inherited the Rally Portugal lead with one stage remaining after World Rally Championship title holder Sebastien Ogier suffered a puncture on the penultimate stage.
Ogier headed into stage 22 seemingly heading in the right direction to attain an eighth profession Rally Portugal victory, outfitted with a 17.3s lead over Neuville.
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The nine-time world champion had managed to outlive the worst of the moist climate that arrived on Sunday morning, earlier than his rally all of the sudden unravelled.
Working by the penultimate stage, Ogier hit a rock within the line that prompted a proper rear puncture. Ogier and co-driver managed to finish a wheel change, however misplaced two minutes within the course of and dropped from the result in sixth total.
“It was very tough and there have been some rocks within the line. There have been rocks all over the place initially,” stated a annoyed Ogier.
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With one stage remaining, Neuville moved right into a 14.8s lead and was in pole place to say a primary win of the season for the Hyundai staff since final 12 months’s season finale in Saudi Arabia. Neuville got here near claiming a win in Croatia final month earlier than crashing out of the ultimate stage.
Sebastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Sebastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
“Nothing is finished but,” stated the 2024 world champion. “Thus far we’ve got performed the job, now we should end. We all know how to not do it [referring to his Croatia crash], now we must always do it.”
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The leaderboard underwent a extreme shake up as third-placed additionally suffered a puncture, and was pressured to cease and alter a wheel, which dropped the Finn to seventh total.
It meant Toyota’s jumped to second whereas championship chief inherited third, forward of Hyundai’s , who set the quickest time in stage 22.
took fifth, 14.2s forward of Ogier, whereas Pajari, , Martins Sesks and main WRC2 runner rounded out the highest 10.
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