Hyundai’s Neuville and Toyota’s Evans found themselves in an unprecedented situation on Friday night, sharing the lead with identical overall times after completing 119.74 competitive stage kilometers.
Neuville initially surged ahead, claiming three of the four morning stages to establish a 10.1-second lead over Evans. However, a puncture on stage six cost Neuville valuable time, allowing Evans to edge into a 1.6-second lead. In a dramatic turn, Neuville responded on the final test, matching Evans’s time to sit tied for the lead.
Despite the deadlock at the top, the competition remained fierce, with only 6.6 seconds covering the top three drivers following Sebastien Ogier’s impressive victory on stage eight. This intense battle unfolded against the backdrop of discussions regarding the future of the championship, particularly the Rally1 technical regulations.
The FIA proposed changes aimed at removing hybrid power and reducing car performance through adjustments in aero and air restrictor size, sparking strong opposition from the teams.
The close competition on display during the rally underscored the excitement and competitiveness of the World Rally Championship. Reflecting on the shared lead between Neuville and Evans, team representatives and drivers expressed admiration for the tight contest, highlighting the thrill it brings to the sport. Hyundai’s WRC program manager emphasized the significance of such close battles in showcasing the championship’s worth and excitement.
Evans, along with other drivers, advocated for maintaining the current Rally1 regulations, citing the successful track record of the technical formula in fostering close battles and exciting competitions over the years. Despite feeling he left some time on the table, particularly in the final stage, Evans expressed satisfaction with his performance on Friday. He acknowledged areas for improvement but overall deemed it a good day.
Neuville, who led for much of Friday, faced challenges recovering from the puncture and taming his Hyundai i20 N. Admitting he had to push to the limit in every stage, Neuville emphasized the intensity of the competition and the difficulties he encountered with his car’s balance.
Despite the setbacks, Neuville remained tied for the lead with Evans, determined to continue the fight in the upcoming stages, despite the looming challenge of rain showers expected to add to the complexity of the rally on Saturday.