Mocked rally star requires a refund

Thierry Neuville thought the timing system was tricky at the start. Zumawire / mvphotos

World champion Thierry Neuville executed his car on Thursday’s second special stages, which is why his car’s maintenance stretched six minutes long on Friday morning. As a result, the Belgian received a minute penalty.

In addition, the reigning world champion was fined for ten seconds because he was considered to have taken a frank start in the fifth special stage.

Neuville insists that the latter be wiped out. According to the Belgian, the fraud departure was not his cause.

– The situation must be checked because we got a time penalty from too early. But in fact, there was a fault in the timing system, so we should get back for at least ten seconds, Neuville said after arriving at day care.

– Suddenly time changed, and I didn’t match the watches. At some point, we had to leave, and we didn’t really know the right moment. So we apparently left a little too early, Neuville said.

Ring offense

Neuville was disappointed that he had to leave immediately in the morning with a seemingly time sentence.

– The mechanics did what they could repair the car. But it is a lot when you have left a minute and 20 seconds. But on the other hand, this is a demanding race, so if you can afford it, here, Neuville said.

The Hyundai Belgian star is fourth after six special stages. He is one minute and 41 seconds from his teammate leading to Safari Rally Ott Tänak.

Neuville kept the second fastest pace in the morning jog if his penalties were not taken into account. However, according to the Hyundai driver, the loop did not go without problems.

– We got two tires that cost about ten seconds. It’s a little disappointing, but on the other hand we are now in the fourth place, so the morning didn’t go crazy about us, Neuville said.

On Friday, Kenya will run the same four special stages run again after a service break. The challenging Safari Rally ends on Sunday.