The South Korean marque is running a reduced two car entry following the tragic dying of its third driver Craig Breen in a testing accident within the lead as much as the asphalt occasion.
The group solely elected to compete within the rally after cautious consideration and discussions with the Breen household, the Irishman’s surviving co-driver James Fulton, and group members.
Each vehicles pushed by Neuville and Esapekka Lappi are running a special tribute livery to honour Breen this weekend.
Neuville completed Friday’s eight stages with a 5.7s lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, with Lappi sitting fourth 33.4s behind his rally main team-mate.
“It’s a small signal of sunshine and a welcome one as a result of the entire group has needed to put in an enormous effort to be right here,” Abiteboul advised Autosport when requested to mirror on the day.
“There have been quite a lot of logistical challenges and emotional challenges, so it’s good, however it’s only day one.
“We really feel the automobile in nonetheless a bit behind on tarmac circumstances in order that have to be, when the time comes, a course for the longer term for what we have to do.
“As for right this moment, Thierry has pushed very persistently and he has proven an indication of wanting extra within the morning which is sweet and is an indication of his ambition for not simply the championship however this weekend specifically.
“As for Esapekka there was some attention-grabbing moments he has been a bit up and down. It’s a rally he doesn’t know that properly and it assume it’s truthful to say we had been anticipating one thing higher this afternoon than this morning and that’s what he did.”
Esapekka Lappi, Janne Ferm, Hyundai World Rally Staff Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
Neuville admitted it was a reduction to finish the day within the rally lead after witnessing his 16.1s morning lead lower following a cost from Evans throughout the afternoon phases.
“I’m joyful to be within the lead on the finish of the day and it’s the greatest end result we may count on after the robust days we’ve got had as a group,” stated Neuville.
“It was an enormous reduction once we crossed the end line and we came upon we had been nonetheless within the lead in order that may be very Positive. It hasn’t been a simple day in any respect and it will proceed with a harder day tomorrow.
“This morning was actually robust and we modified the dampers and so forth and I acquired a bit extra snug however I really feel like its shouldn’t be an enormous dedication, the place you’ll be able to go for the final couple of tenths which makes the distinction on the finish and Elfyn was at all times in a position to go barely quicker than me. However we nonetheless have the lead and that’s the factor to recollect.
“Tomorrow goes to be difficult. There’s a new stage which was actually soiled within the recce so with the rain that has fallen I feel tomorrow goes to be even harder than right this moment and we might be beginning additional down the sphere so the street might be extra soiled.”