierry Neuville believes Hyundai Motorsport has re-established itself as a genuine victory contender despite narrowly missing out on the win at the 2026 Acropolis Rally Greece after suffering two punctures on the final day.

The Belgian started Sunday leading the rally but saw victory slip away in the closing stages after consecutive punctures allowed Sebastien Ogier to take over the lead and secure the overall win.

Disappointed but Encouraged

Although frustrated by the outcome, Neuville believes Hyundai's overall performance throughout the weekend demonstrated the team's return to the front of the field.

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"I'm disappointed, but also relieved at the same time. The most important thing is that we're competitive again."

"I haven't felt this comfortable in the car for a very long time. It confirms that when the car feels good and is competitive, we can fight for victories," Neuville said.

Better Feeling Than Portugal

Despite winning the previous gravel rally in Portugal, Neuville admitted the Hyundai package actually felt stronger in Greece, allowing him to manage both pace and tyre preservation more effectively.

"The car worked much better here than it did in Portugal. I wasn't fighting it nearly as much and I was able to manage my pace and the whole rally much better throughout the weekend," he explained.

His comments suggest Hyundai has made further progress with the setup of its Rally1 car on rough gravel events.

Punctures Were Always a Threat

Neuville admitted punctures remained the biggest concern throughout the Acropolis Rally, describing every stage as a constant mental challenge.

"In a rally like this you're fearing the worst all the time. Every corner can bring a surprise and suddenly a warning light tells you that you've got a puncture."

Rather than worrying about factors outside his control, the Belgian focused on maintaining his pace and trusting the car.

Accepting Ogier's Victory

Neuville accepted that luck played a decisive role in the outcome, pointing out that Ogier had lost victory in Portugal because of a puncture, while the situation was reversed in Greece.

"I drove with the mindset that if something happened, then it happened. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened this time."

"Full credit to Sebastien. He drove a great rally. In Portugal he suffered the puncture and I benefited from it. This time it was the other way around. He fully deserved the victory," Neuville concluded.