Neuville’s co-driver Wydaeghe echoed the sentiment, adding: “It means a lot not only to me and Thierry but to the team. I think after what happened in Croatia we dropped very low and it took some effort to come back, but we have come back stronger and we showed again our never give up mentality.
“Thanks to the team as well as they have pushed very hard the last few weeks so they deserve it.”
Neuville has struggled for confidence behind the wheel of the i20 N Evo Rally1 car that has a narrow operating window. The difficulties to perform even led the Belgian to declare that this season as the hardest of his WRC career.
Now back on the top step of the podium, Neuville says Rally Portugal is proof to always carry on believing and to never give up.
“It has definitely been the most frustrating [time of my career[] for sure,” he added. “In the situation we are in, not knowing what is the future [for Hyundai in the WRC] and people leaving [the team], not winning and not getting podiums, for sure it is hard to be optimistic for what the future should bring.
”But again the rally has shown us this weekend we need to carry on believing, working hard and not giving up and we get the payback.”
Read Also:
WRC Portugal: Thierry Neuville ends Hyundai’s victory drought
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.