RallySport Magazine December 2016

made us happy.
Q: There was a lot of emotion this week, did
you find that distracting today?
SO: It’s hard to put the right words on
that. It’s nice to see what this sport and
this job brings in terms of emotions and
it’s hard to watch all the team at the last
service with tears in their eyes, knowing
we have all done this together and this
was the last time.
It’s a difficult time now, but we have
to look ahead. Sometimes things you
don’t expect are coming. But OK, I will
cherish this year and remember it
forever. Who knows what the future will
bring for us.
Q: You have a busy week ahead?
SO: Definitely. I’m glad you didn’t ask
me [about the future]: I have nothing
more to say, but it’s urgent and in the
next days and next weeks, hopefully
I will be able to tell you something as
soon as possible.
Thierry Neuville
Q: Thierry, congratulations on third place and
runner-up in the championship. How do you feel?
TN: I feel quite well. I couldn’t
imagine that I would be fighting my
mate Andreas to be second in the
championship. I expected a more calm
weekend. I was pretty sure the road
positions, well, I did not expect to be on
the podium and not expect Andreas to
be there.
After two or three stages, I realised if I
want to be second in the championship
then I have to push hard and I have
done that. Andreas has done very
well, leading nearly all the time. I had
no other choice but to go as fast as
possible.
I’m happy with this performance, we
achieved our goal and for Andreas it
doesn’t change much. He wins the rally
and this is important for him for next
year. I’m really happy to be with these
guys on the podium.
Q: How are the next few weeks looking for you?
TN: My agenda is more clear than
these guys. I am testing in the new
car for the first time on Tarmac next
Sunday, then we have our presentation
of the new car at Monza, a champions
day in Belgium where we race cars –
this will be fun.
There’s also a race show in Italy – I
enjoy every second of it. Sometimes
you realise how nice is our job, it
was the biggest dream for me to be
here. I have been twice second in the
championship and now there is only
one more place to go – I don’t know
when this will happen, but I’m working
on it.
Q: What have you learned about fighting for the
title?
TN: To be honest, I have learned a
lot. I have been working on myself for
the last couple of years. When I came
here [to Hyundai] the team’s objectives
were not always the same as mine: I
was ready for winning, but the team
was still learning. I made huge progress
with this at the end of last year and this
season I was back on pace.
We kept calm and when the car was
more reliable, we have been consistent.
This rally is five times in a row we have
been on the podium and we’ve gone
from eighth to second place in the
championship since the start. In my
driving, I’ve learned a lot. Here, I was
the first to follow Seb, so I could see
his lines. I have seen some interesting
things!
Sven Smeets
Q: Sven, this feels like the end of an era…
how are you feeling?
SS: A bit like the drivers… I am very
happy to end it like this. They gave us a
big battle. We hoped it would go to the
Power Stage, but it ended in the long
stage today.
This (Volkswagen’s decision to depart
the WRC) happens. When you work
for the big companies, they can make
these decisions. We will not be there for
the next three years, we have to look
forward.
Q: There’s been great support for Volkswagen
from all around the WRC…
SS: Fantastic. The WRC is always
the big family. We have done it when
Hyundai got their first victory in
Germany three years ago and they did
it for us today. Everybody is invited
to our farewell drinks tonight to be
together with us.
Q: How can you sum up Volkswagen’s
contribution to the WRC?
SS: Maybe we need a few Five hours! titles, I but
Dunkerton
don’t know. I hope we left a mark, the
doesn’t make
results speak for themselves. I hope in
Gover’s Top 10.
other ways, like the marketing, I hope
we will never be forgotten.
I want to add something quickly… I
just didn’t mention one thing. I made
my mistake, but I want to say a big well
done to Andreas and Anders, this was a
proper win and I didn’t say it.
If it helps them to be with us next
year – although also I don’t know if I
will be there! But these guys need to be
there.
DECEMBER 2016 - RALLYSPORT MAGAZINE | 19
PHOTOS: Peter Whitten