Ypres (Belgium) (AFP)
Belgian Thierry Neuville, leading Saturday in the Ypres rally, 8th round of the WRC world championship, is in a good position to clinch the 14th WRC success of his career on Sunday at home.
At the end of the third and penultimate day, the driver Huyndai, author of seven scratches in two days, is ten seconds ahead of his Irish teammate Craig Breen.
Welshman Elfyn Evans, third and first Toyota driver, is 42 seconds behind.
While the leader of the championship, the French Sébastien Ogier is 46 seconds behind, in 5th position, just behind his Finnish teammate Kalle Rovanperä.
Neuville's advantage over Breen is minimal but should be sufficient given that it is his Hyundai teammate who could try to avoid a fratricidal fight even if the race instructions are prohibited by law.
With a view to the drivers 'and constructors' world championships, Hyundai must bring its two cars back to the first two places in the Belgian rally.
Neuville is therefore in a chair on the eve of the last four specials scheduled at Spa-Francorchamps, at the other end of Belgium, which is hosting a WRC world championship event for the first time.
"I manage. I don't need to push, to take unnecessary risks on a route that is prone to punctures," explains Neuville.
"It's hard to hear so early in the rally, but I can understand it very well," said Breen regarding Hyundai's wish to see its two drivers avoid clashing for the front of the race.
Irish driver Craig Breen, assisted by his co-driver Paul Nagle, at the wheel of his Hyundai, during the 6th stage of Rally Croatia, April 23, 2021 in Kumrovec Andrej ISAKOVIC AFP / Archives
"I understand the team's position, it's too important. Thierry must win for the drivers' championship and Hyundai must take the maximum number of points to come back a little more to the Toyota basques", concedes the Briton.
"Having said that, I'm very happy with my performance here. I love these roads, these straight turns. I really enjoyed it."
- Ogier on the hunt -
Sébastien Ogier had a difficult start to the rally.
"The road was very slippery this morning. Fortunately I felt better on the second loop," said the Frenchman.
The seven-time world champion however enjoys a comfortable lead in the championship with 148 points for 111 in Evans and 96 in Neuville.
But he must undergo the race contrary to his habit.
Citing adjustment problems, tires "not strong enough", the Gapençais did not regain full control of his Yaris until Saturday afternoon, leaving him the hope of getting on the podium on Sunday.
French driver Sébastien Ogier assisted by his co-driver Julien Ingrassia, at the wheel of his Toyota Yaris, during the 4th special of Rally Croatia, April 23, 2021 near Karlovac Andrej ISAKOVIC AFP / Archives
Overall, the French have not been at the party for the past two days.
After Adrien Fourmaux (Ford M-Sport) left the road (12 tons) on Friday, it was Pierre-Louis Loubet (Hyundai) who was caught in his turn on Saturday morning.
The same fate was reserved for Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) in SS8.
The Japanese hit an electric pole, leading the race management to neutralize this particularly bumpy special.
On Sunday, the last four specials (SS17 to SS20) will take place on the other side of Belgium, at Francorchamps, forcing the paddock to a link of nearly 300 kilometers.
The drivers will cover portions of the legendary Spa circuit with also the "Power Stage" which awards additional points in the championship for the first five.
© 2021 AFP