Neuville left nothing on the desk as he produced a blistering run to edge Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera by 0.9s in stage 20 to assert the 5 bonus World Rally Championship factors on supply.
It was an emotionally-charged run following the frustration of falling in need of the general rally victory, that he and the group have been dreaming of to honour Breen, who died in crash throughout pre-event testing final week.
Hyundai fielded a decreased two-car line-up on the occasion after consulting with Breen’s household, with each vehicles operating a particular tribute livery to the Irishman.
Though disenchanted to crash out of the rally lead on Saturday in stage 11, Neuville was decided to make Breen proud with a victory within the rally-ending Energy Stage.
“I’m simply so disenchanted for the group, for us, after the whole lot that has occurred,” mentioned Neuville.
“It’s a robust second, so we actually needed the victory to make Craig proud.
“Sadly, we missed the chance with our retirement from the lead on Saturday. We’ve got needed to give greater than 100%, and when you find yourself on the restrict you possibly can’t all the time keep away from such errors.
“We rejoined the rally this morning decided to combat within the Energy Stage. We gave completely the whole lot and that was for Craig.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
“I didn’t care in regards to the automobile I simply went for it making an attempt to do the quickest time doable.
“I used to be freaking on the market within the stage and on the finish it was a really emotional second for me and Martijn [Wydaeghe, co-driver], however this was what the final 10 days have been about.
“I’m happy that we have been right here at the beginning of this rally for Craig and I’m happy to placed on a present within the Energy Stage. For certain, I’m going to do not forget that one.”
Along with the Energy Stage win, Hyundai was represented on the rostrum with its sister automobile pushed by Esapekka Lappi, who completed behind eventual winner Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and M-Sport Ford’s Ott Tanak.
“Huge due to the group. It was not a simple resolution to come back right here for many of us, however we appreciated the chance to drive once more,” mentioned Lappi, who scored his first WRC podium driving for Hyundai.
“I do know it’s been actually robust, arguably one of many hardest weeks ever. We saved our heads along with a wise drive that enabled us to be on the rostrum. It’s a vital outcome for us and for the group.”