Thierry Nueville and Hyundai finally took their maiden victory of the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The Belgian triumphed in Tour de Corse, fourth round of the championship.
Sebastien Ogier was second despite more problems in the last day. Dani Sordo made it a rally to celebrate for Hyundai, picking up his first podium of 2017 – third place in Corsica, missing out on second position by just 1.3-seconds.
Starting Sunday morning with a seemingly comfortable lead of 39-seconds, Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul set about securing their advantage over second-placed Ogier.
Tackling the monster 53.78km Antisanti-Poggio di Nazza, the longest stage of the rally on the narrow and winding mountainside roads, the Belgians claimed their fourth stage win of the weekend.
Ogier hit trouble in SS9. Sordo and co-driver Marc Martí took second in stage and moved up behind their team-mates on the overall classification. Just 2.5s separated the Spaniards from the third placed M-Sport crew heading into the Power Stage. In a thrilling finale, it was Ogier who reclaimed second, leaving the Spanish crew to be content with third.
With four different winners in the opening four rounds of the 2017 WRC season, the Championship fight is well and truly open.
After retiring from the lead in Monte Carlo and Sweden, Thierry Nueville and Gilsoul finally took victory honours in Corsica
It put to rest the disappointment from those two opening rounds of the season, and reaffirmed the Belgian crew as ones to watch in 2017.
“It’s an amazing feeling to take the win here in Corsica this weekend. I am sure there are many people who share in this celebration with us. Not least the whole of the Hyundai Motorsport team. They have been so supportive of me since Monte Carlo and Sweden, and I’m really happy. This win is ours! It was a tough start to the rally with some struggles on Friday. But we worked through that methodically to return stronger. With Dani finishing third, we’ve picked up a healthy score of points which helps to get us back firmly into the title fight. An incredible weekend for us”, Neuville commented.
“An amazing feeling! Thanks to the whole team, who kept pushing me after Monte and Sweden. This one’s ours!” @thierryneuville #TourdeCorse pic.twitter.com/jiAmZ8g80T
— Hyundai Motorsport (@HMSGOfficial) 9 April 2017
