© AFP
After the frozen roads of Monte Carlo, the snow walls in Sweden and the rough unpaved roads of the Safari Rally, the first real asphalt rally will be held from Thursday. The Rally of Croatia is the fourth round of the 2024 WRC.
One year after Craig Breen's fatal accident during the rally's reconnaissance, the WRC returns to Croatia. Hyundai Motorsport does not want to let this go unnoticed. The Irish flag will be seen on the cars of Neuville, Tänak and Mikkelsen. The team also organizes an auction of overalls, helmets and model cars. Proceeds will go to the Craig Breen Foundation. Thierry Neuville was in the lead last year until a slip ended his race. The Belgian previously finished third twice in Croatia. His teammate Tänak finished second twice.
“It's been a year since we lost you, but your spirit and passion still drive us every day. Craig, you are always with us every mile of our journey. We miss you.”
The best way to remember Breen is to win the rally. Neuville almost succeeded last year, until a slip put an end to that ambition. This year he wants to do better, although he realizes that he faces a difficult task.
“I love this rally, but it is not easy here. It is one of the most demanding asphalt rallies I have ever participated in. There are lots of blind turns, ridges and jumps – something very unusual for an asphalt event. The roads are very similar to Belgian roads, especially when it rains. The car must have the perfect setup for both wet and dry conditions due to the unpredictability of the weather. If the car feels the same here, then we have a chance of fighting for the win. But the goal is the podium. Finishing in the top three is crucial to maintain the championship lead,” concludes Neuville.
Neuville starts the Croatia rally as World Cup leader and is six points ahead of Elfyn Evans in the World Cup standings, who is again the leader at Toyota. Evans won the Rally Croatia last year and finished second in 2021 behind Sébastien Ogier, who will start again this weekend. Kalle Rovanperä, the winner of the Safari Rally, skips this race. Takamoto Katsuta is the third Toyota driver to start in Croatia.
At M-Sport, Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux wants to continue the trend of past rallies. Fourmaux finished third in both Sweden and the Safari. He is also third in the World Cup standings. The Belgians Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka will also start. “I'm looking forward to Croatia and being back on asphalt, the surface where I feel most comfortable. We had a very good pre-event test, where the feeling with the car was really encouraging,” said Munster, who joins with a Luxembourg license.
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