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Can Neuville repeat his 2024 WRC Acropolis Rally magic?
Thierry Neuville is confident he has the machinery and the speed to end Hyundai’s World’s Rally Championship victory drought at this weekend’s Acropolis Rally Greece.
The reigning world champion’s title defence is yet to ignite but this week sees the Belgian return to an event that proved crucial to the success of his 2024 title-winning season.
Last year Neuville pulled off a rare victory on Greece’s punishing gravel stages by starting from first on the road, having headed into last year’s round as championship leader.
This season, he arrives in Greece sitting fifth in the championship, 50 points adrift of series leader Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
The deficit could have been much closer had Neuville avoided a minor mistake that resulted in a retirement from the lead in Sardinia last month.
Although disappointed to leave Italy with only five points, the event confirmed he has the speed to challenge for victories, which bodes well for a rough gravel round in Greece, having also won here in 2022.
"Last year in Greece, we secured our second 1-2-3 finish for Hyundai Motorsport [for] a stunning weekend," said Neuville, who was also have the advantage of starting on cleaner roads being fifth on the road order.
"This year, we know we have a good car. The pace in Sardinia was there but we were really unlucky all weekend. It was frustrating for us not to transform that speed into a podium or a win.
"We will give it our all in Greece. It will be tough with the heat and we need to make sure we stay out of trouble. It’s rough on the car and the tyres, so we need to manage those elements.
"My goal is to outscore my opponents, but I would like to build some momentum and return to the podium."
Reflecting on his Sardinia disappointment, Neuville has revealed that part of his struggles this year has been adjusting to the new-for-2025 Hankook tyres.
The new rubber has proved to be durable in the toughest of conditions, although unlocking pace from the tyre has proved challenging.
"We cannot complain about the tyre in general, the strength of it," added Neuville.
"It is just for me the feeling is still not as I want it and that makes it a bit more challenging for me also to find the car set up.
"I will do some changes and nothing really improves. It was easier to feel the changes with the old manufacturer of tyres (Pirelli), to feel what is needed to make the car faster.
"I just don’t have the final touch. I can go fast and we have shown that, but it is not as simple as it was before. It will be ok in Greece as long as we stay out of trouble."
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