Thierry Neuville insists that it is still “very early days” in the FIA World Rally Championship title battle, and he is not “panicking” over the points gap to championship leader Elfyn Evans.
Written by WRC
4/14/2025
The reigning world champion picked up a second podium finish of the season, finishing third last time out at Safari Rally Kenya – a result that lifted the Belgian to second in the championship standings after three rounds.
The Hyundai Motorsport driver however heads into the fourth round of the season at Rally Islas Canarias (24 – 27 April), 36 points adrift of early runaway leader, Toyota GAZOO Racing’s Elfyn Evans.
Evans’ impressive start to the season, including a runner-up finish at Monte Carlo followed by back-to back victories in Sweden and Kenya, has resulted in the Welshman building up a record WRC points lead after three rallies.
While Neuville has acknowledged Evans’ stunning start to the campaign, he is not hitting the panic button yet.
“It is very early days in the championship and honestly I’m not panicking,” Neuville told WRC.com.
“Elfyn has been very strong, but it is very rare to see such a strong run from somebody in three rallies in a row and we hope we can be stronger than him. We just need to avoid a bad result.”
Looking ahead to Rally Islas Canarias’ debut WRC fixture, the Belgian says he is feeling positive behind the wheel of the upgraded Hyundai i20 N Rally1 following an outing at the FIA European Rally Championship’s opening round, Rally Sierra Morena.
Hyundai will revert to its i20 N Rally1 2025 ‘evo’ package in the Canary Islands, which it last ran in Sweden after electing to use a 2024 upgrade specification in Kenya last month.
“The roads [at Sierra Morena] were really dirty but it was good to be in the car and learn a bit more about the tyres, definitely, and get more mileage with the modified car as well. I think it was a useful experience,” he added.
Elfyn has been very strong, but it is very rare to see such a strong run from somebody in three rallies in a row.
“I think, overall, I felt good in the car. It was good to get more mileage and the Hankook tyres were definitely better in the warmer conditions compared to what they did in Monte-Carlo, that’s for sure.
I think you need to have very good and precise pace notes [in the Canary Islands]. It will be mainly about car set up and car performance because everyone will be fast on Tarmac anyhow.
“There will be very similar stage conditions for everybody and the time gaps will be small, so the set-up will be the difference and maybe the tyre management.”
