Thierry Neuville's Rally Chile hopes ended in dramatic fashion on Saturday morning. The Hyundai driver launched an all-out attack on the opening stage, but his charge came to a violent halt when his i20 N Rally1 barrel-rolled after hitting a bank. Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe escaped unhurt, but the car sustained substantial damage, forcing the team to withdraw from the remainder of the event.
"Due to substantial damage sustained to the car in a roll on SS7, Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe will not restart Rally Chile," Hyundai confirmed during Saturday's midday service. "The team will focus on repairing and preparing the car for Rally Italia Sardegna." The incident occurred as Neuville pushed hard to make up ground from sixth place, a position he held at the start of the day.
For Neuville, this is another bitter blow in a season that has already been disappointing. The Belgian had hoped to turn his fortunes around in Chile, but instead, he leaves with zero points. "There was nothing to lose and we went for it, but obviously a little bit too fast," he admitted. His aggressive approach, while commendable, proved costly.
This crash adds to Neuville's mounting troubles in 2026. With rivals like Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans consistently scoring strong results, the points lost in Chile could prove decisive in the championship battle. Neuville now faces an uphill task to stay in contention.
Hyundai, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. The team will work tirelessly to repair the damaged car ahead of Rally Italia Sardegna, but the psychological impact of such a crash cannot be underestimated. Neuville's confidence may be shaken, and the pressure is mounting.
As the WRC circus moves on, questions linger about Neuville's ability to bounce back. Can he rediscover his form and challenge for wins? Or will this season be one to forget? Only time will tell, but the clock is ticking.
One thing is certain: Rally Chile served as a harsh reminder of the risks inherent in rallying. Neuville paid a heavy price for his bravery. Now, he must pick up the pieces and prepare for the next battle.
Baca Juga
Thierry Neuville crash hebat di SS7 Rally Chile, Hyundai tak bisa lanjut. Dampak pada klasemen dan persiapan Rally Italia Sardegna.
Oliver Solberg memimpin Reli Swedia WRC 2026 setelah loop Sabtu pagi, unggul 10,1 detik atas Elfyn Evans yang masih kesulitan dengan setelan mobil.
Co-driver Finlandia Topi Luhtinen masih dirawat setelah kecelakaan hebat di Rally Chile. Yuki Yamamoto selamat, namun beberapa kru lain juga dirawat intensif.
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