Thierry Neuville suffered a dramatic exit from Rally Chile on Saturday when he rolled his Hyundai i20 several times after going off the road on the opening stage of the second leg. The 2024 world champion was navigating a fast fifth-gear right-hander on SS7 Pelun when his car bottomed out, pitched him offline, and sent him into a bank that launched the car into a series of rolls.
Neuville had started the day in sixth place, 27.4 seconds behind rally leader Oliver Solberg. Despite setting the fastest time on SS3 earlier in the event, the Belgian struggled to find full confidence aboard his i20 throughout the Chilean weekend. His retirement is a significant blow to his championship hopes, as he loses valuable points in the fight for the title.
The Incident
According to reports, Neuville was pushing hard when his car bottomed out through the fifth-gear right-hander. The impact unsettled the Hyundai, sending it off the racing line and towards a bank on the outside. The bank then pitched the car into multiple rolls before it eventually came to rest on its wheels. Both Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe were unharmed in the incident.
This crash adds to a challenging season for Neuville, who has shown flashes of speed but has been plagued by inconsistency. The incident also highlights the treacherous nature of Rally Chile, where several Hyundai crews have encountered problems. With Neuville out, the pressure is on his teammates to deliver strong results for the team.
Meanwhile, the battle for the rally lead continues, with Solberg currently at the top. However, with many stages still to run, the outcome remains uncertain. Neuville's absence from the remainder of the event means he will now focus on recovery and preparation for the next round, aiming to bounce back stronger.
Baca Juga
Thierry Neuville tersingkir dari Rally Chile setelah terguling di giru lima. Insiden ini menghambat upayanya mengejar poin di kejuaraan dunia WRC.
Teemu Suninen kembali ke WRC2 untuk tantang Robert Virves di Rally Sardinia. Simak peluangnya dan perubahan co-driver di sini.
Oliver Solberg menekan Elfyn Evans di reli WRC dengan keunggulan 10 detik. Persaingan memanas, strategi ban jadi kunci. Simak analisis lengkapnya.
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