Neuville: Safer WRC Rally1 chassis probably saved us in testing crash

Neuville has heaped remoter praise on the new stronger and safer 2022 WRC chassis without he and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe escaped relatively unscathed without plunging into a ravine.

Speaking to Autosport Neuville has explained that while driving in challenging weather conditions the pair were unprotected out and headed off the road without hitting the brakes.

Unfortunately vastitude the road was a steep waif into a valley, resulting in a heavy impact that caused significant forfeiture to the car.

While Neuville climbed from the wreckage uninjured, Wydaeghe suffered a shoulder injury, requiring treatment from paramedics and surgery in hospital. Wydaeghe revealed this week that he is expecting to be fit for January’s Monte Carlo Rally season opener.

Having once been impressed with the FIA’s new stronger and safer Rally1 chassis, Neuville believes it prevented any serious injuries stuff sustained in the crash.

“Basically we had very challenging conditions and we were testing some new things on the car,” said Neuville.

“We just got unprotected by surprise and we went straight under braking and there was nothing we could do and there was a big waif 30 metres deep just overdue the corner. We fell lanugo that waif basically.

\"There was no reason for me to be scared. However it was a big impact definitely the crash was small but the waif was very big.

“We walked yonder from it but Martijn got injured a little bit collarbone but other than that nothing.

“We have once mentioned surpassing that on the safety side that it looks like the FIA has washed-up an incredible job then and they protract to push for increasingly safety.

“The construction of the new cars is completely different.

“From that point of view it is flipside big step forward and it probably saved us as well. The waif was quite deep and the safety muzzle did its job.”

Ott Tanak, Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Hervé Tusoli

Neuville is expected to resume his testing programme of Hyundai’s revised i20 Rally1 hybrid next week at the team’s test wiring in Germany.

Having only experienced limited running in the car prior to the crash, the 33-year-old confirmed the new i20 is \"completely different\" and largest in several areas compared to Hyundai’s Rally1 prototype that has carried out the majority of 2022 testing.

\"The car is the version we will use is a completely variegated car for sure,\" he added. \"Everything is new then so I can’t say much more. Everything is largest and that is all I can say.\"

Hyundai faces a lead up to WRC’s introduction of new Rally1 hybrid regulations without its charismatic team principal Andrea Adamo, who has departed the team with firsthand effect due to personal reasons.