LISBON — Belgian driver Thierry Neuville revived his season after dramatically winning his first race of the year in the Rally of Portugal.
Neuville, the 2024 world champion, gave his South Korean stable Hyundai their first victory against the highly competitive Japanese Toyotas.
“It’s a very special one,” said Neuville according to AFP.
“After what happened in Croatia and the struggles we have had for a while, this one comes very well.
“We never give up, and that paid this weekend.”
The sixth round of the season came down to a duel between 37-year-old Neuville and Toyota’s nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier.
French driver Ogier, 42, had a 21.9sec advantage overnight until a puncture on the penultimate special, dropping to sixth in the overall standings.
In rainy and muddy conditions the Toyotas of young Swede Oliver Solberg, Welshman Elfyn Evans and Japanese Takamoto Katsuta were second, third and fifth respectively.
Neuville had a difficult start to the season including a final-stage crash in Croatia and no podiums in five rounds as Toyota won every race.
Portugal looked set to continue that pattern until Ogier stopped to change a right-rear puncture on the penultimate stage at Vieira do Minho.
Neuville, who had kept himself in the fight throughout a punishing weekend, finished with a 16.3sec lead on Solberg for his 23rd WRC victory and second in Portugal, eight years after his previous success.
Ogier, who as denied a record-extending eighth win in Portugal, added: “There are things you can’t control. It was hard luck. Of course, we deserved a little bit better.”
Championship leader Evans extended his lead over Takamoto Katsuta to 12 points heading to the next round in Japan later this month.
