Photos: Thierry Neuville out of Rally Estonia after suspension damage
Hyundai started Saturday's WRC Rally Estonia stages well, holding all podium positions until the seventh stage, when Belgian pair Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul were forced to cut their rally short after sustaining significant damage to the suspension of their Hyundai i20.
On the rally's longest stage (20.36 km) in Prangli, many competitors had issues with ruts in the Southern Estonia roads. Elfyn Evans (Toyota) tore his vehicle's rear tire, taking with it a part of the Toyota's bodykit. Sebastien Ogier, also from Toyota, also lost a wheel on the roads of Prangli.
Estonian driver Ott Tänak's long-time rival and current teammate took the worst of the ruts however, as the Belgian man was able to finish, but not before sustaining significant damage to the car's suspension.
While Neuville has not officially retired yet, it is highly unlikely the car can continue, as the seventh stage was the first after a longer service break.
Neuville was also forced to retire from the last WRC event to take place before the coronavirus pandemic, Rally Guanajuato Mexico.
Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi (Ford) noted after SS8: "It's very rough.. my car is too low to be honest. If we go higher then we lose the downforce. We could have a compromise but it's not good for this stage."
Looks like it's game over for @thierryneuville after SS7 #RallyEstonia ????
— Rally Estonia (@RallyEstonia) September 5, 2020
Gutted for the belgian.. pic.twitter.com/Lu0gfvjRKF
❌ @thierryneuville is out of @RallyEstonia
— dirtfishrally (@DirtFishRally) September 5, 2020
What could this mean for his #WRC title aspirations?
???? @voiceofrally pic.twitter.com/U0yLfHQnKw
#RallyEstonia is out there collecting necks. Good to have @OfficialWRC back though. #WRCLive pic.twitter.com/2pvpatVDxr
— ???? Brian Stovall ???? (@brianstovall) September 5, 2020
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Editor: Kristjan Kallaste
