After WP4: Neuville strong on Croatian tarmac / WRC

As a Belgian, the current WRC leader loves asphalt, which he clearly demonstrated with his opening victory in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on the narrow mountain roads of the Monte Carlo Rally in the French Alps. Neuville now applied the skills he gained there to full effect at the first asphalt rally of the year in Croatia.

The first four of the 20 tarmac stages around the Croatian capital Zagreb featured part of an uphill battle between championship leader Neuville and his WRC teammate Elfin Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), who won in Croatia in 2023. Neuville he deftly fended off Evans’ attacks to protect his early lead of 8.6 seconds over Evans midway through the first of three rounds and after four decisions.

Despite his lead, Neuville did not seem satisfied: “The last step was probably cleaner. But I couldn’t push as much as I wanted. Conditions remain difficult and we must be cautious. This meeting does not lack its results.”

Here’s what Evans said: “Our tires are better at this stage. I was a bit careful on the descent, but it’s OK.”

Eight-time title winner Sébastien Ogier, who is making his second start in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 in his new interim program in Croatia, followed in third, 21.5 seconds back. “I liked the last test,” said Ogier, who won in Croatia in 2021. “We can be satisfied with our loop. We lost a bit of space, but I hope things will be better in the afternoon.”

Ott Tänak, still seeking justification to return to Hyundai, was 15.8 seconds behind Ogier in fourth place and said helplessly: “I don’t know. Not better than Monte Carlo. I have more problems than expected. Hard to find a rhythm. But the choice of tires was correct.”

WRC third-placed Adrien Fourmaux continued his fine season last season in Ford Puma Rally1 to finish 4.3 seconds behind Tänak in fifth. “I did what was possible. “I focused a lot on the tires,” was Fourmaux’s brief comment.

As we know, April does what she wants. Considering the drop in temperature, it is not surprising that participants reported snow on the third test (mid-April).

In his third attempt to win the WRC Master Cup title (for participants over the age of 50), former European champion (2001) and three-time German champion Armin Kremer, who also won the Asia-Pacific championship in 2003 , drove the Skoda Fabia RS P24 gave the lead by 4.6 seconds to the Italian brand’s colleague Mauro Miele, winner of the 2022 Cup ahead of Kremer.

Nikolai Gryazin, who drives under a Bulgarian licence, leads the WRC2 standings in a Citroën C3 Rally2 on P9 10.3 ahead of fellow Frenchman Yohan Rossel, who won WRC2 last year.

Rally Croatia on Red Bull TV:

The 2024 FIA World Rally Championship is coming to Croatia, offering a fast-paced display of motorsport skills, with the twists and turns of the road challenging enthusiastic participants – especially in wet conditions. Red Bull TV will be live at 10:00 pm CET on Friday, April 19, Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, for the fourth round of the season, the first asphalt meeting of 2024.

Rally Croatia on Servus TV:

Saturday, April 20, 2024:
10:00 am CET: SS 11 «Vinksi Vrh – Duga Resa 1» (8.78 km)*
5:00 pm CET: SS 15 «Vinksi Vrh – Duga Resa 2» (8.78 km)*

sunday April 21, 2024:
08:30 CET: SS 18 “Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec 1” (14.24 km)*
13:00 Uhr MEZ: WP 20 “Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec 2” (Power stage/14.24 km)

* Good knowledge of English is required